:d wow you read my mind exactly.. Im going through the same exact thing, just as you explained it.. All of my friends keep telling me not to use the patch, but I want to beause it is so much more convienient and I would feel more comfortable with it than taking pills.. But if I do go on the patch, am I at a much higher risk to blood clots, stroke, etc.? I am 16 years old.. Would this really affect me this much? I mean, I know a lot of women who have been on the patch for a long time and they have had no complications... Idk what to do! :(

~abby

Abby,

i think it depends on each person individually but I have heard that the patches contain about 60% more hormones than the pills do which in turn from what I understand significantly increase the risk for complications. That and the pills have been around and made better since the 1960s and the patches just came out about 4-5 years ago. I would talk to your doctor about these risks and decide which is best for you and your body.
I hope this helps a little

The patch contains exactly the same hormones as the pill. However since the patch is in direct contact with your skin constantly, all of the hormones go directly into your blood stream, instead of being dissapated into your digestive system. Therefore the patch hormones are 60% stronger. There is an increased risk of bloodclots, heart attacks, and strokes due to the stronger estrogen. It has the same affect as pills which were made in the 60's and 70's which were almost 100% estrogen. My aunt died of a heart attack at the age of 23 on the pills. Today the pills has been made so that risks are significantly lower.
Ive been on both the patch and the pill. I am back on the pill now. I couldnt trust the patch as I felt it didnt stay on very well, and it irritated my skin.

I choose the pill over the patch because one of my friends got square scars from her patches. If you've never been on the pill before, try it. You may or may not find that taking a pill every day isn't that bad. Just set your alarm clock for the normal time you wake up and take it when it goes off. That's what I do, and on the weekend I just take my pill and go back to sleep. The pill isn't for every one but i'd say you should give it a shot. I'm on ortho tri cyclen lo and I love it.