Thanks to the wonders of modern medicine, youve got a plethora of options when it comes tobirth control.
Maybe taking apillevery day is up your alley.
Perhaps youre more of anIUDperson.
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It kind of looks like a Band-Aid, and you stick one side of it to your skin.
If youre interested in the patch, here are a few things you oughta know.
National Library of Medicine.
According toXulanes prescribing information, you shouldnt put the patch on your breasts.
There may be valid reasons behind other spots being better for the patch than the breasts.
Putting the patch directly on your breasts could possibly exacerbate that issue, she explains.
Other utility instructions include not putting the patch anywhere where tight clothing will rub up and potentially dislodge it.
However, mistakes happen.
For three weeks, youll put on a new patch every week.
Then, after seven days, you put on a new patcheven if youre still bleeding from your period.
If that happens to you, use a backup method of contraception for one week.
The patch is essentially a sticker, after all.
Thats why your doctor will recommend that you check every day to check that that its still on.
The patch is available in beige and…beige.
It really stands out forwomen of colorespecially if they put it where others can see.
Even if you do have fair skin, its unlikely that the patch is going to completely blend in.
If youd rather use a more discreet method of birth control, this may not be for you.
It is absolutely safe to postpone your period with the patch, Dr. Minkin says.
Instead of taking it off for the fourth week, just put a new patch on.
Its off-label, but a lot of women do it, Dr. Ruiz says.
Those are some pretty stellar side effects.
Most women do not feel that this is significant enough to warrant stopping the patch.
Some people may even have anallergic reactionto the adhesive and experience symptoms like itchiness, he says.
The patch is also not suggested for anyone who has breast cancer, liver tumors, or liver disease.
If youre interested in the patch, talk to your doctor about what you need from birth control.
