Patch reviews

The patch was great and worked exactly how I wanted it to until it didn’t. After over two years on the patch I began getting breakthrough bleeding constantly regardless of when I’d last had a break.

Not perfect, but I have not noticed an impact on my mental health which was the most important factor for me. Some break through bleeding and bloating if I take it back to back for a few months, but once I take a 7 day break and have a bleed that goes away. A slight weight gain because I find it makes me hungrier than my previous contraception but I just watch out for it and it's fine. It is a bit ugly, only a problem when on holiday and no where to hide it. It did come off in the sea so my tip is always pack extra when going away. I used to take the injection and I much preferred that.

I found it quite a pleasant experience. I've always wore a long sleeves and long trousers so it was never a concern of showing the patch. At the end of the week the patch was looking absolutely grogging. The patch is a very pale colour (I am so pale that people come up to me and tell me) and it didn't even match my skin tone. I developed quite a few side effects particularly in the first month. But it all passed so quickly. The anxiety iexperienced was quite bad at the beginning. My mood improved The longer I was on it. I currently have unexplained pelvic pain, unfortunately the patch never helped with that. Another thing is it made my "periods" a lot more heavier, my periods are normally normal and very short. The withdrawal bleeds became a week long and would start off very heavily after 2 days it would start to calm down. After I stopped using the patch my period went straight back to normal and any residual side effects quickly stopped.

Loved this contraception at the beginning. Skin is clearer than ever, I only get the odd spot leading up to my “bleed”, haven’t noticed much weight gain (probably natural weight gain as I’ve aged but nothing rapid). My bleed is like clockwork every month on a Tuesday and usually lasts 4 days (easy to track). Although I’ve been on it coming up to 3 years now and think it’s time for a change. Weird discharge, lack of sex drive, dryness and terrible mood swings and depression - not sure if it’s just me or the patch, but I will cry over the smallest things. I feel so depressed. Another thing to note is everyone will ask what’s on your arm, and I went to Spain last week and my patch fell off twice with the heat that I’ve just had to take it off and either restart or change to the pill as the pill won’t fall off.

Was charged £60 after not remembering i even had a subscription and not needing them anymore, was not reminded since it’s every 6 months… who remembers they have a subscription that only comes twice a year ??!

I have used the Patch twice in my life - once aged 23, for 6-8 months, and it was a brilliant experience (little to no side effects, no weight gain) and once aged 30, for under a month, with horrific side effects - ultra high anxiety, palpitations, racing thoughts. I’m not sure if there’s been a change in the patch’s hormonal makeup in the past 7 years, but the difference was extreme and strangely, the second time I was mentally in a much better place before starting.

I was prescribed the Patch by a Gynaecologist to help treat pelvic/cervical pain. He refused to do any of the checks required (weight/height/blood pressure). He also gave no information on side effects. If he had done any checks, he’d have worked out i have an obese BMI, which puts me in the at risk category (I was unaware of this before using it). After 2-3 weeks of using it, I suffered a sudden “thunderclap” headache, and was later diagnosed with multiple blood clots in the brain. Blood clots are a huge side effect of the patch, and it’s barely mentioned!

I've had lots of problems with depression and anxiety on the pill and was recommended the patch. In the first month it worked well although when I tried to take it back to back I got painful bloating and cramps as my period tried to start. In month 3 though I had to stop. I became increasingly anxious and noticed that I was struggling to concentrate, not enjoying things, not looking forward to anything, worrying excessively that something bad was going to happen. After spending a lot of the weekend crying, I decided to stop the patch. After a day I already feel a lot more positive again. I will miss my boobs being bigger but the patch just doesn't work for me. I can't live like that.

I am currently on the patch and have mixed feelings. I have been on it for over a year and can confidently say I have significantly less mood swings than I did on Rivigedon. Also increased my breast size by 2 cup sizes which I am very happy about. However, for the first 9 months or so I kept getting thrush religiously every 3-6 weeks even though I never had it before this contraception. Within recent months I do not get it as frequently however still crops up every now and again. However the thing which is making me consider changing is the SIGNIFICANTLY lowered sex drive and vaginas dryness. I feel like not many people do not have this side effect on the patch but I just got unlucky.

I was hesitant to swap contraception to the patch but wish I had done it sooner! Patch is small and discreet and can be placed in areas so it cannot be seen. Only change it once a week and works perfectly. No side defects besides from on the patch free week I don’t have a period. Leaves a sticky patch on skin when taken off but washes off easily. Would recommend to anyone!!!