Contents
- 1 Contraceptive Patch Singapore
- 1.1 What Is A Contraceptive Patch?
- 1.2 How Does The Contraceptive Patch Work?
- 1.3 How Is the Contraceptive Patch Used?
- 1.4 How Effective Is The Contraceptive Patch?
- 1.5 Who is Suitable For The Contraceptive Patch?
- 1.6 Who is Not Suitable For The Contraceptive Patch?
- 1.7 What Are The Side Effects of The Contraceptive Patch?
- 1.8 What Are The Other Benefits Of The Contraceptive Patch?
- 1.9 What Is The Difference Between The Contraceptive Patch and Birth Control Pills?
- 1.10 How Do I Start Using The Contraceptive Patch?
What Is A Contraceptive Patch?
The contraceptive patch is a hormonal transdermal patch which is meant to be placed on the skin daily for pregnancy prevention.
Like birth control pills, the contraceptive patch contains 2 types of hormones – Estrogen and Progesterone, making it a form of combined hormonal contraceptive method.
While the contraceptive patch is less well known compared to birth control pills, it is fast gaining popularity in Singapore due to its convenience and ease of use.
It is also extremely effective in preventing pregnancy when used correctly, with an efficacy of up to 97%.
There is currently only 1 brand of contraceptive patch available in Singapore which is the Evra Patch.
How Does The Contraceptive Patch Work?
The Evra Patch works very similarly to birth control pills.
When the contraceptive patch is placed on your skin, the Estrogen and Progesterone hormones are absorbed through the skin, into the body.
It then works in the exact same manner as the birth control pill in preventing ovulation and hence pregnancy.
The only difference is how the hormones are absorbed into the body - the patch through the skin, and the pill, through oral consumption.
When the hormones are absorbed into our body via our skin, it sends signals to our brain to prevent or inhibit ovulation from happening each month.
When a woman has her regular Evra Patch pasted on her body everyday, these signals are consistently and constantly being sent to our brain which prevents ovulation from happening. As such, without ovulation, fertilization and pregnancy cannot occur.
Additionally, the hormones in the Evra Patch also cause thickening of the cervical mucus in the vagina, which helps to create an unfavorable environment for the sperm to pass through.
Lastly, daily use of the Evra Patch leads to regular and consistent levels of hormones in a woman’s body. As the hormonal levels in the body are controlled by the contraceptive patch and ovulation is prevented, the womb will also start to thin out its lining, which creates an unfavorable environment for implantation of a fertilized egg. This also helps to prevent a pregnancy from taking place.
How Is the Contraceptive Patch Used?
Each patch is applied to clean, dry skin and is meant to be left on your body for 1 full week, or 7 days.
Most common areas that women place their contraceptive patch on are the buttock or abdomen. Other possible areas that the patch can be placed include the hips or upper back. The patch should not be placed around the breast or chest region.
Each box of Evra patch contains 3 individual patches, which is meant to last you a total of 3 weeks in total.
The patch will be changed once a week.
You are required to use 3 patches consecutively for 3 weeks, and then stop or take a break for 1 week. During the 1 week break, you will expect to get your period, or a withdrawal bleed.
This is very similar to the pattern of birth control pills.
You are expected to go about your day to day activities with your patch on at all times. As the patch is very sticky, it is safe for you to have it on even when you are taking a shower, or exercising.
Think you need a Contraceptive Patch?
How Effective Is The Contraceptive Patch?
Like birth control pills, the contraceptive patch is an extremely easy and effective way to prevent pregnancy.
With correct, regular and consistent use, the contraceptive patch can be up to 97% effective in preventing a pregnancy.
Some women even find the contraceptive patch more effective than birth control pills as they are less likely to miss or forget changing their patch weekly.
Who is Suitable For The Contraceptive Patch?
The contraceptive patch is suitable for any woman who is sexually active and looking for a short term, reversible form of contraception.
The contraceptive patch is extremely easy to use, effective and can be stopped any time a woman desires fertility and wants to start a family.
The contraceptive patch is a popular choice of contraceptive especially for:
- Sexually active younger women
- First time users of birth control
- Women who desire short term reversible contraception
- Women who only want birth control for a short period of time
- Women who prefer non invasive forms of birth control
- Women who want a discreet form of contraception
- Women who often forget to take their pills regularly
Additionally, on top of birth control and pregnancy prevention, the contraceptive patch is also particularly helpful in treating women with the following conditions:
- Irregular periods
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Heavy menstrual periods
- PMS or premenstrual syndrome
- Bad menstrual cramps
- Dysmenorrhea
- Hormonal acne
- Acne vulgaris
- Ovarian cysts
Think you need a Contraceptive Patch?
Who is Not Suitable For The Contraceptive Patch?
While the contraceptive patch is a great, easy and effective way to prevent pregnancy, it may not be suitable for everyone.
Just like birth control pills, the regular daily use of hormones may not be suitable for women with certain underlying pre-existing medical conditions or who are on certain long term medications.
Long term, regular use of the contraceptive patch is generally very safe, using it inappropriately in somebody with certain underlying medical conditions could potentially lead to unwanted complications such as blood clots or stroke.
Hence, it is very important to ensure you consult with an experienced women’s health doctor before starting on any form of hormonal birth control.
- High blood pressure
- Migraines with aura
- Previous breast cancer
- Hormonal related cancers
- Previous stroke
- Previous history of blood clotting problems
- Liver problems
- Smoker
- Chronic skin conditions eg eczema or contact dermatitis
- Breastfeeding mothers
What Are The Side Effects of The Contraceptive Patch?
Just like any other medication, some people may experience some mild side effects which are usually temporary. Side effects usually occur when a woman first starts her contraceptive patch for the first time,as the body may need some time to adjust to the hormones.
The good news is that most of these side effects usually go away after 3 months as your body adjusts and adapts to the hormones in the contraceptive patch.
Common Side Effects Include:
- Skin irritation
- Rashes
- Headaches
- Bloating
- Irregular spotting also known as breakthrough bleeding
- Breast tenderness or sensitivity
- Mood changes
- Nausea
There is no need to be alarmed if you experience any of these side effects as they are only temporary and will go away on their own once your body adjusts to the hormones after a few weeks.
If you experience side effects such as skin irritation or rashes over the area where the patch was applied, it will be helpful to rotate the site of application to avoid this problem.
What Are The Other Benefits Of The Contraceptive Patch?
Like birth control pills, the regular use of the contraceptive patch also has other benefits that can be very helpful in treating other concurrent female related issues that may be affecting them.
The contraceptive patch contains a fixed amount of hormones which is slowly released and absorbed by the skin daily. This also helps to regulate and control the hormone levels in the woman.
This makes it an extremely useful and excellent treatment method for conditions like:
- Hormonal acne
- Heavy menstrual periods or Menorrhagia
- Acne vulgaris
- Menstrual cramps or Dysmenorrhea
- Irregular Menstrual Periods
- Irregular periods
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- PMS or premenstrual syndrome
- Ovarian cysts
What Is The Difference Between The Contraceptive Patch and Birth Control Pills?
The contraceptive patch and birth control pills have several similarities in terms of the benefits, side effects, hormonal types etc.
The differences between the contraceptive patch and pills are:
Patch | Pills |
|---|---|
Only require weekly change | Require daily consumption
|
Absorption through the skin | Absorption through oral consumption
|
Less likely to forget | May forget to take some pills in the pack |
How Do I Start Using The Contraceptive Patch?
You first start with a consultation with an experienced women’s health doctor to find out if you are suitable for the contraceptive patch
This is a personalized decision made between your doctor and yourself after a detailed understanding of your medical condition.
If found to be suitable, you will then be prescribed with a month’s supply of the contraceptive patch first to try out, especially if you are a first time user.
The best time to start your pack of contraceptive patches is on day 1 of your natural menstrual cycle.
By doing that, you can ensure that you are well protected against an unplanned pregnancy even when no barrier protection is used.
However, if a woman decides to start her contraceptive patch at any other time of her cycle, it is important to first consult your doctor to ensure certain precautions are in place and that it is safe for you to do so.
Think you need a Contraceptive Patch?
Frequently Asked Questions
If used correctly,and on time, the contraceptive patch is an extremely effective way of preventing pregnancy with an efficacy of up to 99%.
While there is no birth control method that gives a 100% guarantee, the chance of a pregnancy is extremely rare.
However, if a woman often forgets to change her patch or or messes up the patch cycle, then there is a risk of pregnancy even while on the contraceptive patch.
Another point to note is that the contraceptive patch requires at least 7 days of use before its effects kick in. Hence, it is important to use alternative contraception such as a condom, or to abstain from unprotected sexual intercourse for the first 7 days of starting the patch.
It depends on which patch in your pack you forget and how soon you remember your missed patch.
If you have been using the contraceptive patch regularly for at least the past 1 week and happen to forget changing the patch less than 24 hours from the time you are supposed to, then you may just change the patch as soon as possible.
However, if you have forgotten to change the patch more than 24 hours since it was due,then you may have lost some protection.
You will need to abstain for the next 7 days and may even need to consider emergency contraception if you have had unprotected intercourse.
For more accurate advice based on your personal situation, it is best to consult a doctor who is experienced with the use of the contraceptive patch.
Rest assured that the contraceptive patch is 100% reversible and has no impact on your future fertility at all.
In fact, their effects can be reversed extremely quickly, and the patch can be stopped anytime you wish to start a family.
Yes, you will. Once you are on the contraceptive patch, your menstrual cycle will be regulated and controlled by the patch. Hence, it is expected that your menstrual cycle will differ from your usual natural cycle.
You can expect to get a monthly period, also known as a withdrawal bleed, in the 7 days that you take a break.
You may notice that your menstrual periods when on the contraceptive patch are lighter in flow, and also less painful.
Yes you can, but only under the safe advice of an experienced doctor who is familiar with the use of the contraceptive patch. You can speak to your doctor about this if this is something that you wish to consider.
The contraceptive patch is also extremely affordable. The average price range for the contraceptive patch is around $50 onwards.
AUTHOR
Dr Michelle Chia
Medical Director
After graduating from the National University of Singapore, Dr Michelle's journey allowed her to train in Women's Health and Aesthetic Medicine. Her experience has led her to be featured on multiple media platforms including Radio Stations and prominent Magazines like Her World, Women's Weekly and CLEO. Her work has also received recognition both locally and internationally in several Medical Conferences.
Ezra Clinic is a Women’s Health, Wellness and Aesthetic Clinic that is conveniently located at the top floor of Royal Square Medical Suites in Novena, Singapore’s Medical Health Hub.
Helmed by Dr Michelle Chia, Ezra Clinic is your chosen one stop clinic for all your Women’s Health and Wellness needs.
Address
101 Irrawaddy Road #21-09, Royal Square Medical Centre, Singapore 329565