CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH

What is the birth control patch?

The contraceptive patch represents an innovative hormonal contraceptive method, whose mechanism of action is almost equivalent to that provided by the pill: the correct use of the patch not only ensures extraordinary prevention of unwanted pregnancies (equal to about 99%), but it also allows women to live a serene sexual life, free from anxieties and fears, the "enemies of" love ".

Application

How is the birth control patch applied?

The patch has a square shape, with sides of about 4.5 centimeters; it consists of an internal adhesive part (which allows the patch to adhere to the skin) and an external, waterproof part, designed both to support the hormonal pharmaceutical preparation and to protect it. Obviously, the adhesive part is protected by a thin layer that must be removed at the moment of application.
The contraceptive patch, subject to medical prescription, must be applied directly to the skin, which must be clean, dry, hairless, free of wounds, irritations or creams; generally the patch is applied to the buttock, shoulder, thigh or abdomen , but it should never be applied to the breasts.
Some important rules should be remembered for an even safer contraceptive effect:

the patch must always be placed in different points than the area where it was placed the previous time, in order to ensure maximum contraceptive efficacy and avoid skin irritation;

At the time of application, the woman should avoid touching the sticky part with her fingers;

Before adhering the edges of the patch to the skin, it is good practice to gently press the central area, containing the active ingredient, to the skin for a few seconds and, only after this simple operation, also grip the edges;

Store unused patches at room temperature.

When to apply the birth control patch?

The method of use of the contraceptive patch is very simple, (perhaps) even more than the pill, as it is more practical. In fact, if the pill must be taken approximately every day at the same time to ensure maximum contraceptive efficacy, the patch it must be applied only once a week, for three consecutive weeks, then leaving 7 days off (during which menstruation will occur). In other words, the first patch should be applied during the first day of the menstrual cycle and removed every 7 days for three weeks: during the fourth week, the woman will not have to use the patch, to allow menstruation.
The application and removal of the contraceptive patch should always take place on the same day of the week that the treatment was started, although it can be applied at any time of the day, not necessarily respecting a specific time.

Contraception after peeling of the patch

Occasionally and accidentally the contraceptive patch may come off: two cases must be distinguished:

The contraceptive patch comes off during the first week of use: if more than 24 hours have elapsed from the moment of accidental removal, it is advisable to start a new cycle and use a barrier method of contraception (condom), since the effectiveness of the patch could be compromised;

The patch comes off in the second / third week from the moment of the first application: if less than 48 hours have elapsed from the removal of the patch, a new transdermal patch can be applied to maintain the same contraceptive efficacy.

It is estimated that the probability of accidental detachment of the contraceptive patch is around 2%: the patch, therefore, must be replaced with a new one and it is absolutely not recommended to try to attach the damaged contraceptive patch again.