The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Birth Control Patch Side Effects

The birth control patch looks like a small square band aid and is placed on the woman´s upper torso, upper arm, abdomen or buttocks. A new one is placed on the skin weekly, and hormones are released, causing bodily changes that prevent pregnancy from taking place. Although the FDA has declared it safe, many are beginning to question its safety.

Some of the simplest and most common birth control patch side effects are skin reactions under the patch, nausea, abdominal and menstrual pain, colds and headaches. Life threatening symptoms that need urgent medical attention because of the possibility they will lead to birth control patch death are:

• Any pain or changes in the calf, leg or foot
• Sharp chest pain, lack of breath, coughing up blood
• A heavy feeling in the chest
• Sudden changes in vision
• Signs of a stroke
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin, stomach pain or dark urine
• Unusual or excessive vaginal bleeding
• Vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, fainting and rash
• High blood pressure
• Unexplained swelling, wheezing, difficulty swallowing or breathing

Studies have begun to show that birth control patch side effects are three times more likely to lead to death than the side effects from birth control pills.
Birth control patch side effects are so dangerous that lives are being lost. Women need to seriously ask themselves if the convenience of the patch is really worth the risk.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.