Looking for a form of contraception that suits you? Between all those different types, it can be difficult to ‘the one’ to find. The contraceptive patch is one of these types. Have you never heard of the contraceptive patch, or do you want more information? Read everything you need to know about the contraceptive patch here.
What is a contraceptive patch?
The contraceptive patch, also known as a hormone patch, is a beige or transparent patch that you stick to the skin. In the Netherlands it is available under the name Evra. The contraceptive patch contains the hormones progestogen and estrogen. These hormones enter your blood through your skin. This protects you against unwanted pregnancy.
How does the contraceptive patch work?
Stick the contraceptive patch to a clean and dry area of skin. This is allowed anywhere, except on the breasts or thighs. A contraceptive patch works for one week. You replace the contraceptive patch on the same day every week. In the fourth week you do not stick a patch and you have your period. Bad timing for a period? You can also skip your stop week by sticking a plaster in the fourth week. You won’t get your period (fieuw).
But what about the reliability of the contraceptive patch? This form of contraception is very reliable. When you replace the patch weekly, the chance of pregnancy is 0.3%.
The advantages and disadvantages of the contraceptive patch
Advantages of the contraceptive patch:
- You just have to once a week to think about your contraception.
- You know when you’re going to have your period
- You can possibly delay your period
- The contraceptive patch also protects against pregnancy when you vomit or suffer from diarrhoea
- You can continue to swim, exercise or go to the sauna with the plaster on
Disadvantages of the contraceptive patch:
- You can forget to put on a new contraceptive patch.
- You can see the contraceptive patch on the skin.
- You should not use any cream, oil or lotion on the site of the contraceptive patch.
- The contraceptive patch does not protect against STIs.
- The contraceptive patch is not suitable for everyone. This applies, among other things, to smokers, people who have had thrombosis or have a BMI over thirty.
- The skin under the patch may become irritated.
- You may experience side effects.
Side effects of the contraceptive patch:
The most common side effect of using the contraceptive patch is vaginal bleeding outside the gap week. This side effect occurs in 10 to 30 out of 100 people.
The next side effects occur in one to ten in a hundred people for:
- Vaginal bleeding outside the gap week
- Stomach ache
- Headache or migraine
- Nausea
- Sensitive or painful breasts
- Weight gain
- Mood changes
Fortunately, not everyone suffers from these side effects. If this is the case, they often disappear after three months. Isn’t this the case? Then talk to your doctor. Perhaps this form of contraception is not the most suitable for you. Hopefully, after this article, enough information about the contraceptive patch has stuck with you. Is the contraceptive patch not your thing? No worries. There are plenty other forms of contraception the yes ‘the one’ can be for you.
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