What Are The Advantages
- It is a very effective method when used correctly
- It is easy to use
- It does not interfere with sex
- It helps to reduce heavy or painful periods
- It may prevent pre-menstrual syndrome
- Its contraceptive effects are totally reversible
- Unlike the pill, it is not affected by vomiting or diarrhoea
- It may protect against cancer of the ovary and cancer of the body of the uterus
Can A Person With Sensitive Skin Use It
The patch may cause skin irritation. It is advisable to avoid placing the patch on skin that is red, irritated or cut. If you have sensitive skin, you may wish to consult with your medical provider prior to use. If mild irritation develops during use, the patch can be removed and a new patch may be applied immediately to a new location until the next “patch change day.”
No Period After Stopping Birth Control What’s That About
If youve decided to stop taking the pill, it can take a while for your cycle to return to normal. This varies from person to person. Most people will have their period around two to four weeks after stopping the pill. However, your cycle may be irregular for some time. Its normal for your body to need up to three months to go back to normal after stopping your birth control. If your cycles remain irregular for longer, make sure to visit your health care provider to find out the cause of your irregular cycles.
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What If I Want To Become Pregnant
You may stop using Xulane whenever you wish. Consider a visit with your healthcare provider for a pre-pregnancy checkup before you stop using Xulane.
XULANE® 150 mcg/day norelgestromin and 35 mcg/day ethinyl estradiol
What is XULANE?
XULANE is a prescription birth control patch for women with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2. It contains two female hormones, an estrogen called ethinyl estradiol, and a progestin called norelgestromin.
Hormones from XULANE get into the blood stream 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 XULANE 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.
Limitations of Use:
XULANE may not be as effective in women weighing more than 198 lbs. . If you weigh more than 198 lbs. , talk to your healthcare provider about which method of birth control is right for you. Do not use XULANE if your Body Mass Index is 30 kg/m2 or more.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Patch
Advantages:
- it’s very easy to use and doesn’t interrupt sex
- unlike the combined oral contraceptive pill, you don’t have to think about it every day you only have to remember to change it once a week
- the hormones from the patch aren’t absorbed by the stomach, so it still works if you’re sick or have diarrhoea
- it can make your periods more regular, lighter and less painful
- it can help with premenstrual symptoms
- it may reduce the risk of ovarian, womb and bowel cancer
Disadvantages:
- it can cause skin irritation, itching and soreness
- it doesn’t protect you against STIs, so you may need to use condoms as well
- some women get mild temporary side effects when they first start using the patch, such as headaches, sickness , breast tenderness and mood changes this usually settles down after a few months
- bleeding between periods and spotting is common in the first few cycles of using the patch this is nothing to worry about if you’re using it properly and you’ll still be protected against pregnancy
- some medicines can make the patch less effective see a GP, nurse or pharmacist for advice
- you need to remember to change it every week, so if it would be easier to use a method that you don’t have to think about you may want to consider the implant or intrauterine device
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Who Can Use It
Not everyone can use the patch so your doctor, nurse or online provider will need to ask you about your own and your familys medical history. Do mention any illnesses or operations youve had or if you think you might already be pregnant. The patch may not be suitable if:
- you smoke and are 35 years old or over
- youre 35 years old or over and stopped smoking less than a year ago
- youre very overweight
- you take certain medicines
- youre breastfeeding a baby less than six weeks old
The patch may not be suitable for you if you have now or had in the past:
- thrombosis in any vein or artery or a member of your immediate family had thrombosis before they were 45 years old
- heart disease or a stroke
- systemic lupus erythematosus with positive antiphospholipid antibodies
- a heart abnormality or circulatory disease, including hypertension
- migraine aura
- youre immobile for a long period of time or use a wheelchair
- youre at high altitude for more than a week.
If youre healthy, dont smoke and there are no medical reasons for you not to use the patch, you can use it until youre 50 years old. Youll then need to change to another method of contraception.
How Well Does Xulane Work In Keeping Me From Getting Pregnant
Your chance of getting pregnant depends on how well you follow the directions for using Xulane. The patch is 99% effective when used as directed. The better you follow the directions, the less chance you have of getting pregnant. In clinical studies, 1 to 2 women out of 100 women got pregnant during the first year they used norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol transdermal system. Xulane may be less effective in preventing pregnancy in women at or above 198 lbs and is for women with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2.
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Where Can I Get The Patch
You can go to a contraception or sexual health clinic, or general practice to get the patch for free.
If you prefer not to go to your own general practice, or they dont provide contraceptive services, they can give you information about another practice or clinic.
There are also private online providers where you can order the patch for a fee.
All treatment is confidential.
You dont need to have a vaginal or breast examination or cervical screening test when youre first prescribed the patch.
Ive Just Had A Baby Can I Use The Patch
You can usually start to use the patch from 21 days after you give birth if youre not breastfeeding. Starting on day 21 youll be protected from pregnancy straight away. If you start later than day 21, use additional contraception or avoid sex for the first seven days of using the patch.
If youre breastfeeding a baby less than six weeks old, using the patch may affect your milk production. Its usually recommended that you use a different method of contraception or avoid sex until six weeks after the birth.
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How Effective Is The Patch
- The patch is 99% effective. This means that if 100 people used the patch correctly for one year, only one person would get pregnant.
- Because the patch may be used incorrectly, it is closer to 92% 97% effective with typical use.
- If you use the patch incorrectly, your risk of getting pregnant increases.
- The patch may be less effective if you weigh more than 198 lbs.
Where To Put The Patch
Stick the patch directly onto your skin. You can put it onto most areas of your body, as long as the skin is clean, dry and not very hairy. You shouldn’t stick the patch onto:
- sore or irritated skin
- an area where it may get rubbed off by tight clothing
- your breasts
It’s a good idea to change the position of each new patch to help reduce the chance of skin irritation.
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How To Keep Your Menstrual Cycle On Track
If you miss your period while on the pill and you havent missed any doses, pregnancy isnt likely. Instead, the hormones in the pill are likely the cause. If you miss a second period and havent missed any doses, pregnancy is still unlikely. At this point though, if youre sexually active, its still worth taking a pregnancy test or calling your doctor.
Your doctor can help you address any other factors that may be at play. After youve pinpointed the cause, you should be able to get your period back on a regular cycle. You may be able to do this in a number of ways:
- Make sure you take time to relieve stress. Try breathing techniques, yoga, restorative walks, and even journaling to get at the root of your stress.
- Eat a healthy diet and work to keep your weight in a normal range. If you suspect you have an eating disorder, tell a friend or your doctor so they can point you to the resources you need to get help.
- Keep up with regular exercise. Your activity level may seem manageable to you, but see if stepping back a bit helps your regular bleeding resume.
Bleeding Whilst Using The Contraceptive Patch
During the first few months while your body is adjusting to the contraceptive patch, you may have some vaginal bleeding in addition to the usual bleeding during your patch-free week. This is not serious but can be a nuisance. It may vary from spotting to a heavier loss like a light period. Do not stop using your patch. This usually settles after the first 2-3 months. If it persists, see your doctor or nurse.
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Advantages Of The Patch
- If you use the patch correctly, your chances of getting pregnant are very low.
- You dont have to do anything before or after you have sex.
- You dont have to do something every day.
- You are less likely to have side effects than you are with the pill.
- Your period will likely become shorter, lighter, less painful, and more regular.
- The patch can improve acne and increase bone strength.
- It doesnt affect your ability to get pregnant in the future.
- Your partner dont have to be involved.
- The patch lowers your chances of ovarian and endometrial cancer and fibroids.
When Do You Get Your Period On Birth Control Pills
Once youve started your seven-day break from the pill each month, youll usually start to bleed two to four days into the pill-free week. This varies for each person, but birth control tends to make cycles very regular. That means that after a few months on the pill, youll probably find that your period usually starts on the same day of that week every month.
Youll probably be getting your withdrawal bleeding every 28 days, but even after your body has gotten used to the pill, you can still experience late “periods” on birth control.
Keep in mind that your birth control only works effectively if you take it correctly. If youve forgotten to take three or more non-placebo pills, you could experience withdrawal bleeding before your seven-day break is scheduled. This would mean that you are no longer protected for the month and that you need to use a backup method of birth control and start a new pack.
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How Does The Patch Prevent Pregnancy
- In order to get pregnant, sperm must enter your vagina*, swim up into your uterus and fertilize an egg that has been released from your ovaries during ovulation. The patch prevents you from ovulating.
- The patch thickens the mucus on your cervix . This makes it harder for sperm to travel into your uterus and fertilize an egg.
- The patch thins the lining of your uterus . This makes it harder for a fertilized egg to implant in your uterus and become a pregnancy.
What Should I Do If I Don’t Get My Period
While your period is much lighter on the patch, you will get a period, usually a few days after removing the 3rd patch . Sometimes, however, no period occurs due to stress or illness. If you’ve worn your patch regularly, pregnancy is unlikely. However, we do recommend taking a pregnancy test to rule out this possibility before starting your next patch. We perform confidential urine pregnancy tests at no cost. If you aren’t getting a regular period on the patch, talk to your medical provider.
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Do I Only Need To Wear The Patch When I Have Sex
The patch will not be effective if you only wear it when you have sex. The patch uses a 28-day, 4-week cycle. You will apply a new patch on the same day of the week for 3 consecutive weeks, for a total of 21 days. You will not apply a patch during week 4. Do not skip patches even if you do not have sex very often.
How To Skip Your Period Using The Patch
- Determine the month that you wish to skip your period.
- Continue to replace/change your contraceptive patch once a week for the three weeks prior to wanting to skip your period.
- After week three, remove your patch.
- Instead of not using the patch during week four and waiting for your period, put on a new patch during the fourth week . This will keep the hormone levels constant, and by keeping steady the supply of hormones, this will eliminate your monthly withdrawal bleed.
- Continue using a new patch once a week, for three consecutive weeks.
- When you reach the end of the third week on the patch, take it off, and your withdrawal bleed should return.
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Is It Normal To Miss A Period
There are several times in a persons life when irregular periods are expected: when a person first starts having periods , during breastfeeding, and at the beginning of perimenopause . On average, most people get their periods every 28 days. But a healthy persons menstrual cycle can last from 21 to 35 days. Apart from puberty, menopause, and pregnancy, a missed period may indicate a health issue.
Why Does Withdrawal Bleeding Occur
Taking a 21-day pack of combined pills with a week-long break after the last active pill in your pack means that youll experience withdrawal bleeding before taking your next active pill.
The same goes if you reapply a birth control patch once a week for three weeks and then dont apply it during the fourth week, or wear a vaginal ring for three weeks and remove it during the fourth week.
Much like a regular menstrual period, withdrawal bleeding is caused by a drop in hormone levels in the body. The drop in hormones triggers the release of some blood and mucus from the lining of the uterus out through the vagina.
Birth control pills come in higher and lower doses. Low-dose forms of birth control are highly recommended by doctors because they carry the lowest risk of blood clotting, heart attack, stroke, and other serious side effects. These low-dose medications usually cause lighter and shorter withdrawal bleeding than high-dose medications.
Withdrawal bleeding on a patch, ring, or combined 21-day pack of birth control isnt the same as a regular menstrual period. Its usually much lighter and shorter and causes fewer symptoms.
However, some women still experience menstruation-like symptoms while on hormonal birth control. These may include:
- a mix of blood and mucus that passes through the vagina during your break week
- abdominal bloating
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