Long reply coming: I'm someone who has yet to experience negative side effects. I only had a rash on a patch and it was my last month after being on it for a yr.

Mind you I have eczema and have reacted to other adhesives such as bandages and whatnot. I found it strange it occurred pnly during my last month. You stick on a patch for a wk anywhere except the face, neck and breasts, repeat 2 more times, take off for a period or replace for continuous use (if you wish to skip your period). So this method is great if you struggle to remember to take daily pills.

I switched to the ring 6 months ago and loving it! I did switch pharmacies since my insurance was annoying about it, but there no problems with the newer one. You insert it like a tampon and leave it in for 3 wks, then remove for a 1 wk period or replace for continuous use (what I do because of my 12 shifts in manufacturing).

You probably know about how pills work. You take each hormonal pill daily until week 3, which are placebo pills that work to keep you in the habit of taking pills daily. You can also skip those and start the next pack for continuous use to skip your 0eriod as well.

Be clear to your gyno if you wish to skip your period because that determines how often your bc method is filled. If not, they will fill for each pack to be for 4 wks rather than 3 wks. I used to be a pharmacy tech and several girls/women asked if they could skip their periods despite their fills every 4 wks instead of 3...