The contraceptive patch is a small sticky patch that you stick to your skin and it releases hormones into your body. It is very effective at preventing pregnancy if used correctly.
Each patch lasts for a week. You replace the patch every week for three weeks, then you have a week off without a patch. You’ll be protected against pregnancy during the weeks you are wearing the patch and the patch-free week, and you do not need to do anything else to prevent pregnancy.
The patch does not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To do this, you need to use condoms as well.
It is a small (4cm x 4cm) beige patch you stick on your skin. It releases oestrogen and progestogen (the same hormones that are in the combined oral contraceptive pill) into your body to prevent pregnancy. Unlike the contraceptive pill, you do not have to remember to take a pill every day because each patch lasts for a week.
The patch is used by women (and some transgender men). But contraception is the responsibility of both partners. It is important for everyone to support their partner to use the contraceptive method that is right for them – it is also a way to show you care.
You may not be able to use the patch if:
Certain medications, such as some HIV treatment and antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis and meningitis, can make hormone contraceptives less effective. Check with a healthcare professional about whether the patch is the right contraceptive for you.
From a healthcare professional, either at a sexual health clinic or your local health facility. You might also be able to get it from a community-based programme. For example, some youth-clubs work with youth-friendly nurses to provide sexual health services.
The patch contains the hormones (chemicals made by your body) oestrogen and progestogen which are released into your body through the skin and stop an egg being released (known as ovulation). The hormones also thicken the mucus on your cervix (which joins the vagina to the womb). This blocks sperm so it can’t swim to fertilise an egg.
If you start using the patch during the first five-to-seven days of your menstrual cycle, you'll immediately be able to prevent pregnancy. If you have it after that, you should use condoms for seven days.
You stick the patch directly onto your skin – choose somewhere that is clean, dry, not very hairy, and is not likely to get rubbed off by clothing.
You wear the patch for seven days. On day eight, you change the patch to a new one. You do this every week for three weeks, then you have a week without wearing a patch. After the patch-free week, you put a new patch on and begin the cycle again (three weeks with a new patch each week; then a week without a patch).
During your patch-free week you will probably get some bleeding, like a period, but this doesn’t always happen.
No. Once you stop using the patch, you’ll be able to get pregnant straight away.
Here are a few questions to help kick-off discussions on the issues you need to talk about! You can share them on social, on WhatsApp or just get talking.
It is rare for the patch to fall off. If it does, what you need to do depends on how long the patch has been off your skin for. You might want to choose somewhere to stick the patch where you can see that it's still stuck on.
If it’s been off for less than 48 hours (two days):
If it’s been off for more than 48 hours:
If you’ve remembered about the patch less than 48 hours after you were meant to replace it (you’ve been wearing the same patch for eight or nine days):
If you’ve remembered about the patch more than 48 hours after you were meant to replace it (you’ve been wearing the same patch for ten days or more):
If you’ve forgotten to take your patch off at the end of week three (when you are meant to be in your patch-free week):
And here are some tips to help you remember to take your patch off:
Put on a new patch as soon as possible. You then start your patch cycle from this day – with a new start day and a new patch-change day.
If you forget to put a new patch on for more than 24 hours after you were supposed to put a new patch on (you’ve had 8 days or more not wearing a patch), you may not be protected against pregnancy. You will need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for seven days after putting the new patch on.
And here are some tips to help you remember to put a new patch on:
The patch contains hormones, but these are similar to the hormones the body produces naturally. Some people do experience mood swings – particularly in the first few weeks of using the patch – but not everyone will.
No, this is not usually one of the side effects. Some people think the patch leads to weight gain because a lot of people first get one at an age when their body is changing naturally anyway.
If you are using a patch and experience side effects that you are worried about, talk to your healthcare professional as there are plenty of other contraception methods you can try.
You don’t have to wear the patch in a place many people or anyone would see. You just need to stick the patch to clean, dry skin – this could be on your belly, buttocks (butt cheeks), back or upper arm.
Most people will still get some bleeding during the patch-free week of your patch cycle.
Some types of the patch (including the Xulane and Evra brands) can be used without a patch-free week if you want to skip your period. But these aren't available in all countries.
If someone is thinking about using contraceptive patches, the best thing you can do is give them clear and accurate information, respect their decisions, be open and do not judge.
They might feel embarrassed about discussing sex with you. If they are, connect them with a friendly healthcare professional, a helpline or factual online resources, like this website.
It is a small (4cm x 4cm) beige patch you stick on your skin. It releases oestrogen and progestogen (the same hormones that are in the combined oral contraceptive pill) into your body to prevent pregnancy. Unlike the contraceptive pill, you do not have to remember to take a pill every day because each patch lasts for a week.
The patch is used by women (and some transgender men). But contraception is the responsibility of both partners. It is important for everyone to support their partner to use the contraceptive method that is right for them – it is also a way to show you care.
You may not be able to use the patch if:
Certain medications, such as some HIV treatment and antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis and meningitis, can make hormone contraceptives less effective. Check with a healthcare professional about whether the patch is the right contraceptive for you.
From a healthcare professional, either at a sexual health clinic or your local health facility. You might also be able to get it from a community-based programme. For example, some youth-clubs work with youth-friendly nurses to provide sexual health services.
The patch contains the hormones (chemicals made by your body) oestrogen and progestogen which are released into your body through the skin and stop an egg being released (known as ovulation). The hormones also thicken the mucus on your cervix (which joins the vagina to the womb). This blocks sperm so it can’t swim to fertilise an egg.
If you start using the patch during the first five-to-seven days of your menstrual cycle, you'll immediately be able to prevent pregnancy. If you have it after that, you should use condoms for seven days.
You stick the patch directly onto your skin – choose somewhere that is clean, dry, not very hairy, and is not likely to get rubbed off by clothing.
You wear the patch for seven days. On day eight, you change the patch to a new one. You do this every week for three weeks, then you have a week without wearing a patch. After the patch-free week, you put a new patch on and begin the cycle again (three weeks with a new patch each week; then a week without a patch).
During your patch-free week you will probably get some bleeding, like a period, but this doesn’t always happen.
No. Once you stop using the patch, you’ll be able to get pregnant straight away.
Here are a few questions to help kick-off discussions on the issues you need to talk about! You can share them on social, on WhatsApp or just get talking.
It is rare for the patch to fall off. If it does, what you need to do depends on how long the patch has been off your skin for. You might want to choose somewhere to stick the patch where you can see that it's still stuck on.
If it’s been off for less than 48 hours (two days):
If it’s been off for more than 48 hours:
If you’ve remembered about the patch less than 48 hours after you were meant to replace it (you’ve been wearing the same patch for eight or nine days):
If you’ve remembered about the patch more than 48 hours after you were meant to replace it (you’ve been wearing the same patch for ten days or more):
If you’ve forgotten to take your patch off at the end of week three (when you are meant to be in your patch-free week):
And here are some tips to help you remember to take your patch off:
Put on a new patch as soon as possible. You then start your patch cycle from this day – with a new start day and a new patch-change day.
If you forget to put a new patch on for more than 24 hours after you were supposed to put a new patch on (you’ve had 8 days or more not wearing a patch), you may not be protected against pregnancy. You will need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for seven days after putting the new patch on.
And here are some tips to help you remember to put a new patch on:
The patch contains hormones, but these are similar to the hormones the body produces naturally. Some people do experience mood swings – particularly in the first few weeks of using the patch – but not everyone will.
No, this is not usually one of the side effects. Some people think the patch leads to weight gain because a lot of people first get one at an age when their body is changing naturally anyway.
If you are using a patch and experience side effects that you are worried about, talk to your healthcare professional as there are plenty of other contraception methods you can try.
You don’t have to wear the patch in a place many people or anyone would see. You just need to stick the patch to clean, dry skin – this could be on your belly, buttocks (butt cheeks), back or upper arm.
Most people will still get some bleeding during the patch-free week of your patch cycle.
Some types of the patch (including the Xulane and Evra brands) can be used without a patch-free week if you want to skip your period. But these aren't available in all countries.
If someone is thinking about using contraceptive patches, the best thing you can do is give them clear and accurate information, respect their decisions, be open and do not judge.
They might feel embarrassed about discussing sex with you. If they are, connect them with a friendly healthcare professional, a helpline or factual online resources, like this website.
