The birth control patch is a form of birth control that is applied to the upper arm, buttocks, upper torso or abdomen. According to the Nemours Foundation, the patch uses a combination of estrogen and progestin to create an unfavorable environment for sperm in the uterus. It also prevents ovulation. Cedar Rivers Clinic states that the birth control patch is 99 percent effective in women 198 pounds and under; however, for women over that weight, it is only 92 percent effective. While pregnancy prevention is an obvious benefit, there are numerous risks to consider.
Common
Some of the most common risks of using the birth control patch include bloating, weight gain, headaches, skin irritation, nausea, break-through bleeding, vomiting and breast tenderness. Some women may experience some or all of the symptoms, while other women won't experience any.
Rare and Serious
According to the American Pregnancy Association, users of the birth control patch are at risk of developing serious complications, including blood clots, stroke or heart attack. Women using the patch who have symptoms that point to these conditions, such as yellowing skin, chest pain, redness in the legs, pain or swelling in the legs or headaches should get immediate medical attention.
Sexually Transmitted Disease
Women on the birth control patch should be careful not to contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD). The birth control patch doesn't offer any protection against any STD. When using the birth control patch, a woman should use discretion concerning sexual partners. Using male or female condoms is a way to reduce the risk of contracting an STD.
Pregnancy
While use of the birth control patch is meant to reduce the risk of pregnancy, it isn't a foolproof way to do so. For example, if the birth control patch comes off or starts to peel off, you must either reapply the patch or apply a new one within 24 hours. If you don't get a new patch on within 24 hours, you should apply a new one as soon as possible and use a back-up method of birth control for the first week.
Contraindications
Women who have unexplained vaginal bleeding, diabetes, breast cancer, high blood pressure, uterine cancer or liver disease are at an increased risk of serious complications when using the birth control patch. Additionally, women at an increased risk of complications are those who smoke, have allergies to hormones or have a history of stroke, heart attack or blood clots.
