Birth control patch: Side Effects & Benefits
Side Effects
The Positive
There are actually lots of things about the patch that may be good for your body as well as your sex life:
- Easy to use—it's like putting on a Band-Aid
- Doesn't interrupt the heat of the moment
- Might give you more regular, lighter periods
- May clear up acne
- Can reduce menstrual cramps and PMS
- Offers protection against some health problems, like endometrial and ovarian cancer, iron deficiency anemia, ovarian cysts, and pelvic inflammatory disease
- You don't have to see a provider to stop using it. You can just take the patch off and be done.
- You only have to remember to do something once a week, not every day like you would with the pill.
The Negative
Everyone worries about side effects, but for many people, they're not a problem. Most people who do experience side effects of the patch find that they usually go away with time. It can take a few months to adjust.
Side effects that will probably go away after two or three months:
- Bleeding in between periods
- Breast tenderness
- Nausea and vomiting
Things that may last longer:
- Irritation where the patch sits on your skin–-if this happens, you'll need to stop using the patch
- A change in your sex drive
For a very small number of users there are risks of more serious side effects like blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. If you have abdominal pain, chest pain, a severe headache, sudden changes in your vision, or severe pain in your calf or thigh, contact your health care provider or get emergency care right away.
In addition to potential side effects, there are some disadvantages to using the patch:
- Not easy to hide
- You have to remember to do something once a week
- Doesn't protect against STIs
Articles & Videos
Provider Perspective
Which Medications Can Mess with Birth Control?Certain meds do interfere with birth control—not most antibiotics, though.
