What Katy women need to know about the contraceptive patch

In Katy Area Women Need to Know About the Contraceptive Patch

When it comes to birth control, patients in Katy have plenty of choices. From condoms or diaphragms that can be inserted or used just before intercourse to oral pills that must be taken every day to shots or patches that are administered or applied on a regular schedule, women have many options to consider. Often the choice for birth control is made based on lifestyle habits, costs, and potential side effects.

The birth control patch is a popular contraceptive option for women who want a method that is effective, yet doesn’t require them to think about it every day. Dr. Taryll Jenkins of Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine in Katy, TX, has helped many patients decide which birth control method is best. Here, he shares information about the birth control patch:

The birth control patch is applied to the skin weekly for three weeks in order to prevent pregnancy. The patch delivers safe and effective hormones that prevent pregnancy by keeping eggs from leaving the ovaries. It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from joining the eggs.
After three weeks, the patch is removed and the skin remains patch free for a week. The following week a new patch is applied.
As with nearly all birth control methods, effectiveness is controlled by properly administering the product. When the new patch is applied at the right time, this method is 99% effective. For those who don’t always use the patch as directed, it is 91% effective.
For many patients using the birth control patch, the greatest benefit aside from preventing pregnancy is that she only has to think about once a week instead of every day or in the moments before intercourse. For others, it offers additional benefits such as causing the menstruation periods to become shorter, lighter, and more predictable. Furthermore, because the medication is in the woman’s body it allows her to be more spontaneous during intercourse.
Like all hormone-based birth control, there are potential side effects such as bleeding between periods, tender breasts, feeling nauseous or vomiting. If you experience these side effects, it’s important to speak with your physician.

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New patients please call:
855-346-8610

Existing patients please call:
281-347-2600

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If you’re considering a new birth control method and have questions about the patch or any other form, call Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine today.

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Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine
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We offer general care, gynecology, and obstetrics services that span all stages of a woman's life. Dr. Taryll L. Jenkins, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his Doctorate of Medicine from Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, TN. He completed his residency training at the University of Texas and Hermann Hospital, TX and is Board-certified from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, with years of research experience.

Having graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Chemistry in 2011, Dr. Stephanie Roy received her Doctor of Medicine Degree in 2015 from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Today, she is a leading Board-certified physician who works hard to provide you and your family with high-quality services. In addition to spending time at the practice, Dr. Roy possesses extensive volunteer experience in the community. She was also a tutor at the Medical Careers Diversity Program in 2012 and, since then, has spent her free time volunteering for the St. Vincent’s Clinic.

Dr. Tiffany Ikwuagwu is passionate about caring for the diverse communities in Katy, TX. Having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, her medical degree at the Baylor College of Medicine, and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the McGovern Medical School, she worked as principal investigator on a research project with Dr. Nana Ankumah at UT Houston. A member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Ikwuagwu has served in several leadership roles and has made many contributions to the community.

Yara Ramirez, MD, earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University and her doctorate in medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, where she also completed her residency. She won the Resident Teaching Award from UTMB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for two consecutive years.
Dr. Ramirez has researched extensively on many obstetrics-related topics. She has been a Junior Fellow Representative for the UTMB Residency Program and a Medical Student Education Committee Member at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has volunteered for various local and foreign community programs. Her fluency in Spanish and French is an asset to her organization.

Nadia Alexander is a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center. With seven years of experience in women’s health and a focus on obstetrics and ambulatory gynecology (vaginitis, UTI, and vaginal bleeding), she provides quality, compassionate care to patients in various stages of reproductive life. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is the lead contact for our Telehealth service.