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Birth control patches are a contraceptive that is applied to your skin (transdermally), where it slowly releases hormones that reduce your risk of becoming pregnant.
The two female hormones that it releases into your bloodstream through your skin are called norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol, and the way that birth control patch contraceptives deliver hormones to your body is a different distribution pattern than alternative birth control methods, like pills.
Generally, most people refer to this type of treatment simply as ‘birth control patches’, but the actual brand name for birth control patches available through Felix is Evra.
If you’d like to learn more about transdermal birth control patch contraceptives, you can click here to explore more treatment information.
When considering birth control patches, how it works is actually two-fold:
- Birth control patches inhibit the monthly release of an egg by your ovaries.
- Birth control patches also change the mucus created by the cervix, which slows the movement of sperm through the mucus into the uterus, making it harder for sperm to fertilize eggs.
Together, through both of these facets, birth control patches drastically reduce your risks of becoming pregnant; especially when used in combination with other contraceptive methods (i.e., condoms, dental dams, etc.).
What is Evra Patch used to treat?
How long does Evra Patch last after you take it?
The most common side effects of birth control patches include:
- Breast discomfort
- Skin irritation
- Vaginal bleeding
- Nausea
- Headache
- Painful menstrual periods
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Back pain
- Bleeding between periods
- Breast enlargement
- Breast pain
- Bronchitis
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Flatulence
- Flu-like symptoms’
- Genital itching
- Heavier than normal menstrual flow
- Inflammation
- Migraines
- Muscle pain
- Rashes
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Urinary tract infections
- Vaginal discharge
- Vaginal pain or discomfort
These side effects of birth control patch contraceptives are normal, and your body may adjust to the medication over time, which can reduce the severity of the symptoms you experience at first.
Many people don’t experience any kind of side effects from birth control contraceptives. However, those that do, often see those side effects disappear within 1-3 months.
If you start to experience any of these side effects of birth control severely, be sure to let your practitioner know. They may be able to suggest alternative birth control methods that can still protect you against unwanted pregnancy without the same negative side effects.
In addition to these, there are some other more serious side effects to watch out for. Please seek immediate in-person care with your primary healthcare practitioner, walk-in clinic or emergency department if you start to experience:
- Swelling in your calf
- Sharp pain in your chest
- Coughing blood
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Sudden severe or worsening headaches
- Crushing chest pain or heaviness
- Sudden partial or complete loss of vision
There are a number of patients who should be cautious about using birth control patch contraceptives, as it may cause negative interactions. Tell your doctor before starting a prescription for birth control patches if you:
- Weight less than 90 kg
- Have a BMI ≥30 kg/m
- Smoke
- Get migraines with aura
- Have high cholesterol
- Have high blood pressure
- Have diabetes
- Have heart disease
- Have kidney disease
- Have a history of breast disease, or a family history of breast disease
- Have a history of epilepsy or seizures
- Have a history of depression
- Wear contact lenses
- Have or have had ‘pregnancy spots’ (i.e., chloasma)
- Have uterine fibroids
- Have a history of liver disease or jaundice
- Have a family history of blood clots, heart attacks, and/or strokes
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
In addition to these concerns, there are a number of different medications that may interact with birth control patches or impact effectiveness.
Because of this, it’s very important that you let your practitioner know ahead of time if you’re currently taking any other prescription medications, or if you regularly use St. John’s Wart.
Depending on the medications you’re currently taking, your practitioner may suggest alternatives to birth control patches that may work better for you, based on your other ongoing treatments.
Benefits of Using Birth Control Patches
Because birth control patch contraceptives don’t need to be used daily, it makes it easier to ensure that you’re protected against pregnancy, without worrying that you could forget to take your contraceptive (i.e., a common concern for birth control pills).
For people who are very busy and find it difficult to remember to take medications daily, or to remember to take them at the same time each day, this can be a great alternative that still provides protection against unwanted pregnancy.
Plus, since birth control patch effectiveness is roughly a 99% protection rate, even without using additional contraceptives, birth control patch contraceptives are one of the most effective ways to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
Birth Control Patch Placements
It’s important to remember that you should never put birth control patches on your breasts.
To achieve the most effectiveness from your birth control patches, you should place them:
- On your buttocks
- On your abdomen
- On your upper, outer arm
- On your upper torso
Wherever you place your patches, be sure not to place it in a position where clothing will rub against it, as with birth control patches it can affect how it works.
Order Birth Control Patches today
If you’re interested in buying birth control patches online in Canada, Felix can help.
Get started today by completing a short online assessment, on your schedule, not the practitioner’s. Once they have a chance to evaluate your needs, they can determine whether birth control patch contraceptives may work for you, based on your health and medical history.
Plus, if you choose to buy birth control patches online with Felix, our pharmacy partners can fill and ship your birth control patches, at no additional cost! All you’ll need to pay for is a small assessment fee, as well as the cost of any prescribed medications. We’ll take care of the rest.
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