Patch vs Combined pill

I initially really liked this contraception - Evra patch - I used it before we planned for our daughter with no issues with side effects, and because I liked it so much, it was the contraception of choice after I gave birth. However, post pregnancy the patch was not good. I was on the patch for almost a year post baby before switching to the implant, and the reason I was on it for a year was simply because I really wanted this contraception to work for me despite not liking the side effects. I love the premise behind the patch. It is so simple to use and I liked that it was on the skin and you applied it yourself, as opposed to something inside your body that you have to book an appointment for a procedure to get it fitted, such as the implant, for example. The reason I changed to the implant from the patch was because I really struggled with irritation at the patch site. I don't know if it was a reaction to the hormones or the glue used to adhere the patch to the skin - possibly the latter - but the irritation was horrendous. The patch would be incredibly itchy and it was unbearable. It would leave me with burn-like marks that would still be there three weeks later, despite rotating the patch site every single week. I used to have to resist the urge to scratch the patch off. Many times I did scratch it off and with it, took a layer of skin off due to irritation. I'd be left with exposed, damaged skin at the site patch which would then scab over as the skin healed. I am usually quite a steady mood person and the patch really affected my mood which was hard. I'd get very down and anxious a couple of days after my patch change day and that would last a day or two. It was similar to the feeling you get before your period, then your period arrives and you're thinking, "Okay so that explains why I was feeling that way - it was my period!" But instead of getting that down/anxious feeling once a month, I'd get it every single week. It was draining not just for me, but also for my partner too. When I placed an order for the patch, I'd get a prescription for 3 months worth of patches but because of the irritation I explained above, I was actually scratching the patch off before my patch change day which reduced my stock of patches earlier than planned. This meant I was putting in more prescription requests than the suggested amount. Scratching the patch off obviously put me at risk of falling pregnant, which didn't happen to me, and even though, I immediately replaced the patch I'd scratched off, it did make me question the effectiveness of the patch. When I spoke to the doctor about scratching the patch off before the change day she couldn't really explain whether that would reduce the effectiveness of the patch or not because I'd replaced it immediately. I am so disappointed that this contraception has not worked for me, but it was really affecting my skin and my mood. The way it affected my skin was intense itching all over my body. It was so bad that I'd scratch until my skin bled. That started about 8 or 9 months into using the patch and I put up with it until I got to 12 months, so for the last 3-4 months of using the patch, I was going stir crazy with the itchiness and skin irritation all over my legs, my feet and my arms. It was debilitating and it was something totally new in my life - I have never had any skin issues before. I initially thought it was my washing powder (I'd not changed the brand) or low iron as I'd developed low iron after I gave birth, but since stopping the patch and changing to the implant, within a month of having the implant, my skin is well on its way to going back to normal - everything is healing. All I can say is, this is my experience of using the EVRA patch. I hope this helps someone reading this but do your research before you decide if it is the right contraception for you. Just because I had all the side effects listed above does not necessarily mean that you will. I didn't have most of these on my first stint of using the patch. I only really had low mood but no skin irritation. It was only after pregnancy and birth that I noticed the side effects second time around.

Patch was a pretty good option. Used it for about a year. No problems mood wise, body and skin stayed the same. Initially got a rash from the glue but my skin got used to it after a month or so. Found it a bit annoying having the patch visible to other people. Took continuously to stop periods, and did breakthrough bleed every 3-4 months. Had to stop using in the end due to hormonal post nasal drip, which got realllyy annoying. Was gutted as it was otherwise so good.

I was really getting on with the patch, ive been on it since 2024 and was on it previously for a couple years. But the last few months ive been really suffering which the patch is definitely contributing to. The last few periods I have been experiencing migraines with aura, I've been getting a lot of brown bleeding, the fatigue is unbearable and I almost passed out. Since ive been experiencing these side effects the last few months, I noticed lumps in my breast around the same time and I have just been diagnosed with fibrocystic tissue disease, which the hormones in the patch is not helping. I also experience a lot of breakthrough bleeding and bleeding after sex since being on the patch. Although, my periods are a lot lighter but I still bleed for 7 days. The period pains have not been as severe as they would be off the patch. It has definitely helped my pcos and adenomyosis.

My overall experience on Yasmin has been awful from the very first day I started taking it, made me lose my personality within one week, my sex drive is usually medium-high but it’s decreased and I’ve lost my appetite along with other side effects which weren’t pleasant. I would not recommend Yasmin if you have a history of mental health like myself too!!

When I first started taking Regividon I had a good experience, minimal side effects and had no changes to my skin, sex drive or weight. However, 3 months into taking Regividon my moods changed, I was snappy and frustrated even over little things 24/7 which affected my relationship so I came off it and went onto a different pill.

pros - clear skin, less oily, went up a cup size, lighter periods and option to skip them entirely cons - after a few years it just got rid of my sparkle. I’ve noticed whenever i stopped using it i was more outgoing, more horny, enjoyed sex more. One of the main reasons was just how dry it was down there making sex feel like a chore.

It's good, it stopped ovulation and didn't have an effect on my body except mental health. The first month was also a challenge, I bled every day (small amount but it was so annoying). Gave me really bad mood swings. It also made my periods somewhat irregular. When i would take placebo pills, even though theres 4 of them for 4 days of period, it would always be longer and never the same amount of days.

Worked well as a contraceptive. I didn’t get pregnant. However I noticed extreme mood swings/anxiety. I had a series of panic attacks whilst on this pill relating to things that normally wouldn’t have pushed me to a panic attack and the weight gain from this pill. The weight gain wasn’t too extreme but it was noticeable in a way that I didn’t like (very bloated, pregnant looking).

I was tri-cycling this pill and passed a a decidual cast after the first 6 weeks with no bleeding ( was not painful to pass). My periods were lighter when breaking between 3 packs. I did get some breakthrough bleeding during my second tri-cycle. I had really tender breasts in the first few months with some breast enlargement but that passed and no other issues.

I was switched from taking the Yasmin pill to Dretine. I was told they had the exact same hormones. I have polycystic ovaries and Yasmin had been working perfectly for me. The first few months on Dretine were hell. I became severely depressed. Crying every day, anxious and mood swings. This lasted 2-3 months. This did get better. But it shouldn’t be the case that you have to go through this when taking the pill. I’ve taken the pill in different ways to help control pain and breakthrough bleeding but nothing something seems to stop the breakthrough bleeding. It’s always dark brown and clots. I also experienced a major increase in my blood pressure. My skin has been clear and pain levels are low.

I didn't start it on day 1 of my period. So this month I got my period anyway. I went to my GP (who prescribed it to me) and we determined it's my period due to timing, consistency etc. Good to note however that since I took it to control menhorragia. 10 days into taking it, my cycle lengthened to a week (minus spotting) and it's a lot less heavy than I know it. I'm hoping to feel better next month and thinking to skip the placebo entirely but I was told it can lengthen the spotting/breakthrough bleeds. There doesn't seem to be a right or wrong. Just trial and error then adjust. Note : Don't take it mid cycle. Take it as they tell you day 1 of your period. I did this because of severe reasons at the time and was also very sick. I hoped it would prevent the usual mess. In a way I succeeded somehow, just not the way I'd have liked. But then I'm too hard on myself too.

Zero libido and very painful to have sex when I tried. Stopped periods which was great for endometriosis but slowed my digestion so much the bloating and endo belly was uncomfortable all the time, caused pain in hips, lower abdomen and lower back. Had constant reflux unless I slept upright which wasn’t ideal.

It was very convenient and I was on it for 28 years. Im not sure if it mighf have been a causal factor in my low sex libido and recurring depressive episodes.