The contraceptive patch is not suitable for everyone. If you are thinking of using the patch, the healthcare professional that you see will first ask you about your health and your family medical history. It is very important to tell them about any illnesses, or operations, that you have had, or medications that you are currently taking.

You will not be able to use the patch if:
• you are, or think you might be, pregnant,
• you are breastfeeding, or
• you smoke and you are over 35 years of age.

There are also some medical conditions that mean that you cannot use the contraceptive patch. You will not be able to use the patch, if you have or have ever had any of the following conditions:
• thrombosis (blood clots) in a vein or artery,
• a heart problem, or disease affecting your blood circulatory system (including high blood pressure),
• serious migraines, or migraines with aura (visual problems),
• breast cancer,
• active disease of the liver or gall bladder,
• diabetes, and
• bleeding from your vagina that does not have an obvious cause (such as between periods, or after sex).

If you weigh more than 90 kilograms (14 stone) the contraceptive patch may not work as effectively, so you may want to think about using other forms of contraception.

You can get the contraceptive patch from your doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health (GUM) clinic. If you would rather not see your own doctor, you can see any other doctor in the practice.

When you first get the contraceptive patch, you will be given some weeks supply (how many weeks supply you will get will depend on your doctor) to see how you get on with it. After this, you will be prescribed the patch for between six months to a year.

If you are not sure where your nearest GUM clinic or family planning clinic is, check the telephone directory to find out. Alternatively, you can use internet search engine facility.

Risks of using contraceptive patch

As with the combined contraceptive pill, there is a very small risk of serious side effects when you use a hormonal contraceptive, such as the contraceptive patch. However, because your medical history is checked before you start using the patch, women at a higher risk of serious side effects are prevented from using it.

The patch slightly increases your chance of developing a blood clot, which can block a vein (venous thrombosis) or an artery (arterial thrombosis or heart attack or stroke). The risk of this is higher if you have ever had a thrombosis, you are overweight, you are immobile (unable to move), or use a wheelchair. Also, if a close family member had a venous thrombosis before they were 45 years of age, you probably will not be able to use the patch.

Your risk of arterial thrombosis is higher if you smoke, you are diabetic, have high blood pressure (hypertension), you are very overweight, regularly have migraine with aura (visual problems), or if a close family member had a heart attack, or stroke, before they were 45 years of age. Again, you probably will not be prescribed the patch if any of these circumstances apply to you.

Current research suggests that all types of hormonal contraception can vary slightly increase your risk of breast cancer. Currently, research into this shows that evidence is complex and varied, but it has shown that women who use hormonal contraception have a very small added risk of developing breast cancer, compared to those who do not. Research is continuing to provide more definite evidence.

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3. How combined contraceptive pills works
4. Combined contraceptives: Interaction with other medicines
5. Contraceptive Patch

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