The Birth Control Patch – Get Pregnant When You Are Prepared

The birth control patch is becoming very popular among the youth to prevent pregnancy. It’s nothing but a thin, beige, 1¾-inch (4½-centimeter) square patch that sticks to the skin. The birth control patch can be obtained through prescription. The patch releases hormones through the skin into the bloodstream which regulate a series of  action that finally prevent pregnancy.

What it does?

• It prevents release of egg.
• Thickens cervical mucus so that sperm have more difficulty swimming through the uterus
• Causes changes in the lining of the uterus to reduce the likelihood of implantation

Birth Control Patch, Gaining popularity …

The birth control patch is easily adopted by almost everyone and has now become a very popular birth control option, because of its easy, convenient and safe nature. There is no injection drawn in, no birth control pill to be taken.  It’s also reversible, once you remove it, you again have the tendency to become pregnant. They are fairly small in size and can be put on most body parts. The birth control patch is also waterproof. Unlike the birth control pills, the birth control patch has to be used once a week. For these reasons, a lot of women are turning towards the birth control patch

How does a Birth Control Patch work?

The birth control patch works in exactly the same way as other birth control means. The birth control patch is designed to continuously release a steady flow of synthetic estrogen and progestin through the skin and into the bloodstream to protect against pregnancy for 7 days (which is why a woman must replace it after each week). The birth control patch contains the same hormones found in the pill. This birth control patch concept has been in use for some years already, made popular with nicotine replacement and pain management therapies.

Is the birth control patch for me?

Not every woman is suited to use  birth control patch. In women with certain health problems, it may be safer to use other forms of birth control. In general, women who are 35 or older and smoke cigarettes, are diabetic, have  inherited blood-clotting disorders , suffer from migraine headaches with aura , have had a liver disease or have high blood pressure, are not advised to use this patch for their safety.

What makes it different from other birth control pills?

Most birth control pills and the Ortho Evra patch contain two different hormones that work together to help prevent pregnancy. The hormones from the patch are applied to the skin and are then absorbed into the blood stream. The Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch delivers more of the estrogen hormone into your body than you would get from a typical birth control pill. The patch serves as a visible reminder that you are using a means of  birth control. (If a patch falls off — you know to put another one on. It also tends to be a good reminder to change the patch at the right time.) It provides a weekly birth control method that does not require daily maintenance, like the birth control pill, or require insertion before intercourse, like a cervical cap.

As one enjoys great benefits from the birth control patch, at the same time there are some drawbacks and disadvantages of the same. There is a low incidence of side effects for those women who choose to use the birth control patch. These side effects will usually disappear after 2 to 3 months of use and may include:

• Mood changes
• Headaches
• Bleeding between periods
• Breast tenderness
• Nausea (sometimes with vomiting)

So, by now we have seen a clear cut distinction between the birth control patch and other birth control pills. In addition to the advantages attached to the birth control patch there are a few disadvantages but they are not as substantial as from the other birth control means.