Using the Birth Control Patch to Prevent Unwanted Pregnancies

Many women find using contraceptives inconvenient and are also concerned about taking birth control pills. For such people there is another way to practice birth control and avoid unwanted pregnancies. It is the birth control patch. But what is a birth control patch and how is it used? Let's find out.

Birth control patches are the beige colored, thin square patches measuring four and half centimeters that work when you slap it onto your skin. These patches contain hormones that are slowly released into the woman's bloodstream. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone that are contained in the birth control patches help in preventing ovulation in women. When ovulation occurs during the monthly cycle, eggs are released from female ovaries and are fertilized during intercourse.

As the birth control patches prevent ovulation they are effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies and the woman can have intercourse safely without the fear of getting pregnant at all. The birth control patch affords added protection by thickening the mucus released in the cervix and this makes it tough for the sperm to reach the eggs. Moreover even if an egg is fertilized, even though it is very unlikely, the thickening of the uterus walls makes it difficult for the fertilized egg to get attached to the uterus wall.

To be most effective the birth control patch should be used properly and at the right time. It can be attached to the skin either on the buttocks, abdomen, torso or upper arm where it is not visible. To make it work you must put on the patch on the same day of the week, every week. Also the new patch is applied the following week near the location of the old one and not over it to prevent skin irritation. Avoid using it on cuts and bruises. For first time users it is safer to use additional birth control measures lest the patch comes off.

The birth control patches are usually safe but because they release chemicals into the user's bloodstream they have been known to cause some side effects like nausea, abdominal pain, headaches, tenderness of breast, high blood pressure etc. in rare cases. Therefore you must avoid using them if you face any such problems and consult your doctor. Some medication that you are already taking may also reduce the effectiveness of these birth control patches.

Women who are older than 35 years or those who suffer from diabetes, blood clots, hepatitis, high blood pressure and allergic reaction to the patches must avoid them or seek the doctor's advice before using them. The birth control patches are sweat and water proof and therefore they do not hinder your daily routine. However, they may come off if you apply soap or other skin care products on or around them.

Source:

http://www.familypact.org/Files/Provider/Client%20Education%20Materials/English/CEM_PatchInfoSheet_Eng01-14-2008.pdf