Patch and body hair increase

After switching from the combined pill due to depression, I was interested in the patch as I could change it weekly instead of remembering to take a pill everyday. I started the patch and my periods became regular and my mood increased greatly, I do experience bad PMS but It is much better compared to when I was on the pill. I do get cramps sometimes between periods but nothing too bad. You can also use the patch to skip periods but I enjoy having a regular “cycle” and when I did use it to skip a period for a holiday I ended up spotting for a month! Overall the patch is great for me and I don’t plan on changing as it has helped my mental health so much.

Since starting this contraceptive I've experience lumpier swollen breasts which has made me slightly nervous, although in general it's a sure contraceptive method and has been I think better for my moods. I've now been refferred to get a breast scan in a few weeks for a lump that's only v recently developed and been looked into because of the severe tenderness, constant sore feeling on my boobs.

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.