"i&#039;m 17 &amp; i&#039;ve been on the patch for 4 months now. before this i had been on the pill for a few years but it started to become inconvenient. the patch is very convenient for me. i&#039;ve tried quite a few birth controls for my heavy and painful periods but nothing has ever worked. the patch hasn&#039;t made too much of a difference in that area but my skin is clear &amp; i&#039;m definitely protected from pregnancy.  the first two months my period was really bad but it got better. i&#039;m happy with the patch and i recommend it.  one downside is the color of it though. i&#039;m african american so my skin is brown and the patch is kind of pink like a bandaid. no big deal though."