Ive seen the commercials for it, and I was curious if anyone has tried it yet. I hate pills, and this seems like a good alternative. Does anyone know side effects what % effective it is, and such?
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Patch?
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FWC on the contraceptive patch
Go Ask Alice on the contraceptive patch (Columbia University, 2002)
MSNBC: Birth control patch linked to higher fatality rate (versus the pill)
Consumer Reports: Birth control: More & safer choices (Feb. 2005)
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It uses the same ingredients and hormomes as the pill, and the effectiveness is just about the same. The only concern is that it might come off, then you have to reapply it and that'll throw off ur pack count. My doc told me that it's for ppl who have trouble remembering the pill each day, which made me think, if they can't make something a DAILY routine, what will make them remember something once a week?
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I'm aware of how it works. The problem is that it depends on the person. Some people sweat more, with a slight diff sweat make up. It also depends on their skin: it's not right for everyone. I actuallly know someone who's patch kept coming off and wouldn't stick properly.
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I have to disagree. Occasionally the patch does come off. My wife has been using the patch for several years for hormon replacement therapy. In fact, when they prescribe it they usually prescribe a few extra in case they do come off (my wife is also a pharmacy tech and advised this is normal practice with the patch).
They are good for some people and not good for others. My wife gets a skin rash where ever she puts it that week. So has to rotate around where it is placed. It is good in that she can just stick it and really not worry about it most of the time. She looses one ever so often, because of extra showers, swimming, catching it on some piece of clothing, etc.
Since we don't use it for birth control I can't speak to its efficency in that regard. But I understand from the material provided with them, as well as other documentation I have read, that it is pretty much the same as the pill.
All forms of birth control have advantages and draw backs. You just have to find one (or more) that your comfortable with and realize that nothing (other than abstinance) is 100% effective.