Can I use the patch if I'm overweight?

The patch is not indicated for women with a BMI of 30 or above. If you intend to take birth control for pregnancy prevention, the pill or NuvaRing are the best alternatives because they are consistently effective regardless of weight. You also need to understand that most drugs in the patch affect people differently depending on their body type. Some bodies can handle the patches well while others may have problems with them.

Here's what the patch can't protect you against: If you're obese, you should still exercise and eat a healthy diet to reduce your risk of other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. The patch will not make up for the effects of a poor lifestyle.

If you do decide to use the patch, be sure to ask your doctor about any restrictions or changes that might be needed based on your weight or body type.

Is the patch safer than the pill?

Because the patch contains 60% more estrogen than the pill, it raises the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and stroke. Overall, your chances of experiencing one of these significant side effects are quite low. However, if you do experience one, you would need to stop using the patch immediately. A doctor could prescribe a new dose of birth control pills if you experienced such a serious reaction.

The patch has been available for over 20 years. It has many advantages over the pill including being easier to use and less likely to cause headaches or nausea. The patch also allows for better control of your hormone level by applying each week instead of every day as with the pill. Finally, if you forget to put on the patch one night then you can still be effective the next day rather than needing to start all over again with the pill.

Although the patch increases your risk of having a serious side effect, it does give you greater protection from pregnancy. This is important for women who want to avoid the side effects of the pill but still obtain this benefit.

Women with breast cancer, those who have had a heart attack, or those who suffer from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) should not use the patch.

Is the patch or pill better?

The patch and the pill are both equally effective in preventing pregnancy. Your chances of becoming pregnant are determined by how well you adhere to the instructions. Fewer than one in every 100 women will become pregnant in any given year if they take the pill or use the patch as advised. However, some women may experience side effects when taking either form of the birth control pill.

The patch works by blocking the production of estrogen at the beginning of your cycle. This prevents ovulation from occurring which should help prevent pregnancy. The patch needs to be applied daily over most of your body including your face. It can be removed in the same way as a band-aid after it has done its job. It can be re-applied after washing off any residue with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

The pill also works by blocking the production of estrogen. But instead of applying a patch, you only need to swallow a tablet each day. There are several different types of pills available that work by preventing ovulation (birth control pills), inhibiting sperm from reaching the egg (condoms), or preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterus (IUDs and IUVs). All these methods are effective forms of contraception. It is important to understand that although these methods protect against pregnancy, they do not provide full protection against STDs. You would still need to avoid sexual contact with an infected partner.

Does the patch affect your mood?

Because the patch contains the same hormones as birth control pills, women who use it may have the same negative effects. Breast soreness, nausea, headaches, and mood swings are more likely to occur when a woman first begins using the patch. These symptoms usually go away after several days without the patch.

Women who use the patch for more than three months may experience weight gain, increased appetite, insomnia, depression, anxiety, irritability, or other changes in mood. If you experience any change in mood while using the patch, stop wearing it and call your doctor right away.

You can wear the patch daily over most of your body including your face. However, do not put it in areas where you would not normally be able to feel pain such as behind your ears or on your scalp. Removing patches during sleep will help ensure that you don't miss any patches. Otherwise, you might wake up feeling nauseated or sick to your stomach because some people find that it feels like they're not wearing a patch at all during these hours.

If you plan to take the patch off and then back on again within seven days, there is no need to remove it before you go to bed. Just put it back on next morning at the same time.

How effective is the transdermal patch?

The patch is more than 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy when worn appropriately. Each patch is good for one week. Women should not wear the patch for longer than that or they will begin to show signs of removal.

Transdermal patches are the most effective method of birth control available. When used as directed, they can protect against pregnancy for up to a year. Transdermal patches work by delivering hormones into the blood stream through the skin. The patches are applied once a week at the same time each week. Some women may experience some skin irritation when using this type of patch, especially if they have sensitive skin. If you do experience any skin problems while using the patch, apply a new one to continue protecting yourself from pregnancy.

About Article Author

Leo Nash

Dr. Nash has had a long career in the medical field. He has been an ER doctor for over 20 years, and loves the challenge of treating patients who are injured or sick. He also enjoys working with other doctors in his department, as they all help each other learn new things about health care.