Does the Seasonale birth control pill have many side effects? How about the patch?

side effects are:

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
路 an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
路 possible blood clot in the lung (shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or pain in the chest); the leg (pain, redness, swelling, or numbness of the leg); or the eye (partial or complete loss of vision);
路 chest pain or heaviness in the chest (possible heart attack);
路 severe headache or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, vision or speech disturbances, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg (may indicate a stroke);
路 breast lumps;
路 possible liver problems (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue).
鈥? Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel and talk to your doctor if you experience
路 breakthrough bleeding or spotting;
路 headache;
路 nausea or vomiting;
路 breast tenderness;
路 depression;
路 changes in weight or appetite;
路 changes in skin color; or
路 changes in fit of contact lenses.
鈥? Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

The Patch:

Advantages to using the patch?

The patch serves as a visible reminder that you are using your birth control. (If a patch falls off -- you know to put another one on. It also tends to be a good reminder to change the patch at the right time.)
It provides a weekly birth control method that does not require daily maintenance, like the pill, or require insertion before intercourse, like a diaphragm or cervical cap.

Disadvantages to using the patch?

The risks associated with using the patch are similar to the risks associated with the birth control pill. Other risks and side effects include:

Risk of blood clots in the legs or lungs.

Less effective in women weighing more than 198 pounds

Irregular bleeding

Weight gain

Breast tenderness

hope that helps

Seasonale has more side effects of break through bleeding and cramping because a woman is supposed to have a period every month and when you give yourself the hormones to stop that your body doesn't always react well. The patch is just as affective as the pill, with alot less remembering and the same amount of side effects. I would stay away for the seasonle though. especially if you want to have children later on in life.
With Seasonal, you do get a lot of spotting, especially in the first 6 months. Also, your periods tend to be heavier, but you only have 4 per year. I think it's worth the side effects.

I don't know about the patch.
I know the seasonal pill can cause spotting. That's enough to keep me away. I don't want to be somewhere and expectantly realize that I'm bleeding, even if it is only spotting. I'll stick to the monthly pills. I know when I'm going to have my period, down to the exact time of day it will start.