So, I had my first GYN appointment today, and I got a month’s worth of samples of the new Birth Control Patch, along with a year’s prescription.
Has anyone else tried the Patch, or am I the brave soul testing the waters on this?
I have been considering it - let me know how it goes.
What in the world is TMI about this?
Morelin, I got a script for them and the “starter kit” they give out at the Doc’s office back in early September with instructions to slap one on at my next period. Of course, I caught pregnant before that happened so I never started them. I’m a lot of help, huh? 
We talked about BC a bit in this thread, and no one there owned up to being on the patch. Maybe you are our guinea pig!
I’d also be interested in hearing how it goes. I’m currently off Depo, and switched to Yasmin. After years of not even having periods, it’s slightly amusing how quickly my body got back into the swing of things (so to speak).
Right now I’m taking antibiotics for an unrelated sinus infection, though, and the indication that it makes the pills less effective freaks me out. I’m assuming it’s related to absorption of the oral pill, as opposed to something hormonal. Do you know if there are similar issues with the patch, or is it like Depo where you could take any antibiotic you desired?
I have to say I tried the patch and I didnt like it. I wanted to try it because I sometimes forget to take my pills. I tried it for 1 month. They didnt stick very well to me and its kinda like having a band-aid on all of the time, except you cant change it when it gets nasty. I was always afraid that water was getting in there when I was in the shower too. It definately didnt work for me, but my gyno assistant said she loved it. It wont hurt to try, it just didnt work for me. Good luck!
Ok, maybe the warning was unnecessary, but I didn’t want to potentially gross out any guys if we got detailed.
If a mod wishes to remove the warning, they can go right ahead.
I strat the Patch as soon as my me cycle starts, so I’ll let you all know. As an aside it’s also my first form of hormonal birth control, so I’ll find out if I get any side effects as well/
I’d be interested to see how you like it, as I’m on the pill but looking for an alternative. I’ve forgotten numerous times to take it, and playing catch up by taking two the next day makes me violently ill (probably not a good thing, huh?)
I’ll have to ask about it when I find a new gynecologist (mine decided to up and retire at Christmas)
My main questions about the patch are whether it is uncomfortable after awhile, whether it actually stays on (those nicoteine patches I tried were a pain!) and what the dosage is – is it constant? Does it vary from week to week?
Let us know!
Thanks for being our guinea pig, Morelin!
I have yet to hear a positive patch story, but I do hope it works for you.
Please make sure to let us know.
I was sooooo excited to hear about the patch because I’m the world’s worst about remembering to take the pill (hence the Littlepotomus).
Wouldn’t ya know I’m allergic? I got a really gross itchy/scabby thing where the patch went. The good news is that the gyno sent me to a dermatologist who diagnosed that and some other little strange things I’d had (but ignored) as sensitive skin. It turns out I’m allergic to dyes, perfumes, and alot of chemicals.
Sorry I couldn’t give positive input, but I hope it works out for you!
You might want to check with your pharmacist to see if the particular antibiotics you’re on can cause a problem. At least that’s what my pharmacist told me last time I was on 'em. And I vaguely recall him saying something about taking them a few hours apart, but I could be pulling that out of my ass.
I’d be interested to know how it goes too Morelin. My SO is hesitant to take the pill because of the possible weight gain. I, of course, have no real say, but I’d rather her be on the pill for extra protection 
XJETGIRLX, I would have to say it is probably a lot like a nicotine patch. I have never tried one, but the thing is, they didnt stick very well, and you get that nasty fuzz all around the patch. Mine would always get a little wrinkle in it and then I would start worrying if the chemicals were getting washed out when I took a shower. I cant describe it any better than wearing a band-aid that you cant change for a week. Hopefully someone will have good luck with it, I just wasnt that fortunate.
I am too fat for the patch (above certain weights, efficacy is iffy). So I’m on the Nuvaring. It might be an option for some of you who like the idea of a once-a-month thing but are bugged by the patch.
Cranky, what is Nuvaring?
Instead of being lazy, I went and looked it up myself. Cranky, do you like it? Feel any discomfort at all? Anyone else who is interested, their website is www.nuvaring.com.
A friend who swims daily found that the supposedly “waterproof” patch couldn’t stand up to chlorinated water for more than ten minutes. Completely useless for her. I too have never heard a patch success story, but I iwsh you all the best, Morelin.
I clicked the soapy shower thumb and all I got was some crummy faq!!
I’m pretty happy with it. For the first day or so I swear I can feel it, and it feels like it’s lightly pushing against parts of my innards that I’d rather not have pushed (bowels and bladder). But then that feeling goes away.
It can stay in during sex, but if you want to take it out that’s fine. You’re still protected as long as it’s not out for more than 3 hours.
My only complaint is that there aren’t many people on it yet, so my pharmacy is having a hard time getting with the picture. Sometimes they have to order it, and then sometimes they put it in the fridge and can’t find it, and other times they don’t…
I’ve been using Nuvaring since August. So far, so good. You put in in for three weeks, then take it out for one week. Easy to deal with, easy to remember. They should have Ron Popeil be the pitchman for this - “just set it and forget it.” The starter pack also has a little timer with it that will beep twice a month - once when it’s time to take the ring out, and once when it’s time to put the new ring in.
Having taken Mircette, Yasmin, and Ortho Tri Cyclen previously, I would have to say that there are fewer side effects with Nuvaring. My pet theory is that the ring is a constant delivery system - your levels of hormone stay constant with the ring, since it’s always in. With the pill, the levels may vary slightly, since most people do not take their pill at exactly the same time every day. I seem to have far less mood swings on Nuvaring.
I take it out for sex. Mainly, this is because I have a shallower/shorter than average vagina, and there isn’t room in there for my SO and the ring. My SO always ends up wearing it by the time we’re done, sort of like ring-toss.
My only real complaint is that it has increased the amount of discharge I have, probably as the result of sticking a foreign object up there. Sorry, was that TMI?