Gynaecologist warns obese women against the Patch

Overweight or obese women are warned against using the recently introduced contraceptive patch as they risk developing potentially fatal blood clots.

Gynaecologist & Obstetrician, Dr Ponatshego Gaolebale has warned overweight women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 35, as well as those suffering from migraines, high blood pressure and diabetes, not to use the patch unless properly assessed by a qualified person and counselled.

The patch, introduced by Ministry of Health recently contains a combination of the two female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which are also used in the Pill. It is worn by women as an alternative to the Pill and kept on their arms for a week at a time, releasing its dose over the seven days.

“Even a slightly higher risk can be critical because blood clots can trigger heart attacks, strokes and blockages in lungs or blood vessels, which in rare cases have been fatal, even among young women,” he explained.

That is why, he went on, “it’s important for anyone considering using it to undergo proper counselling and assessment from a qualified person. The aim is to ensure they are not given to women with a higher inherent risk of developing these blood clots.”

Despite these safety concerns, Dr Gaolebale stressed that the patch fills a unique niche among birth control methods.“It offers what many women are looking for, a highly effective method of birth control that is simple and easy to use.” He said it is 99 percent effective, like the Pill, and uses technology similar to the nicotine patches used to wean smokers off their habit.

Some of the clinics currently offering the service include Mafitlhakgosi Clinic, Tlokweng Clinic, Nkoyaphiri Clinic and University of Botswana.