Contraceptive patch

What it is

The contraceptive patch, also called Evra, is a small beige patch applied to the skin like a sticky plaster, which protects against pregnancy.

How it works

The patch releases two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen into the bloodstream through the skin. Like the combined pill it stops the ovaries from releasing an egg for fertilisation every month. It also thickens the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to get into the womb.

Patches can be worn discreetly on most areas of the body, including the upper arm, shoulder or buttocks, but should not be applied to the breasts or to broken or irritated skin.

If you start wearing the patch on the first day of your period, it protects against pregnancy immediately.  If you start wearing the patch at any other time, then you would need to use another method of contraception (such as condoms) for the first seven days of using the patch.  

The patch is worn continuously for seven days, then on the eighth day it should be changed, by removing it, throwing it away carefully and immediately putting on a new one. The patch should be changed every week for three weeks.

After three weeks you don’t wear a patch for seven days. During the patch-free week you may bleed like a normal period.  After seven patch-free days a new one is applied and the four week cycle starts again.

Advantages

Does not interrupt sex.

Can be worn while swimming, having a bath or exercising.

Women do not have to remember to take a pill every day.

The patch is not affected by having diarrhoea or vomitting because the hormones don't need to be absorbed by the stomach.

It can make periods more regular, lighter and less painful.

Disadvantages

Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Can cause skin irritation in some women.

Contains the same hormones as the combined pill, which in a small number of women can cause serious side effects such as blood clots and breast cancer.

How effective is it?

The patch is over 99% effective when used properly. This means that less than one in every 100 women who use the patch get pregnant every year.

What makes it less effective?

If it isn't used according to instructions.

Forgetting to change the patch after seven days.

If the patch falls off and is not reapplied or if a new one is not put on immediately.

Use of some prescription medicines including some antibiotics, medicines used to treat epilepsy, HIV and TB and the complementary medicine St John’s Wort.

Can anyone use this method?

The contraceptive patch is not suitable for all women. A doctor or nurse will need to know about a woman's medical history and any illnesses suffered by immediate members of her family to find out if there are any medical reasons why it might not be suitable.