The contraceptive patch (transdermal) is a form of hormonal contraception that is worn by a woman to stop her getting pregnant when she has sex.

However, unlike like barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, the contraceptive patch does not protect you from getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The contraceptive patch is very reliable and easy to use. You stick it on a clean, dry, hair-free area of your body, such as your buttocks, stomach, chest (apart from your breasts) or the outside of your upper arm. Make sure the area of skin you choose is clean, dry and not hairy, and that it is not going to be rubbed by tight clothing. You should not put the patch on areas of the skin that are broken or irritated. The patch needs to be changed for a new one each week.

The patch protects you from pregnancy by introducing hormones into your body which prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg.

Contraceptive patches are available from your doctor, local family planning clinic, or sexual health (GUM) clinic.

What the contraceptive patch is used for

The contraceptive patch uses hormones to stop you getting pregnant and, provided that you use it properly, it is very reliable.

The contraceptive patch is a small (5cm x 5cm) skin-coloured patch that you wear on your skin for one week at a time. You change the patch once a week on the same day of the week. You do this for three weeks in a row, and do not use a patch on the fourth week.

During this ‘patch-free’ week, you have a period. This usually starts about four days after you take off the last patch. After a seven-day break, you put a new patch on and start the cycle again (whether you are still bleeding or not).

How the contraceptive patch works

You stick the contraceptive patch on a clean, dry, hair-free area of your skin. This can be anywhere you like, but you should never stick the patch on your breasts. Make sure the patch will not be rubbed by tight clothing, and you should vary its position each week.

Every day, the patch gives you a dose of the female sex hormones, oestrogen and progestogen, that move through your skin and into your bloodstream. These hormones are similar to the hormones that are made naturally by your body, and they control your periods and help to prepare your body for pregnancy.

The hormones in the contraceptive patch stop your ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation) which could then be fertilised by sperm. The combined oral contraceptive pill works in this way too.

The contraceptive patch also has some other effects. It makes the mucus in your cervix (entrance to the womb) get thicker. This makes it difficult for sperm to move through the mucus and into your womb, where it could reach an egg. It also makes the lining of your womb thinner, so that it is harder for an egg to attach to the womb where it could be fertilised.

If you start using the patch on the first day of your period, it starts working straight away. This means you can have sex without getting pregnant. If you start using it on any other day, you need to use an additional form of contraception for the first seven days.

What if the patch falls off?

The contraceptive patch is very sticky, so it should not fall off. However, if it does, it is important to stick it back on as soon as possible (if it is still sticky), or replace it with a new patch. If the patch is missing for less than 48 hours before you replace it, you will still be protected. However, if it is missing for longer than 48 hours (or you are not sure how long it has been missing), you should use another form of contraception, such as condoms, for the next seven days.

If you forget to put a new patch on after the seven day break, you should put a new one on as soon as you remember. If this is more than 48 hours late, you may not be protected against pregnancy and should use another form of contraception for the next seven days. If you had unprotected sex in the previous few days, you may need emergency contraception. See your doctor, practice nurse, or visit your local sexual health (GUM) clinic if you are concerned.

Some women do not always have a bleed in their patch free week. This is nothing to worry about if you have used the patch properly, and you have not taken any medication that could affect it. However, see your doctor or practice nurse for advice if you are worried, or do a pregnancy test to check. If you miss more than two periods, you should always get medical advice.

Advantages of contraceptive patch

If it is used properly, the contraceptive patch is over 99% effective in stopping you from getting pregnant. This means that if 100 women use the patch according to the instructions, less than one will get pregnant in a year.

The contraceptive patch is very easy to use and, unlike some barrier methods of contraception, it does not interrupt sex. It is also very discreet and you can wear it while you are swimming, washing and exercising. Unlike the pill, with the contraceptive patch you do not have to remember to take a pill everyday; you only have to remember to change the patch once every week.

Unlike the combined contraceptive pill, the hormones from the contraceptive patch do not need to be absorbed by the stomach. This means it is just as effective even if you have sickness or diarrhea.
Another advantage of the contraceptive patch is that it tends to make your periods lighter and less painful.

Disadvantages of the contraceptive patch

In some women, the contraceptive patch can cause skin irritation, such as itching and soreness. It also does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so you may need to use condoms as well.Some women get mild side effects when they first start using the contraceptive patch. These include:
• headaches,
• nausea (sickness),
• breast tenderness,
• mood changes, and
• slight weight gain, or loss.

However, these side effects usually settle down after a few months.

Breakthrough bleeding (bleeding between periods) and spotting (very light, irregular bleeding), is common in the first few cycles of patch use. This is nothing to worry about if you are using the patch properly, and you will still be protected against pregnancy.

Some medicines can make the patch less effective. If you are prescribed new medicine by a healthcare professional, you should tell them that you are using the patch. If you are buying over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, you should ask the pharmacist for advice because some complementary medicines, such as St John’s Wort, can affect how the patch works. You might need to use an extra form of contraception while you are taking the medicine, and for two days afterwards.

Related articles:

1. Contraceptive implants and injections
2. Combined contraceptive pill
3. How combined contraceptive pills works
4. Combined contraceptives: Interaction with other medicines
5. Who can use the contraceptive patch

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1. Combined Contraceptive Pill
2. How combined oral contraceptive pills works