can i put tape over my birth control patch
It seems, though, that it is rare for a patch to fall off. The birth control patch is easy: just put on a patch once a week. When stuck to the skin, the patch releases these hormones and the skin absorbs them into the bloodstream. The patch is just as effective as the pill and the vaginal ring. The birth control patch is sticky and should stay on your skin. It's important to choose a type of birth control that suits your lifestyle. Your patch change day will stay the same and youre still protected from pregnancy. However, its only about 94% effective with typical use. Always check the expiration date before putting on a new patch. A birth control patch is a small, sticky patch you wear on your skin to prevent pregnancy. The patch works by delivering hormones through your skin and into your bloodstream. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Don't put anything over it! The method of contraception you choose depends on your reproductive goals. You should also do daily checks to make sure it hasnt fallen off. Skipping your period with the Xulane patch is just as effective at preventing pregnancy, and its safe and super easy. Xulane is a birth control patch that contains two female hormones: an estrogen called ethinyl estradiol, and a progestin called norelgestromin. The birth control patch is a contraceptive device that contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. The day you replace the patch will become your new changeover day. Some forms of birth control are considered a violation of certain religious laws or cultural traditions. Office of Population Affairs. Hold the patch in place against your skin with the palm of your hand for 10 seconds. Planned Parenthood. Keep each patch sealed in its pouch until right before you put it on. Hatcher RA, et al., eds. Your preferred method of birth control may change over your lifetime and is influenced by many different factors, including: Knowing your options is definitely part of the decision process but an honest assessment of yourself and your relationships is just as important when deciding which type of birth control is right for you. Apply a new patch after one week (or seven days), even if youre still bleeding. If used perfectly, the patch is 99% effective. With perfect use in people who havent given birth, its around 91 percent effective. When starting the patch, you must use a back up method of birth control, such as condoms, for the next 7 days, no matter what day of your cycle you start the patch. The patch has lots of other health benefits, too. These hormones prevent ovulation (when your ovary releases an egg). Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Financial Assistance Documents Minnesota, Begin Exploring Women's Health Solutions at Mayo Clinic Store, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Prevent an egg from being released each month, Alter the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg doesn't attach to it, Thicken cervical mucus so that sperm can't easily pass through it, Your reproductive goals, such as the number of children you want and how soon you want to get pregnant, Relationship factors, including marital status, number of sexual partners, how often you have sex and partner preferences, Differences between birth control methods, including how effective they are at preventing pregnancy, side effects, cost and whether they prevent sexually transmitted infections. Youre the best! Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Its applied to the skin on certain parts of the body to prevent pregnancy. Change your patch once a week for 3 weeks straight. If the patch comes loose less than 24 hours after you first applied it, and its still sticky, try to reapply. The sponge doesnt contain any hormones and is instead filled with a spermicide known as nonoxynol-9. The birth control patch is a thin plastic patch (1 3/4 inch square) placed directly on a woman's skin. Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine. Policy. Accessed Dec. 6, 2019. The vaccine, which is recommended for all young people, can prevent most types. According to Xulanes prescribing information, you shouldnt put the patch on your breasts. The patch is 93% effective. So dont wear the same patch longer than a week. One of the biggest complaints Dr. Ruiz hears about the patch is that a line of dirt, lint, or whatever can get stuck around the edge, which may feel kind of gross. If you dont ovulate, pregnancy cant occur because theres nothing for a sperm to fertilize. However, it shouldnt be kept in for more than 30 hours. Those who may not be able to use the patch include people who: No form of hormonal birth control can prevent STIs, as they only work to prevent pregnancy. The transdermal contraceptive patch is a safe and convenient birth control method that works really well if you always use it correctly. The amount and duration of bleeding can vary. Sometimes an out-of-whack cycle isnt a big deal. Abdominal area below your bellybutton and above your pubic area. Pregnancy rates are estimated to be 7 to 9 out of 100 women during a year of typical use. This will be your new patch change day. Use. These are the criteria to be sure you arent pregnant: You need to use backup contraception for the first week you use the patch. It's suggested that you use a different site every time you put on a new patch. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. You can start using the birth control patch as soon as you get it any day of the month, and anytime during your menstrual cycle. More than 24 hours ago: You must apply a new patch. When used correctly, both the pill and patch are equally effective at preventing pregnancy. What do I do if my birth control patch keeps falling off? Put that sticky half of the patch on your belly, buttocks (butt cheeks), or back. If your patch falls completely or partially off for more than 1 day (Twirla) or more than 2 days (Xulane), or if youre not sure how long your patch has been off, put on a new patch and start a new 4-week cycle. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. What Is the Birth Control Patch? If youre using Xulane, open the foil pouch by tearing along the top and side, then peel the foil open until its flat. The theory is that higher levels of body fat may make it harder for your body to absorb the hormones as effectively, Dr. Quinlan says. Its not just how well you use the patch that can affect its effectiveness. While activities, like short swimming sessions, shouldnt affect it, the Twirla patch has been known to lose stickiness after 30 minutes in water. The vaginal ring is inserted into the vagina and left in place for 3 continuous weeks. . If your patch falls off or partially falls off for less than 1 da. No ovulation means theres no egg hanging around for sperm to fertilize, so pregnancy cant happen. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. Birth control methods. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. If you weigh more than 198 pounds, your doctor may recommend a different form of birth control, like a hormonal IUD (which works by thickening cervical mucus, thinning the uterine lining, and partially suppressing ovulation) or the non-hormonal copper IUD (which creates an inflammatory reaction thats toxic to sperm). You may find that different contraceptive options work for you at different stages of your life. Theres nothing dangerous or harmful about using the patch to stop or skip your period. It sticks better to areas that arent very hairy. Irregular bleeding or spotting. No, the patch shouldnt hurt. The patch is also not suggested for anyone who has breast cancer, liver tumors, or liver disease. Definitely go for the medical tape. They also thicken cervical mucus to block sperm from reaching the egg. You apply a patch once a week for three weeks. The hormones prevent pregnancy by stopping the ovary from releasing an egg each month. If it has been 24 hours or longer since your scheduled patch change, apply a new patch and start the cycle over (3 weeks wearing a weekly patch,1 week off). Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience. You should only place the patch on one of the four areas listed above. It doesn't require daily attention or having to remember to take a pill every day. The patch is also not suggested for anyone who has breast cancer, liver tumors, or liver disease. Accessed Dec. 6, 2019. You may be at a greater risk of developing blood clots on the patch. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Both quick to apply and straightforward to use, heres how you put on the patch and swap it for a new one. Be patch buddies with friends or family members who also use the patch, and help each other remember. Thanks for your feedback. In an email to SELF, a spokesperson from Mylan (the company that manufactures Xulane) explained that to their knowledge, clinical studies addressing use of the patch on the breast have not been completed.. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with Some of the most common side effects are: Yes. information submitted for this request. If you forget to replace your patch, do it as soon as you remember. It releases a steady stream of hormones to prevent pregnancy. All rights reserved. What If the Contraceptive Patch Falls Off? Putting the patch on is a two step process, you put half of it on then peel off the plastic for the other half. Its easy to use the Xulane patch or Twirla patch: just stick a new patch to clean, dry skin. The Adderall Shortage Is Putting People at Risk of Serious Health Issues. While you dont have to remove it to swim or shower because its intended to be waterproof, it can still fall off, Dr. Ruiz says. Shorter, lighter periods in people with irregular periods. This slows sperm down and helps prevent sperm from reaching the egg. What's the best place on my body to put the birth control patch? Learn how your body is affected by. If these benefits are important to you, they may influence your choice of birth control option. If you're planning pregnancy in the near future, you may want a method that's easily stopped or quickly reversible, such as a short-acting hormonal method or a barrier method. levonorgestrel emergency contraception pill, Who We Are: Americas Most Trusted Name in Sexual Health. It slowly releases a progestin hormone into the body and lasts up to 5 years before needing to be replaced. The birth control patch is a safe, effective, and straightforward form of hormonal birth control. Not having access to the medication affects so much more than just work productivity, experts say. Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code or city or state. If you start using the patch after taking any emergency contraception pill like Plan B or ella use a backup birth control method (likecondoms) for 7 days. Change your patch once a week. Platforms that offer virtual consultations include: The birth control patch is a safe, effective, and straightforward form of hormonal birth control. Choosing a method of birth control can be difficult. It releases hormones through the skin into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. The patch may be less effective if you weigh more than 198 pounds. Youre the best! Use another method of birth control like a condom if you have vaginal sex during your first week on the patch. You can place the birth control patch on your: Dont place the patch near your breasts or on any cut, red or damaged skin. and that you are able to use consistently and correctly. This means that with perfect use, fewer than 1 out of every 100 women who use the patch will become pregnant. How much does the birth control patch cost? 11. SELF may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Just start a new pack of patches on week 4, instead of having a patch-free week on week 4. Its also recommended that you use a method of backup birth control for the next 7 days. Some people experience side effects for the first few months of use. The birth control patch also thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg. the outer part of your upper arm. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Accessed April 13, 2021. However these symptoms gradually went away in about two cycles. If you forget to apply your patch on time, use the following guidelines, which are dependent on the week of your cycle you're in.. Reversible. This means you can stop using it and become pregnant immediately. Two birth control patch brands are available in the United States: Twirla and Xulane. I haven't really had problems using the patch. The patch is really convenient because you keep it on your body for one week at a time and don't need a constant reminder to change it daily. No sexual intercourse since your last period. If you have left on the patch for up to two additional days: If it has been more than two days when you realize you forgot to change the patch, you're at a greater risk of birth control failure. Want to be extra super-duper sure you dont accidentally get pregnant? If youre late putting on a new patch in the first week or more than two days late in your second or third weeks, youll put yourself at risk of an unintended pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic. Does the birth control patch protect against STIs? To avoid pregnancy, make sure you use back-up birth control (condoms, spermicide, the sponge) for seven days. Dont put your new patch on the exact same spot as your last patch. Depending on medical history and current lifestyle choices, the patch may not be suitable. Always put your patch on clean, dry skin, and keep creams, lotions, oils, powder, and makeup away from your patch area. On the fourth week, you can take a break from using the patch, starting again the week after. A warm, humid climate also did not increase the risk of detachment. try to put it back on. What you do next depends on how long the patch has been off. The first can be placed on your upper-outer arm, abdomen, butt cheek, or back. When choosing a method of birth control, consider how willing you are to plan ahead or follow a rigid medication schedule. Dont put the patch on your breasts. If it's not sticky enough to stay on by itself, then it's not making good enough contact to be effective. Who is best suited for the birth control patch? Heres How Long You Should Wait to Brush Your Teeth After Your Morning Coffee, Check Your Pantry: 4 Popular Types of Flour Were Recalled Due to Salmonella, 5 Tips for Exhausted New Parents Who Are Also Dealing With Migraine. Putting the patch directly on your breasts could possibly exacerbate that issue, she explains. Twirla (prescribing information). No matter where you get the patch from, youll need a prescription to access it. Without an egg, you can't get pregnant. The adhesive is working when it sticks to you on its own, not when you force it on. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://www.acog.org/store/products/patient-education/fast-facts/patch), (https://americanpregnancy.org/unplanned-pregnancy/birth-control-pills-patches-and-devices/birth-control-patch/), (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/family-planning/hormonal-methods-of-contraception), (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-patch). It only needs to be replaced weekly, so might be easier for some people than a daily option, like the pill. In fact, if your BMI is 30 mg/k or higher, you shouldn't use Xulane because . With perfect use, its 99 percent effective. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/birth-control-methods. Its really important to put your new patch on right after your patch-free week, or youll be at risk for pregnancy. If youre using Xulane, you can choose to skip a period whenever you want or even stop having periods altogether while youre on the patch. Push it against the skin for 10 seconds using the palm of your hand. youll use 4 patches a month, instead of 3. nd make sure youre always wearing a patch. A pack of patches, which will last for one month, may be free if you have health insurance or qualify for Medicaid. Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a Canada-based freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. Some methods of contraception are inexpensive, while others are more costly. Peel one half of the clear plastic off the patch. Dont use lotion, oils, creams, powder, or makeup on the skin where you put your patch that can keep the patch from sticking. Peel the bigger piece of the clear plastic off the patch. If you recently took theella emergency contraception pill, dont start using the patch until its been 6 days or more since you hadunprotected sex. The birth control patch requires a prescription from a healthcare provider. Plus, you dont have to think about it each day or week. Whether patients are referred to us or already have a Cleveland Clinic ob/gyn, we work closely with them to offer treatment recommendations and follow-up care to help you receive the best outcome. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Hatcher RA, et al. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/birth-control-methods. Make sure your skin is clean and dry. After that, you dont need to worry about a backup method for pregnancy prevention if youre using the patch correctly. Here are the best online birth control delivery companies. Hatcher RA, et al., eds. In order for the patch to work correctly, it must completely stick to your skin with smooth edges and no wrinkles. Youll need to change the patch every week for three weeks, then go without a patch for the fourth week. It has always bothered me that the patch is the color of Caucasian skin, Maura Quinlan, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, tells SELF. There are 2 ways to start the patch: - Quick Start: Put on your first patch as soon as you get the pack. Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code or city or state. 2023 Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. We couldn't access your location, please search for a location. A different site can be selected each week if you choose, but wherever you choose, the patch must remain there for 7 days. Birth control patch. So youll need to use a barrier method, like condoms, during sexual activity to reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting an STI to others. Keep changing your patch on time every 7 days, and make sure youre always wearing a patch. Still, the absolute risk of a blood clot while on birth control is very lowmuch lower than your risk of a blood clot during and just after pregnancy, according to a 2015 study in BMJ that looked at over 50,000 women. With typical use (when you also factor in people who may use it imperfectly or incorrectly), the patch fails 9 percent of the time, which is the same typical use failure rate associated with the pill and the ring. When used correctly, both the pill and patch are. You can use the patch to skip a period. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. But depending on when you start the patch, you may need to use a backup birth control method (like condoms) for the first 7 days. This can affect how well your skin absorbs the hormones and impact its effectiveness. This will be your new patch change day. Use a backup birth control method like condoms for the next 7 days. Now, if you use the tape as a precaution over your patch, that . In: Contraceptive Technology. Week four: On the fourth week, you dont put on a new patch when you remove your old patch. If your patch is off for more than 24 hours, put on a new one and use a backup method of contraception for a week. Click here for an email preview. If that happens to you, use a backup method of contraception for one week. But starting it at any other time means youll need a secondary form of contraception, such as condoms, for at least a week. Yes, when you take the patch off and put it back on the following your patch free week, you're . Another form of hormonal birth control, the contraceptive implant, is a tiny plastic rod thats inserted just under the skin of the upper arm by a doctor or other healthcare professional. According to Planned Parenthood, that works out to around 9 out of 100 users becoming pregnant every year. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm. You wear the patch either on your belly, upper arm, butt, or back. In: Managing Contraception 2019-2020: For your pocket. Because there's about a two-day amount of continued release of ample hormones, you have a two-day late-window to change the patch at the beginning of Week 2 or 3. Put the patch on a different place (buttock, abdomen, upper body, upper arm) each week. It really stands out for women of colorespecially if they put it where others can see.. Accessed Dec. 6, 2019. Typical use situations might include forgetting to change the patch on time or discovering that the patch came loose from your skin for a prolonged time. prescribing information for the birth control patch, increase the clotting factors in your blood, What to Expect After IUD Removal: Ob/Gyn Experts Explain, What to Do If Birth Control Makes Your Period Worse, The Birth Control Method That's Even More Effective Than an IUD. Your preferred method of birth control may change over your lifetime and is influenced by many . Ayer Company Publishers; 2018. All rights reserved. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 13-1644147. However, there are longer acting forms of contraception for those who want birth control that lasts several years at a time. You put these products in the vagina right before sex. 2023 Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. We couldn't access your location, please search for a location. If youre within four weeks of delivering a baby or within seven days of a miscarriage or termination of a pregnancy. Your health care provider will review your medical history and check your blood pressure. Be sure to put on a new patch on the same day every week this will be your patch change day. If you start on a Monday, then Mondays are always the day you take off your old patch and put on a new one. Ayer Company Publishers; 2018. In addition to preventing pregnancy, some contraceptives provide benefits such as more predictable, lighter menstrual cycles, a decreased risk of sexually transmitted infections or a reduction in the risk of some cancers. See additional information. The pill is taken orally each day, whereas the patch is applied to your skin once each week. On the fourth week, its removed. The birth control patch contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. Read our, What to Do If You Miss a Birth Control Pill, What to Do If You Accidentally Leave Your NuvaRing In, Online Birth Control for PCOS to Help Ease Your Symptoms, Online Birth Control for Endometriosis to Help Reduce Your Symptoms, FDA Clears a New Patch for Excessive Armpit Sweating. There are two kinds of IUDs: a progestin type and a non-hormonal, copper type. For people who have given birth, perfect use equates to 80 percent efficacy. When you use the patch, youre exposed to about 60 percent more estrogen than when you take other forms of combined hormonal birth control with 35 micrograms of estrogen, according to the prescribing information for the birth control patch. Its off-label, but a lot of women do it, Dr. Ruiz says. It depends. You have to remember to replace it each week. If your aim is to skip your period week, youll need to replace your third week patch with a new patch. When its time to remove and replace your patch, take the following steps: Dont attempt to trim or cut the patch, or apply it on top of makeup, lotion or other skin products. You may have some bleeding or spotting for the first 6 months when you use the patch to skip your period. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of When shes not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board. The theory is that higher . The birth control patch prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from joining with an egg (which is called fertilization). So dont wear the same patch longer than a week. Take the patch and plastic layer off the foil. If you have mental health issues I would not recommend this form of BC. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Your partner may have birth control preferences that are similar to or different from your own. You can put Xulane or Twirla on your belly,buttocks (butt cheeks), or back. Contact your provider if you experience the following symptoms while using the patch: You should also contact your provider if you consistently dont get your period during the week the patch is off. Those are some pretty stellar side effects. This content does not have an English version. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on But people aren't perfect, and it can be easy to make a mistake so in reality, the patch is about 93% effective. I've been wearing my first Xulane patch for about 5 days now, and last night I had to put medical tape around 2 of the edges because they were peeling up so much. The patch is really good at preventing pregnancy, but it wont protect you from sexually transmitted infections.Using condoms every time you have sex really lowers your chances of getting or spreading STDs. If youre using Xulane, open the foil pouch by tearing along the top and side, then peel the foil open, f you spend a lot of time doing these things, ch. How do I use the birth control patch? People who forget to remove the patch after the third week can take it off and apply a new patch on the usual start day.