AboutAllison Expertise I can answer questions on birth control including how they work, the pros and cons of different methods, why you might choose one over the other, how to correct mistakes you may have made in using the device and more. As well, I can help with general knowledge on STIs, symptoms, incubation, transmission, and treatment.
Experience I have experience in birth control and sexual health education counselling since 2003. I have worked with two affiliates of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and have been extensively trained by them. As well, I have a Masters in Applied Science (Sexual Health).
Question My question is about the risks of getting pregnant while on the patch. Can you explain to me why the 4th week is safe even though the patch is not worn? The women at planned parenthood have assured me numerous times that it's been scientifically proven and it's highly impossible to become pregnant during this time. I'm probably just overly paranoid, but I'd like to understand WHY this is so. All the research I've done shows that is IS possible to get pregnant during menstruation, and sometimes the days before or after your period are the most fertile. If I take the patch off Monday, and my period begins Wednesday, what is to prevent a sperm from surviving and being around to fertilize an egg? I know the patch works to prevent ovalation, and I'm figuring that it does so 3 weeks, but when one takes the patch off the 4th week, is it possible to ovalate, or are the hormones still supposedly working? Why is this week still safe? Thanks so much!
Answer Dear Suanna,
Hormonal birth control methods (such as the patch, the pill, the ring) all work by stopping ovulation so that there is no egg released for the sperm to fertilise. The amount of hormones you need in your body for the ovulation to stop is provided in the 3 weeks of the patch that you use and so this is why the fourth week is unnecessary.
What you have researched about fertility during various times of your cycle would only be applicable to women NOT on any form of hormonal birth control. If you are are hormonal birth control it is quite different in that if you use the patch *correctly* you will not ovulate (99.7% effective) and so discussions of fertility are not relevant to you.
