Birth control is always a hot topic these days, and I thought you guys might like a little background information about the birth control patch, another method of contraception. Editor
Advantages of the Birth Control Patch
Many women are discovering the advantages of choosing the birth control patch as their method of
contraception.
What does the birth control patch look like?
The birth control patch is a thin square patch that is adhered to the skin, much like a band-aid. It’s left on for an entire week at which time the patch is replaced with a new one. When it is time to replace the birth control patch it’s placed in a different spot than the previous one. This is done for a period of three weeks. On the fourth week no patch is applied to the skin and the woman has her period.
How does it work?
Just as birth control pills contain hormones, the birth control patch does as well. The hormones are absorbed through the skin’s surface and into the blood stream. The purpose of the hormones is to regulate the reproductive system so that ovulation doesn’t occur.
Some women are a bit wary about trying the birth control patch because they are concerned that it might come off while they are bathing or swimming. The patch is actually designed to be worn full-time even during activities where the body is wet or exerted.
If the patch does happen to fall off it’s really important to refer to the literature that came with it. In it will be suggestions about what to do and also it will strongly suggest that another form of birth control be practiced in the interim.
Attention:
The birth control patch is not a method of treating or preventing sexually transmitted diseases. Its sole purpose is to reduce the risk of pregnancy. Therefore it’s still advisable for a couple to use a condom to prevent the spread of any illness.
Most forms of contraception that involve the use of hormones have side effects. The same is true with the birth control patch. Some of the side effects can include weight gain, spotting in between periods, headaches and nausea. Other side effects that have been attributed to the use of the birth control patch are difficulty wearing contact lenses and a small rash where the patch was applied. In any case of side effects if they become severe it’s important to check with your physician.
Although the birth control patch isn’t right for every woman it is an effective and safe form of contraception. When you do decide to talk to your doctor about birth control ask him or her what their opinion is on the birth control patch and from there you can make an informed decision about what is right for you.
Random excerpt from other pregnancy articles on this site (click the link to read the full article):
Low birth weight babies are typically born to women who gain less that 20 pounds in weight with women gaining more than 35 pounds in weight probably adding excess bodyfat. In the first three months most women gain about 2-4 pounds, although some women can lose weight due to suffering with morning sickness. After the first three months, the average weight gain is about 1 pound a week. More food to eat during pregnancy.
Birth Control info on Yahoo:
Fertility treatments linked to certain birth defects (CNN)A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that infants born as a result of assisted reproductive technology, or ART -- such as in vitro fertilization and the use of donor eggs -- are two to four times more likely to be born with certain types of birth defects than infants conceived naturally. But, the study's lead author says, the overall risk is still relatively ...
Innovative Birth Control Method: A Low-Dose, Once-Weekly Contraceptive Patch, Phase 3 Trials (Medical News Today)Agile Therapeutics, Inc., a late-stage pharmaceutical company specializing in women's health products, announced today that after a successful end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the company is moving forward with its pivotal Phase 3 program to support a NDA filing and marketing approval of AG200-15 with SKINFUSION™ technology.
Assisted Reproductive Technology Linked to Birth Defects (MedicineNet.com)Title: Assisted Reproductive Technology Linked to Birth Defects Category: Health News Created: 11/18/2008 2:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 11/18/2008
Study assesses birth defect rates (Albany Times Union)More abnormalities seen in children conceived with the aid of medical technologies CHICAGO ? Babies born to couples who rely on medical technology to become pregnant have much higher rates of certain birth defects, according to a study published online Monday in the journal Human Reproduction.The report from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found these infants have twice ...
Study links fertility procedures to birth defects (International Herald Tribune)Infants conceived with techniques commonly used in fertility clinics were more likely to have certain birth defects than those conceived naturally, though the risk was still low.
Birth defects, fertility techniques linked (UPI)ATLANTA, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Infants conceived using fertility clinic techniques are more likely to have certain birth defects than infants conceived naturally, a U.S. study indicates.
Women's Birth Control Concerns Don't Match Their Behaviors and Routines (Carteret County News-Times)(ARA) - Most women who are of reproductive age will at some point in their life use a method of contraception. However, recent findings from the nationwide survey "Contraceptive Habits" reveal that many women in their 20s and 30s are not confident and content with their chosen method.
Birth Defects Tied to Fertility Techniques (New York Times)Infants conceived with techniques commonly used in fertility clinics are two to four times more likely to have certain birth defects than are infants conceived naturally, a study found.
More birth defects seen with fertility treatment (San Francisco Chronicle)Infants conceived as a result of infertility treatments are two to four times more likely to have certain types of birth defects than children conceived naturally, according to one of the nation's largest studies on the issue. The defects, which frequently...
Birth defect risk raised by in vitro fertilization (Reuters via Yahoo! News)Babies conceived using in vitro fertilization are two to four times as likely to have certain birth defects than those conceived naturally, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
|