Let me start by making it clear that my experience is personal and that your body might react differently to birth control. Please explore different options and ask a doctor before making a birth control decision. With that being said, let me share my history with contraceptives and why I chose to try the patch.
The first memory I have of birth control was when my madre explained to curious pre-teen Luz that the small nude sticker I spotted on my brother’s girlfriend was actually, not a sticker, but a pregnancy preventative. I was shocked! My first thought; ew my brother is sexual? Ha; my second; how did that work? The conversation was already too awkward and I decided to do the research on my own, well with some help.
Seventeen and Cosmopolitan magazines taught me more about my body than sex ed ever did. Some of the important insights that still resonate with me are that the pullout method isn’t very effective, condoms could break (which they do!), and that certain birth control could actually help with irregular/painful periods.
I have always had very tolerable and regular periods so my male pediatrician never even brought up birth control. I have never been one to rely on men for much, especially when it comes to making decisions pertaining to my body, so I decided I wanted to start birth control on my own. I was sixteen when I made my first appointment at Planned Parenthood. A very nice female nurse practitioner informed me that the patch was not covered by my insurance. Therefore, I decided to take the birth control pill.
I took the pill daily, for three years and decided to stop using it after experiencing excruciating pain. I figured, since I wasn’t sexually active, a break from the hormones would do my body good. Technically speaking my body was addicted to the pill, which caused my mood swings to get out of control, I did not feel healthy.
A three year birth control hiatus and a handful of pregnancy scares later, I decided to try the patch in 2016. Like the pill and the ring; the patch is made of estrogen and progestin. These lady-like hormones prevent pregnancy by stopping eggs from leaving the ovaries and by making cervical mucus thicker. Combined, these reactions would prevent sperm from fertilizing eggs. According to Planned Parenthood, the patch can also protect you from acne, bone thinning, cancer of the ovaries and the uterus, cysts in the breasts and ovaries, anemia, pregnancy in the tubes, and PMS. What makes the patch unique? You only have to worry about changing it once a week!
Even though I would love to keep my body drug-free, I would rather keep it kid free. For every 100 women who use the patch perfectly for a year, only 1 will get pregnant. I chose to take my chances!
The patch (pictured above) sticks to the skin easily, one can choose between placement on the upper arm, buttock, or abdomen. You put the patch on at the beginning of every week for three weeks in a row. After the three week period ends, there is a patch-free week to allow your period to make an appearance.
The side effects that I experienced during my first month on the patch included minor headaches and itchiness where the patch is placed! The slight headaches began occurring on the fifth night, and have occurred at random times since. I chose to place the patch on my abdomen, where my jeans often meet it which I believe caused the irritation. Other user testimonials report experiencing nausea, but I have not experienced that thus far.
Another thing that I should note is that the patch can fall off if you aren’t careful. Even though it is very sticky, my jeans found a way to peel it off a handful of times (I quickly stuck it back on). I experienced no issues with the patch coming off in the shower or after a sweaty workout.
Changing the patch every week was an easy ordeal. Surprisingly, unlike a Band-Aid, removing the patch did not hurt, it peels off easily with a bit of force. You simply throw away the old patch and replace it with a new one.
My first period cycle was interesting. My period typically lasts about 2-3 days, after starting the patch, my periods lasted longer, usually 5 days. My discharge was darker than usual and my periods were accompanied by light cramping—nothing that interfered with my busy lifestyle.
Women who choose to use the patch, pill, or ring should keep in mind that the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, liver tumors, and strokes increase in comparison to women who use alternate contraceptives. Also, please keep in mind that condoms are the only contraceptive that could protect you from Sexually Transmitted Infections.
I will continue to use the patch because it is the most convenient option for me at the moment. I will be checking in with my doctor once I hit my third month cycle. I share this to help make your sexual reproductive health decisions easier. Remember, the best sex is safe sex. ;)