A Question for the ladies on birth control....Sorry Guys...

[Dax]

I am thinking of going to the patch from the pill.....Has anyone had experience with it? Any weird side effects? Any advice....

 

[IloveDMB]

Was wondering the same thing, so I'm going to bump this up. Now I am looking more at the Seasonale (sp.) pill, where you only get your period 4 times a year. But I'd also like to hear about the patch.

 

[Samandmom]

Uhhh just a small side effect. My SIL got PREGNANT on the patch.

 

[myjulybabes]

Haven't tried it myself, but the most common side effect I hear about is skin irritation from the adhesive, ranging from mild, to so bad that she simply could not wear the patch any more, anywhere on her body. The rest of the side effects should be similar to the pill, since it's the same type of hormones, just going through your skin instead of your digestive tract.

 

[IloveDMB]

Originally posted by Samandmom
Uhhh just a small side effect. My SIL got PREGNANT on the patch.

WOW, seems like a "small" side effect to me

 

[mudnuri]

Tried the patch- oh god I HATED it....the sticky stuff wears off around the edges, so it almost feels like it's not going to stay on, the fuzz that sticks to it is gross. it's like a band-aid, you know when you take one off you have a bandaide mark- yup...thats what it's like!....

I switched from the patch, back to the depo injection. LOVE the depo. Only problem is 2 side effects- 1 you do not get your period, THATD BE ME!@!!!! or you can have your period for the entire 3 months....(not a full period, but spotting for 3 months)..

After DD6 was born, I went on Depo....stayed on it for 4 1/2 years, tried the patch....now back to Depo. Some people do experience weight gain of about 5 lbs a year, but I haven't been effected by that either.

Brandy

 

[ebaynut31]

I work in a pharmacy and the most common problem is how to keep it stuck on! Like mudnuri said, it feels like it will fall off. People have used the surgical tape and such to keep it on.

Now depo is great!!!! 10 years on it now. (wow that makes me feel old) and no problems other than I haven't had my period in 10 years. I'm ok with that though.

 

[Claire L]

Yup depo is certainly good, have been on it over 5 years now. No periods and no pain, such a relief for me. Can't think of any nasty side effects for me.
Claire

 

[LJC1861]

My sister in law was on it and it had a weird effect on her system.....the medicine in it depleted her white blood cell count and she almost died! She woke up one morning with blood blisters all over her body. Initially the Dr. thought it was an allergy to something. Then her spleen got enlagred and it needed to be removed. Then they discovered that lupus runs in her family and they pulled her off the depo immediately. It seems that there is some kind of connection between lupus and depo. I know it works famously for some, but if you are not feeling well while on it don't take it!

Now, as for the patch....I LOVE it. I tend to forget to take pills so the patch is ideal for me. I haven't had any of the non-sticky problems...I just make sure it is on REALLY well when I stick it on initially. One thing to remember when applying the patch. Make sure your skin is clean, dry and free from lotion or powder....these things can make the patch not stick.

Linda

 

[DMickey28]

I just finished my first month on the patch. I have been going back and forth on a few different pills for a little of a year because I am so sensitive to them. Suddenly too, I never was when I was younger.

The last pill I was on was great but if I was late taking by even two hours I would start to bleed, so my doctor and I decided to give the patch to try. I liked it. Like I said it's the first month, so I haven't really gotten used to it yet.

It takes a mental adjustement too, to believe something is working when you aren't really doing anything about it. I had the problem with the stickiness the first week, it was on my butt! (sorry!!) The next week I tried it on my upper arm, then switched to the other side. I liked it there the best because it didn't really rub agianist anything. I was worried at the end of the month, you know waiting but I figure if something doesn't work that has in the past or what not, HE has a bigger plan for me that I can't control!! It worked!

 

[Pop Daddy]

why are you saying "sorry guys" we love birth control

 

[browneyes]

Originally posted by Pop Daddy
why are you saying "sorry guys" we love birth control

We women love it more.

I've never used the patch, but I do have friends that have and they had problems with their hair thinning out (ie falling out) a little bit when they were on it.

 

[Pin Wizard]

With depo you have to be sure your blood pressure is in check. And if it's up when you're in the office, they won't give you the shot. I was going to go in this past week for a shot, but had one of those heart to hearts with darling heart throb who let me know HE had things taken care of! Woooooooooo hoooooooooo! What a guy!!

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by IloveDMB
Was wondering the same thing, so I'm going to bump this up. Now I am looking more at the Seasonale (sp.) pill, where you only get your period 4 times a year. But I'd also like to hear about the patch.

Just FYI, Seasonale is nothing more than a packaging gimmick. If your insurance charges more for brands than generics, have your doctor prescribe extra packs of "regular" BCPs, and take them back-to-back instead of taking a week off.

 

[JustHolly]

I have used the patch for a year and a half now with no problems. The first few weeks, it felt itchy and I got a small rash. Now, no problems, but they sometimes get unstuck or get lint on them from my clothes.

No side effects different from the pill, and its much easier to remember once a week rather than every day. My periods are more predictable with the patch than the pill... I know exactly what day and what HOUR it will start. I LOVE that!

 

[Ellester]

One thing to remember about Depo is that it can take a long time to become fertile again if you are trying to have another. My doctor never told me about that when I went on Depo after my first dd was born. It took over a year off of it before I became pregnant again. Just something to consider if you are not done for good.

~Ellen

 

[CBRorBust]

Uhhh just a small side effect. My SIL got PREGNANT on the patch

I'll second this side effect. My friend got pregnant on the Patch. She had been on the pill for years too, so she was NOT happy about it. Well, she was happy she was going to have a baby, just not the timing of it.

 

[goofygirl]

There's a Birth Control board on iVillage.com you can check out too.

I have no experience with the patch, I'll stick with the Pills, thanks! I can see I'd be paranoid and worried about the patch coming off, not to mention getting pg (ick!)! Taking a pill every day is no big deal for me. I can't understand why some people forget. Its not that hard a thing to remember!

 

[Kismetdreams]

I've been on the pill since my DD was born over 9 years ago, after a oops with a condom. I have given consideration to the patch, the shot, those sticks they put under your skin (ICK) and about the 2 dozen other options that have come and gone over the years, and for me, the option of having complete control over my birth control is vital, so I have stayed with the pills.

I find that if I put my pill pack out on the counter next to my tooth brush, then I never forget to take it.

 

[Dax]

I figure I am going to try it a mont or two and see how it goes. I had tons of issue on the pill as in weight gain and other things.

My dr finally put me on Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO and that worked great. Low hormone count so I didnt get all wacky..

I figure I will go to the patch. Hubby and I are hoping to try for a child anyway, so in the unlikely event I do get preggers, I can deal ok I think...

Someone mentioned a message board....Could I get a link?