At first, i was a bit apprehensive about starting on the patch. I was on the injection a little under a year, which was terrible for me. I bled (only a little) every day for almost the year, so I was really happy and relieved when the patch stopped that, the very same day i put it on! the reason i was apprehensive was because i was worried about how it would work, would it work properly on me etc, but a week after getting it off my doctor i sucked it up and slapped it on! and its working great so far!
Im due to have a break tomorrow, so im expecting to have the first proper period tomorrow/tuesday. One thing people might have a thing about is how dirty it gets. Its not dirt as in unclean, its fibres from your clothes that make it look dark around the edges. For example, youd probably get more fluff/fibres if you wore the patch on your butt, than if you wore it say...on your lower abdomen. This isnt a huge problem for me.
I was also worried about it staying on, during showering/bathing etc, but i was pleasantly surprised when i took a 30/40 minute bath and it didnt come off! depending on how often you shower or submerse it in water, it is quite durable.
One thing people dont like is that "it makes me put on weight" ... well this ISNT true. My nurse actually told me it increases your appetite, as with any extra hormones, but its down to YOUU what extra food you eat! if you stuff your face with chips and pizza all day then complain about weight gain, then you havent got a leg to stand on against someone who eats a healthy balanced diet. I did experience the appetite increase, it made me want to just eat like a pig, but after a week or so you hardly notice, and learn to ignore it.. :D
Another thing is moodyness, which i can say i havent gotten. Sometimes im a pretty grumpy person in general, but this has never been anything to do with the contraception i use. (personal issues :P)
Some other people claim to get more spots, which i can say i havent gotten either! which is awsome.
Another plus about the patch is that you can plan holidays etc around your period, because you should be able to predict the exact week your on a break. I find this extremely handy myself!
Altogether, i havent had any side effects from the patch just yet, but then again this is only my third week.
I didnt experience many side effects, and would definately recommend for someone looking for a more convenient method of contraception.
If it doesnt work for you, move on and try something else, but its definately worth a try, because if it does work its great!
