Xulane can also go on your upper outer arm. Certain birth control pills contain a different form of progestin called drospirenone. With typical use (when you also factor in people who may use it imperfectly or incorrectly), the patch fails 9 percent of the time, which is the same typical use failure rate associated with the pill and the ring. Even so, the risk of having any heart problems or blood clots is extremely low. If you had unprotected sex during this time, you can use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy. The theory is that higher levels of body fat may make it harder for your body to absorb the hormones as effectively, Dr. Quinlan says. Cons: Insertion might be uncomfortable. Ad Choices, 11 Things You Should Know About the Birth Control Patch. Once a week for three weeks, you place a small patch on your skin, so that you wear a patch for a total of 21 days. But its still possible to get pregnant during that time, even if your period isnt regular or you havent gotten your period yet since stopping the patch. If youre interested in the patch, here are a few things you need to know. If the patch wont stick all the way back on your skin again, or you lost it, put a new patch on right away. It can also raise the potassium level in your blood, which could be dangerous for your heart. If the patch does not stick completely, put on a new patch immediately. "Changes in the amount and type of hormones increase the risk of melasma caused by . You can put the patch on your upper outer arm, butt, stomach, or back. Instead of taking it off for the fourth week, just put a new patch on. Its just like how you can skip the placebo week with certain birth control pills and go straight to the next pack in order to skip a period. XULANE must stick securely to your skin to work properly. The birth control patch also thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg. promote a healthy skin tone, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and help reduce the severity of acne breakouts. Perhaps youre more of an IUD person. Birth control can cause different side effects, including skin conditions, depending on the hormones used. If you stop using the patch, your period will go back to the way it was before you started using it. Irregular . abortion, use a non-hormonal contraceptive method of birth control, such as a If your patch does fall off, reapply it if you can. Accessed April 13, 2021. Hormones from XULANE get into the blood stream and are processed by the body differently than hormones from birth control pills. Thanks for your feedback. the same location as the previous patch. The forth week does not require a patch. The contraceptive vaginal ring is a flexible, lightweight device that is inserted into the vagina. The pill, patch and ring are medications that you take to prevent pregnancy. It has always bothered me that the patch is the color of Caucasian skin, Maura Quinlan, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, tells SELF.