Contraceptive patch 

What is the contraceptive patch? 

The contraceptive patch is a small sticky patch you wear on your skin. You change it once a week. The hormones are absorbed through your skin and mainly work by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation).

How can I get the contraceptive patch in Brighton and Hove? 

The contraceptive patch is free on the NHS. See how to book a contraception appointment to get the patch from Brighton SHAC.

At your appointment, a clinician will talk with you about your medical history, any medicines you take and the contraception you have used before. This helps us check that the patch is safe and suitable for you. If it is not suitable, we can talk through other options and help you find a method that works for you.

You may also be able to get the patch from your GP.

When can I start using the contraceptive patch? 

You can start the contraceptive patch at any time in your menstrual cycle.

If you start on day 1-5 of your period, you are protected from pregnancy straight away.

If you start at any other time, you will need to use condoms (or avoid sex) for the first 7 days.

If you are switching from another hormonal method of contraception, the advice about when to start the patch may be different. A clinician can tell you whether you need to use condoms for a short time after switching.

If there is any chance you could be pregnant, speak to a clinician before starting.

How do I use the contraceptive patch?

Standard use usually follows a 4-week cycle:

• Apply the patch to clean, dry, hairless skin where it is unlikely to be rubbed by tight clothing.
• Good places include your upper arm or back, your stomach or your bottom. Do not put the patch on your breasts.
• Leave the patch on for 7 days, then replace it with a new patch on day 8.
• Do this for 3 weeks, using 3 patches in total.
• After the third patch, have a 7-day patch-free break. You are still protected from pregnancy during this break. Most people have a bleed, sometimes called a withdrawal bleed.
• After the break, start a new patch and repeat the cycle.

Can I use the contraceptive patch without having a break every month?

Yes. You do not have to have a 7-day patch-free break every month. Some people choose to use the patch in a different way, for example by: 

• having a shorter 4-day break
• using patches continuously without a break
• using patches for several weeks before having a short break.

Using the patch in these ways can mean fewer withdrawal bleeds and may help with symptoms that happen during the patch-free break, such as headaches or mood changes.

You still need to change your patch every 7 days. A clinician can talk through the different options with you and help you choose a way of using the patch that suits you.

Can I wear the contraceptive patch in the shower, bath or swimming?

Yes. The patch is designed to stay on during bathing, showering and swimming. Check it regularly to make sure it is fully stuck down.

How effective is the contraceptive patch? 

The contraceptive patch is very effective at preventing pregnancy, but how well it works depends on how it is used. 

Perfect use

With perfect use, the contraceptive patch is more than 99% effective. This means fewer than 1 in 100 people will become pregnant in a year. 

Typical use 

With typical use, the contraceptive patch is around 91% effective. This means around 9 in 100 people may become pregnant in a year. 

Typical use includes forgetting to apply a new patch on time or the patch becoming loose or falling off. 

Possible problems with a contraceptive patch

What should I do if my contraceptive patch falls off?

If the patch has been off for less than 48 hours (or you have continued to use the same patch for up to 48 additional hours) in week 1 after the patch free interval:

• Reapply the patch as soon as possible if it is still sticky
• If it is no longer sticky, apply a new patch
• No additional contraception is required and emergency contraception is not needed if the patch was used correctly earlier in the week and in the 7 days prior to the patch free break
• Keep changing your patch on your usual patch change day.

If the patch has been off for less than 48 hours in weeks 2 or 3 after the patch free break:

• Reapply the patch as soon as possible if it is still sticky
• If it is no longer sticky, apply a new patch
• No additional contraception is required and emergency contraception is not needed if the patch was used correctly in the previous 7 days.

If the patch has been off for 48 hours or more(or you have continued to use the same patch for more than 48 additional hours) in week 1 after the patch free break:

• Apply a new patch as soon as possible and keep patch on until scheduled removal day
• Use condoms or avoid sex for the next 7 days
• Emergency contraception and a follow up pregnancy test may be needed if you have had condomless sex during the patch free week or week 1. Contact Brighton SHAC for advice.

If the patch has been off for more than 48 hours in weeks 2 or 3 after the patch free break:

• Attach the new patch as soon as possible and keep patch on until scheduled removal day
• If the patch was off more than 48 hours in the week prior to the patch free break then omit the patch free break
• Condoms should be used or sex avoided for the next 7 days
• Emergency contraception is not required if patch was used correctly in the previous 7 days.

What should I do if I forget to restart my contraceptive patch after the patch free interval?

If you forget to restart after your patch-free break:

• Apply a new patch as soon as you remember and keep on until the scheduled removal day
• If you are more than 48 hours late restarting, use condoms or avoid sex for the next 7 days
• If you are more than 48 hours late restarting and had condomless sex during or after the patch free break you may need emergency contraception and a follow up pregnancy test. Please contact Brighton SHAC.

Is the contraceptive patch right for me? 

The contraceptive patch may be a good option if you want a method that you only need to remember once a week. Because it contains oestrogen, it is not suitable for everyone. 

The patch may not be suitable if you: 

• are aged 35 or over and smoke
• have migraine with aura
• have had a blood clot, stroke, or certain heart or circulation problems
• have high blood pressure
• have or have had breast cancer
• have certain liver or gallbladder conditions
• have complications from diabetes
• have recently had a baby or are breastfeeding.

A clinician will check your medical history, blood pressure and any medicines you take before prescribing the patch.

Advantages:

• You do not need to remember contraception every day; the patch is changed once a week 
• Vomiting or diarrhoea does not affect how well the patch works because the hormones are absorbed through your skin rather than your stomach 
• It is reversible. Fertility usually returns quickly after stopping, and your menstrual cycle typically returns to its previous pattern within 1-3 months 
• It can make periods more regular, lighter and less painful
• It may improve premenstrual symptoms (PMS) and acne in some people 
• It does not interrupt sex or change how sex feels 
• Combined hormonal contraception is associated with a reduced risk of ovarian, womb (uterine) and bowel cancer.

Disadvantages:

• The patch contains oestrogen and progestogen, so it is not suitable for everyone. A clinician will check if it is safe for you
• It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are needed to reduce the risk of STIs 
• It must be changed on time and stay fully attached to be as effective as possible 
• The patch is visible on your skin 
• Some people get skin irritation where the patch is applied
• There is a small increased risk of blood clots with combined hormonal contraception. Your clinician will assess your individual risk before prescribing.

Can medicines and herbal remedies affect the contraceptive patch?

Yes. Some medicines and herbal remedies can affect how well the contraceptive patch works or interact with the hormones it contains. This includes some medicines used to treat epilepsy, tuberculosis (TB) or HIV, and St John’s wort. 

Tell a doctor, nurse or pharmacist that you use the contraceptive patch before starting any new medicine or herbal remedy. They can advise whether you need additional contraception or a different contraceptive method.

What side effects and risks can the contraceptive patch cause? 

Does the contraceptive patch cause weight gain?

There is no evidence that using the contraceptive patch causes weight gain.

What are common side effects?

Changes to your bleeding pattern, including breakthrough bleeding or spotting, are common in the first few months of using the patch. 

Some people also report headaches, feeling sick or dizzy, sore breasts or mood changes. There is not enough evidence to say whether all of these symptoms are caused by the patch. 

If side effects are still causing you problems after around 3 months, contact your GP or Brighton SHAC. Trying a different method of contraception may help. 

Less common but more serious risks 

Serious side effects are uncommon. However, combined hormonal contraception can slightly increase the risk of raised blood pressure, blood clots (affecting up to 1 in 1,000 people using combined hormonal contraception), and breast and cervical cancer. The small increased cancer risk returns to normal around 10 years after stopping. 

Your clinician will assess your medical history and individual risk factors before prescribing. Your blood pressure will be checked before you start and monitored while you are using the method. 

If you develop severe chest pain, shortness of breath, severe leg pain or swelling, sudden vision problems, or a severe headache unlike your usual headaches, seek urgent medical advice.