Expert: Diane Cheryl - 8/5/2007

Question
Hi,
I had my 1st (and hopefully last) abortion in mid June 07 and was never pregnant prior to. I am currently on the patch. I began the patch about 2 weeks after my procedure. I have had one normal period since taking the patch and having my procedure. I have begun my second month on the patch, I am on my third patch of this set and have about a week to go until my period should normally begin. However I have been bleeding for the past 4 days with a few tiny clots. It is not heavy bleeding. Its too much for a panty liner but not enough to fill a thin maxi worn for a few hours. I am wondering if this is normal or if I should be concerned. I have made an apointment with the doctors who performed my procedure but I just wanted to get a different point of view.
Thanks for your response....

Answer
Hi Rachel,

Thanks for your question. I'm not a medical doctor so I do advise you to check it out with your physician. I don't recommend the patch because of what I've read about dangers and side effects.
Here are some of the risks that I read in an article. Also, the manufacturer states: "You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use the patch than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen.
The risks associated with using the patch are similar to the risks associated with the birth control pill. Other risks and side effects include:

Risk of blood clots in the legs or lungs.

Less effective in women weighing more than 198 pounds

Irregular bleeding

Weight gain

Breast tenderness

Less protection than for birth control pills against ectopic pregnancy, if pregnancy occurs while using the patch (an ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. Such pregnancies carry risks to the mother and must be terminated properly.)

Anyway, that's just my opinion and if you want to discuss this more, just email me at DCHERYL51@yahoo.com

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl