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It’s Time to Catch that Birth Control Patch

Birth control patches can provide a discreet and convenient form of long-term contraception, but how do they work? Read our latest blog for a better understanding of how the patch works and what some of the pros and cons of use can include. It’s time to catch that birth control patch!

What is the Birth Control Patch?

From a health perspective, a birth control patch is an often-overlooked form of contraception that’s both convenient and discreet. It’s not as bothersome as remembering a pill daily, yet just as effective if used properly. This thin, beige patch sticks to a woman’s skin, delivering a dose of contraceptive hormones to prevent pregnancy every day. It offers an easy and hassle-free way for women to ensure their reproductive health.

How Does the Birth Control Patch Work?

It works quietly and effectively, using hormones to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant. The patch is stuck directly on the skin and releases estrogen and progestin into the body, traveling throughout the bloodstream. The hormones regulate ovulation, the thickening of the cervical mucus (which keeps sperm from reaching an egg) and thinning of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) – all working together to prevent pregnancy. The patch is replaced every week for three weeks, followed by a week with no patch to allow for a period. If used properly, it can provide up to 99% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.

Woman applying birth control patch to arm.

The Patch: The Good and the Bad

Is there a catch to the birth control patch? The patch is an increasingly popular method of contraception. Like all contraceptives, it has their pros and cons.

Five pros of the birth control patch include:

  • Easy to use
  • It helps ease period pain and cramps
  • Can help to treat iron deficiency by reducing bleeding with periods
  • Minimizes acne breakouts
  • Requires less frequent attention than other birth control methods

Five cons of the birth control patch include:

  • Breast tenderness (more common during the first few weeks)
  • It can cause nausea and headaches, though these are rare side effects
  • Increased risk for blot clots (primarily in those who have diabetes, smoke, or have a history of blood clots)
  • Irregular bleeding or spotting can occur, especially in first month
  • Mild skin irritations can occur

All in all, the birth control patch may not be as well known as the pill, but if you’re looking for a low-maintenance contraceptive, it may be time to catch that patch!

Less to remember, more to enjoy! Explore birth control patch studies.

Looking for an exciting way to ensure your contraceptive needs are met while contributing to vital medical advancement? It’s time to catch that birth control patch – consider participating in birth control patch studies at Seattle Clinical Research Center. Who knows, the birth control patch might be your perfect match. To learn more visit our website or call us at (206) 522 -3330 ext. 2 today.

Resources:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/does-the-birth-control-patch-work/

https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control/contraceptive-patch-vs-pill

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm

 

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