Patch vs Female condom

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.

Same as the male condom, has no side effects and will protect from STIs and pregnancy! The only thing its a little fiddly to get on and if you don't react well to latex then not ideal!

These condoms prevent me from getting UTIs, I can't have sex without them! I think it's because the part of the condom that sticks out covers my urethra and prevents bacteria from spreading. They're a little hard to use at first, and some brands are better than others, but I highly recommend them to everyone.

Tried it a couple times with different partners. Mixed reactions. I practiced inserting prior to anything, so it was easy, especially after a couple of tries. Sex felt no different for me and one of the partners. One didn't like the appearance and the other the feel. One thing I love is that it doesn't have that nasty latex smell! You can also use any lube. Overall, I think it is a great option for many people, but (like everything) you should try it a few times for yourself. Also great if you run into situations where the guy is resisting wearing a condom himself.

Used it once - it came off inside me within 5 minutes and I didn't realise so ended up having completely unprotected sex and having to get a STI test.