The choices Contraceptive patch

Contraceptive patch

What is a contraceptive patch?

The patch contains the hormones oestrogen and progestogen. Each patch lasts for seven days and is used for three weeks followed by a patch free week. The thin sticky patch releases a daily dose of hormones into your blood stream. The patch can be applied up to and including the fifth day of your period and protects immediately against pregnancy. However this may not be the case if you have short cycles so you should discuss with your doctor or nurse. If started on any other day, another method of contraception must also be used for seven days.

How does it work?

The contraceptive patch works in the same way as the combined contraception pill by:

• Stopping your ovaries releasing an egg
• Thickening the mucus of the cervix to act as a barrier to sperm
• Stopping a fertilised egg settling by keeping the lining of the womb thin

How effective is it?

The patch is over 99% effective when used correctly.

What are the benefits?

• You do not have to remember to take a pill every day – you only need to change the patch once a week
• Doesn't interrupt sex
• Hormones do not have to go through the stomach so protection is not affected by sickness or diarrhoea
• May help with pre-menstrual symptoms (PMT)
• It may reduce the risk of cancer of the ovary, womb and colon
• It may reduce the risk of fibroids, ovarian cysts and breast disease that is not cancer
• Regular, lighter and less painful periods

Who may not be able to / may not want to use it?

Women who:

• Are over 35 years old and stopped smoking less than a year ago
• Are overweight (BMI of 30 kg/m or over)
• Have had blood clots in any vein or artery
• Have had circulatory disease or a heart abnormality
• Suffer from migraines with aura
• Have diabetes complications or have had diabetes
• Have breast cancer or have had it within the last five years
• Have active liver or gall bladder disease
• Take certain medicines that interfere with the effectiveness of the patch
• Don't want their contraception to be visible
• Might be pregnant

Possible side-effects?

Not all women will experience side-effects.

• Skin irritation
• Increase in your blood pressure
• Breakthrough bleeding
• Temporary increased chance of breast tenderness, headaches, nausea and mood changes
• Very small increased risk of blood clots
• A small increase in risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer / cervical cancer

What if:

The patch falls off within the first 48 hours?

• Remove the old patch and put a new one on
• If it isn't sticky, remove the old patch and put a new one on

The patch falls off and has been on for more than 48 hours?

• Apply a new patch as soon as possible. You will now have a new day of the week as your start day and change day
• Use another method of contraception for the next seven days and if you have had sex in the previous few days, ask your doctor or nurse for advice

I forget to take the patch off at the third week?

• Take the patch off as soon as you remember and put a new one on on your usual start day
• No additional contraception needs to be used as you should be protected from pregnancy

I forget to put a new patch on?

Put on a patch as soon as you remember. If you put on a new patch 48 hours or more after the usual start day, then you need to use additional contraception as you may not be protected against pregnancy.

I want to become pregnant?

Ideally you should stop using your patch at the end of the patch cycle and wait for one period before trying to get pregnant. Waiting means the pregnancy can be dated more accurately and you can start pre-pregnancy care, such as taking folic acid and stopping smoking.

This method does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections, so you may need to use a condom as well.

Remember: Contact your doctor or nurse if you have any concerns or are worried / unsure about anything to do with your contraception.