Contraceptive patches – action, effectiveness. How to use the contraceptive patches?

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Contraceptive patches are a method of contraception for women who want to protect their liver. It is also called the transdermal (through the skin) method. The hormones in the contraceptive patches pass through the skin directly into the bloodstream.

The contraceptive patch contains the same hormones as many birth control pills, which are synthetic hormones that are equivalent to estrogen and progesterone. These hormones stop ovulation.

In addition to inhibiting the release of eggs, hormones increase the production of cervical mucus, which inhibits sperm movement.

Read: Estrogen protects women against stomach cancer

The effectiveness of the contraceptive patch is also impaired as a result of:

1. incorrect use of the patch,
2. taking antibiotics such as rifampicin, isoniazid and rifampicin
3. taking HIV medications,
4. taking griseofulvin, an antifungal medicine
5. taking certain antiepileptic drugs
6. the use of St. John’s wort.

Incorrect storage conditions may also make the contraceptive patch less effective. It is important that the patches are kept at room temperature and protected from the sun. Do not open the package until it is time to apply the patch.

If the contraceptive patch falls off a few days before changing it, this may also make it ineffective. In women weighing 90 kg or more, the contraceptive effectiveness of the product may be reduced.

See: Contraception and pregnancy. How Does Contraception Affect Pregnancy?

Advantages of using the contraceptive patch

The contraceptive patch is a convenient form of contraception. Instead of taking a tablet every day, it is enough to replace the patch with a new one once a week. People who decide to become pregnant can also easily stop using the patch.

In addition to preventing pregnancy, the contraceptive patch has other benefits:

1. reduction of strong contractions,
2. relieving the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS),
3. cause less heavy menstrual bleeding,
4. prevent anemia,
5. prevention of cysts in the breasts and ovaries,
6. prevention of certain types of cancer.

Before starting hormonal contraception, it is worth buying a genetic test. Aware woman before contraception. It turns out that certain gene mutations can make a big difference in choosing the best method of contraception for you. The test allows to identify gene mutations that should be taken into account when selecting contraceptives.

The editorial board recommends: What should you know about breast screening?

The transdermal patch should be pressed firmly with the palm of the hand against the skin so that it adheres well along the edge. Do not apply makeup, creams, oils, powders, or any other cosmetics or topical medications to the areas of skin where the transdermal patch or patch will be applied or will be sticking immediately to prevent these from affecting the adhesive properties of the patch. It is recommended to check daily that the transdermal patch is sticking properly.

See: Hormonal contraception and its effectiveness

You can change your contraceptive patch at any time on your designated “Patch Change Day”. The fourth week of no patch starts at “22. day of the cycle “.

The new contraceptive patch cycle starts on the first day after the end of the patch-free week. The next patch should be still applied, even if there is no withdrawal bleed or if withdrawal bleeding is not over.

Under no circumstances should the interval between the cycles of using the contraceptive patch be longer than 7 days. If the break is longer than 7 days, contraceptive action may not be effective. Then it is necessary to use a non-hormonal method of contraception for 7 days at the same time.

The risk of ovulation increases with each day longer than the recommended interval in application of the patch. If sexual intercourse took place longer than the 7-day break in using the patch, you should take into account the possibility of becoming pregnant.

Also check: Contraception in Polish. How do women protect themselves most often? At all

Contraceptive patches – instructions for use

The use of the contraceptive patch begins on the first day of your period. One contraceptive patch should be put on and worn for a week (7 days). The day the patch was first applied (“Day 1” / “Starting Day”) will be designated as “Patch Change Days”.

The “patch change day” must always be on the same day of the week (this is the 8th, 15th, 22nd day of the cycle and the “day 1” of the next cycle). In the fourth week (from day 22), no contraceptive patch is applied. If the first cycle of application of the patch begins after the first day of the menstrual cycle, an additional non-hormonal contraceptive method should be used at the same time.

Editors recommend: Menstrual calendar – phases of the menstrual cycle. How does the menstrual calendar work?

In case of complete or partial removal of the contraceptive patch

If the contraceptive patch becomes partially or completely detached, the active substances of the product are insufficiently delivered. If the patch comes off even partially:

1. for a period of less than one day (up to 24 hours): re-stick it in the same place immediately or use a new one. There is no need to use an additional method of contraception. The next transdermal patch should be applied as usual on “Patch Change Day”.
2. for more than one day (24 hours or more), or if the woman has not noticed that the transdermal patch, patch or patch has come off, may not be protected against pregnancy. The current cycle of contraceptive use should be discontinued and a new cycle of use should be started immediately by applying a new patch. So there is a new “Day 1.” and a new “Patch Change Day”. It is necessary to use a non-hormonal method of contraception in the first 7 days of the new cycle.

Contraindications to the use of the contraceptive patch

Combined hormonal contraceptives should not be used in the following cases. If you experience any of the following problems while using the contraceptive patch, you should stop using it immediately:

1. the presence or risk of venous thromboembolism,
2. venous thromboembolism – active venous thromboembolism (treated with anticoagulant medicinal products) or previous history, e.g. deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism,
3. known hereditary or acquired predisposition to venous thromboembolism, e.g. resistance to active protein C (including factor V Leiden), antithrombin III deficiency, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency,
4. extensive surgery associated with long-term immobilization,
5. high risk of venous thromboembolism due to multiple risk factors,
6. the presence or risk of arterial thromboembolism,
7. arterial thromboembolism,
8. active arterial thromboembolic disorders, previous arterial thromboembolic disorders (e.g. myocardial infarction) or prodromal symptoms (e.g. angina),
9. cerebrovascular disease – an active stroke, a history of stroke or a history of prodromal symptoms (e.g. transient ischemic attack, TIA),
10. known hereditary or acquired predisposition to the occurrence of arterial thromboembolic disorders, e.g. hyperhomocysteinemia and antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant),
11. migraine with a history of focal neurological symptoms,
12. high risk of arterial thromboembolism due to the presence of multiple risk factors or the presence of one of the serious risk factors, such as: diabetes mellitus with vascular complications, severe hypertension, severe dyslipoproteinaemia,
13. hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients of the product,
14. diagnosed or suspected breast cancer,
15. endometrial cancer or any other cancer that is known to be estrogen dependent or suspected to be estrogen dependent
16. liver function disorders related to acute or chronic liver cell diseases,
17. liver adenoma or cancer
18. undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding,
19. concomitant use of medicinal products containing ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir.

Side effects of using the contraceptive patch

For most of us, the contraceptive patch is a perfectly safe form of contraception. However, the contraceptive patch contains hormones that can cause side effects in some people. Some common side effects include:

1. breast tenderness
2. fungal infections of the vulva and vagina (vaginal candidiasis),
3. nausea, abdominal pain, gas
4. spotting,
5. skin irritation at the patch application site
6. mood disorders
7. anxiety disorders,
8. insomnia,
9. decreased libido,
10. headaches, migraines, dizziness,
11. acne, rash, skin reaction
12. muscle cramps,
13. malaise, fatigue,
14. weight gain.