Are Periods Different on the Patch?
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
I am taking Ortho Evra and this period came early -- like a week early and it's brown spotting. It's not anything near as heavy as my normal period; it's actually more like my period when it ends. I also noticed that I don't have cramping like I usually do.
My sister who is studying to be a nurse said that I might be pregnant. I do get a little sick to my stomach but it's been at weird times and I haven't been weird around food. I do have some breast tenderness. My husband told me to take a test but I'm afraid it might be too early. I haven't never had symptons like this with birth control before. What do you suggest?
Sophia
ANSWER
The patch only comes in one strength, and it may not be what you are used to. It may take a few months to get used to it, or it may not be the right method for you. If you don't get your period at the normal time, then do a test just to be sure.
But if it's negative, don't be surprised if you find that you bleed a lot less (or more!) on the patch until your system gets used to it.
-- Cynthia, CNM. PhD.
Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, is the General Director of the Family Health and Birth Center which provides prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in Washington, D.C. Recently Cynthia served as Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center where she cared for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
