Birth+Control+Patch

Weronika Soltysiak ** Birth Control Patch ** ** What is the birth control patch? **  The birth control patch is a form of birth control. Birth control includes any techniques and methods that are used to prevent fertilization or prevent pregnancy at various stages. The patch is a form of birth control called contraception, also known as the prevention of fertilization. The birth control patch is a thin, beige, and 1¾-inch square patch that sticks to the skin on a woman. It releases hormones through the skin into the bloodstream, which then prevent pregnancy. Hormones are chemical substances that control the functioning of the body’s organs. The patch contains the combination of progesterone and estrogen which prevents ovulation. Ovulation is the release of an egg from a woman’s arteries, and is necessary in order to get pregnant. When sexual intercourse occurs, the woman will not get pregnant while on the patch because the egg will not be released, and there will be nothing for the sperm to fertilize. The only currently available contraceptive patches are “Ortho Evra”, marketed in the United States by Ortho-McNeil, and Evra, marketed in Canada by Janssen-Ortho and in the United Kingdom and other countries by Janssen-Cilag. (Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2011)

**How does it work?** The birth control patch works very similarly to other forms of birth control, such as the pill or the ring. A woman will use the patch based on her monthly menstrual cycle. She will put on the patch either on the first Sunday after the menstrual cycle begins, or on the first day of the menstrual cycle. The patch will be worn for three weeks and the woman will change the patch once every week. On the fourth week of the month, the woman will start menstruating and the patch does not need to be worn. (Trussell, 2007) The patch is generally applied only to four areas of the body: the upper arm, the upper torso (but not the breasts), the abdomen, or the buttocks. Ongoing studies have shown that the birth control patch is just as effective as the birth control pill, which is the most commonly used type of birth control. Studies state that eight out of every one hundred couples will experience an unintended pregnancy during the first year of using the birth control patch. This statistic is the same for other forms of birth control as well. (Planned Parenthood, 2011) Using the patch correctly is extremely important because it greatly affects a woman’s chance of getting pregnant if she is having sex without a condom. If used incorrectly, then a woman is more likely to get pregnant. Some of the ways people misuse the patch is by either missing or delaying the application of the patch which increases the chance that a woman will become pregnant because it reduces its effectiveness.

**Important facts** Just like any other form of birth control that is available, the birth control patch does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The only way that STDs can be prevented is if a condom is used during sexual intercourse. (American Pregnancy Association, 2005)

**Side effects** The birth control patch is a safe and effective method of birth control. Most women who use the patch do not experience any side effects. However, as with all birth control drugs, there can be some side effects. The main reason women experience side effects is if they smoke cigarettes while on the patch because it increases their risks. Doctors and health professionals advise women not to smoke if they are taking the pill. Also, the side effects of the patch are very similar to those of the birth control pill. Some of these side effects include: irregular menstrual bleeding **,** nausea, headaches, dizziness, breast tenderness **,** mood changes, and blood clots (these are rare in women under 35 who do not smoke, but there may be a higher risk with the patch than with the pill). ( Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2011) There are also some side effects that women can experience from using the patch, which they would not experience had they been using the pill. These include: skin reactions at the site of application of the patch, problems with contact lens use – a change in vision or inability to wear the lenses, and menstrual cramps. However, most of these side effects are very mild and tend to disappear after two or three months. There have also been studies that have shown that the patch decreased slightly in effectiveness in women over 190 pounds. It is very important for women to tell their doctors if they either smoke or experience any negative side effects, since it could be related to a more serious health issue. Therefore, there needs to be an open communication between the doctor and the patient, so that these matters can be addressed.

** Benefits ** Since the birth control patch works similarly to that of birth control pills, many of the benefits are the same as well. This includes the woman experiencing a lighter, shorter, and more regular period. It may also decrease cramps, reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, and can clear up acne. The patch is very simple and convenient to use because it only needs to be applied weekly. Women who decide to use the patch instead of the pill want something more convenient than taking a pill once a week. This is the major reason women decide to use the patch because it’s just an easier form of birth control. When a woman stops using the patch, her ability to become pregnant returns very quickly. (Mayo Clinic, 2010) Although the patch is effective at preventing pregnancy, it does not protect against STD’s or STI’s, so that is not a benefit of the patch.

** How to Get It ** A woman can get the birth control patch by seeing her doctor, and then the doctor (or nurse practitioner) must prescribe the patch. The doctor will first ask questions about medical history and family. Sometimes the doctor will also do a complete physical exam, including measuring the woman’s blood pressure and doing a pelvic exam. After the doctor recommends the patch, he or she will write a prescription and also give instructions on how to use it. There is usually no follow-up after receiving the prescription; however, sometimes the patient may be asked to return after a few months for blood pressure measurement to make sure that there are no problems. Women should also attend routine examinations once or twice a year to ensure that no problems arise from using the patch. (Mayo Clinic, 2010)

**References** 1. American Pregnancy Association. (2005). //Birth Control Patch//. Retrieved April 4, 2011 from __http://www.americanpregnancy.org/preventingpregnancy/birthcontrolpatch.html__ 2. Mayo Clinic. (2010). Ortho Evra (Contraceptive Patch). Retrieved April 4, 2011 from __http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ortho-evra/MY01006/DSECTION=what-you-can-expect__ 3. Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2011). //Ortho Evra//. Retrieved April 4, 2011 from __ http://www.orthoevra.com/is-patch-take-to-doctor.html __ 4. Planned Parenthood. (2011). //Birth Control Patch (Ortho Evra).// Retrieved on April 4, 2011 from __http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/birth-control-patch-ortho-evra-4240.htm__ 5. Trussell, James (2007). Contraceptive Efficacy. In R.A. Hatcher (19). //Contraceptive Technology//. New York: Ardent Media. 6. Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch. (2011). [Image]. Retrieved from __http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/296/16/1958.2.extract__