The Patch

"The Patch" can be a popular choice of birth control 

Disclaimer: I do work in healthcare and have a graduate degree in public health. However, I do not have a medical degree. This post is to be used solely for educational purposes and as a "starting point". Please do your own research and talk to you OB/GYN if this sounds like a good birth control option for you!

Xulane (otherwise known as "The Patch") is a type of hormonal birth control. Hormonal birth control tends to be less likely to have a person become pregnant (as opposed to non-hormonal birth control). The Patch specifically has about 90-99% chance of not getting someone pregnant (when used correctly). The Patch is used three weeks at a time and then "given a break" for one week (so you use it 3/4 weeks of a given month and then "have a break" for that last month). It is typically placed on the inside of the arm, the back, the side of the leg, abdomen, or buttocks. The Patch is only slightly larger than the American quarter. 

The idea with The Patch is that it's a "skin neutral" color (caucasian "neutral") that can be placed in an area that is unlikely to be seen by the average stranger. It is waterproof, which means it can be worn in the shower, go for a swim, or take a bath. The Patch puts in your body about 60% extra hormones (as compared to say most other hormonal forms of birth control which puts on average about 33% of extra hormones, the mini pill even less!). As per the manufacturing website "Hormones from the patch enter the bloodstream and are processed by the body differently than hormones from birth control pills. You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use the patch than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen. In general, increased estrogen may increase the risk of side effects, including blood clots.". So if your body is sensitive to hormonal changes, this might not be the birth control for you.

It should be noted that everyone will have a vastly different experience with hormonal based birth control. Some people have "smooth sailing" with zero or almost zero problems. Other people have pure Hell, regardless of the hormonal birth control they choose. 

If you are interested in learning more about this type of birth control, please speak to you OB/GYN as well as take a look at the manufactuer's website (https://www.xulane.com/en/use-xulane)!