Birth control patch

Overview

The birth control patch is a type of birth control that has the hormones estrogen and progestin in it. You wear the patch on your skin to prevent pregnancy. To get the birth control patch, you need a prescription from a healthcare professional.

Once a week for three weeks, you place a patch on your skin. That means you wear the patch for a total of 21 days. During the fourth week, you don't wear a patch. That typically allows for menstrual bleeding during the fourth week.

The birth control patch works in a way that's similar to combination birth control pills. The birth control patch prevents pregnancy by putting hormones into the blood. Those hormones keep the ovaries from releasing an egg, a process called ovulation. The birth control patch also makes cervical mucus thicker. That helps keep sperm from reaching an egg.

The patch doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To help prevent STIs, use a condom during sex.

Why it's done

The birth control patch is used to prevent pregnancy. The patch has some benefits that other types of birth control don't have:

• You don't have to stop sex to use it.
• You can use it without a partner's help.
• You don't have to think about it every day.
• It gives a steady dose of hormones.
• It's easier to use than birth control pills if you have trouble swallowing pills.
• You can take it off at any time, allowing for a quick return to fertility.

The birth control patch isn't a good choice for everyone though. Your healthcare professional may advise against the patch if you:

• Are age 35 or older and smoke.
• Weigh more than 198 pounds (90 kilograms) or have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
• Take certain medicines.
• Are sensitive to any part of the birth control patch.
• Are about to have major surgery.

You also may not be able to use the birth control patch if you have some medical conditions, including:

• Chest pain or a history of heart attack, stroke or very high blood pressure.
• A history of blood clots.
• A history of breast or liver cancer.
• Liver disease.
• Migraine.
• Health concerns linked to diabetes that affect the kidneys, eyes, nerves or blood vessels.
• Vaginal bleeding without a known cause.
• A history of jaundice during pregnancy or jaundice when you used birth control containing hormones in the past. Jaundice causes the whites of the eyes and the skin to turn yellow.

Risks

With perfect use, pregnancy happens in less than 1 out of 100 people during the first year using the birth control patch. Pregnancy rates are estimated to be about 7 out of 100 people during a year of typical use. Typical use might include forgetting to change the patch on time or the patch coming loose from the skin for a long time.

The birth control patch doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To help prevent STIs, use a condom during sex.

Side effects of the birth control patch may include a higher risk of:

• Blood-clotting issues.
• Gallbladder disease.
• Heart attack.
• High blood pressure.
• Stroke.

The birth control patch may cause some pain, including:

• Belly pain.
• Breast tenderness or pain.
• Headache.
• Pain with periods.

Other side effects of the birth control patch can include:

• Acne.
• Bleeding or spotting between periods.
• Bloating or fluid retention.
• Diarrhea.
• Dizziness.
• Muscle spasms.
• Mood swings.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Skin irritation.
• Tiredness.
• Vaginal infections and discharge.
• Weight gain.

Some research shows that the birth control patch may raise the level of estrogen in the body more than combination birth control pills do. This may mean there's a slightly higher risk of side effects linked to estrogen, such as blood clots, in patch users than in people who take combination birth control pills.

How you prepare

Make an appointment with a healthcare professional to get a prescription for the birth control patch.

At the appointment, your healthcare professional will likely review your medical history and check your blood pressure.

Tell your healthcare professional about any medicines you take. Include medicines you buy without a prescription as well as any herbal products and supplements you take.

Tell your healthcare professional if you have:

• Diabetes.
• Gallbladder, liver, heart or kidney disease.
• High cholesterol or high triglycerides.
• Periods that aren't regular.
• A new breast lump or a breast change found while doing a breast self-exam.
• Depression.
• Skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema.

If you are breastfeeding, recently gave birth, or have had a pregnancy loss, such as a miscarriage or an abortion, tell your healthcare professional before you start using the birth control patch.

What you can expect

Decide on a start date

If you're using the birth control patch for the first time, you can start it on the first day of your menstrual period. If you choose this "first-day start," you typically don't need another form of birth control.

Or you can start using the patch on the first Sunday after your period starts. This is called the Sunday start. But with a Sunday start, you need to use another form of birth control for seven days.

You may be able to start using the patch the same day as your appointment with a healthcare professional. This is called a quick start.

Talk with your healthcare professional about which start date may be best for you.

Choose where to put the patch

You can put the patch on your buttock, upper outer arm, lower belly or upper body. Don't put it on your breasts or in a place where it will be rubbed, such as under a bra strap. Put it on clean, dry skin. Don't put it on skin that has changed color or is irritated or cut. Don't put lotions, creams, powders or makeup on the skin where you will place the patch. If skin irritation develops, take off the patch and put on a new patch in a different area.

Put the patch on your skin

To place the birth control patch on your skin:

• Carefully open the foil pouch.
• Lift one corner of the birth control patch.
• Peel the patch and the plastic liner away from the pouch.
• Peel away half of the protective clear lining. Be careful not to cut, change or damage the patch.
• Put the sticky surface of the patch on your skin and remove the rest of the liner.
• Press down firmly on top of the patch with the palm of your hand for about 10 seconds.
• Smooth out the patch. Make sure that the edges stick well.

Leave the patch on for seven days. Don't take it off when you bathe, shower, swim or exercise.

Change the patch

Take off the old patch and put on a new birth control patch each week, on the same day of the week, for three weeks in a row. Put each new patch in a different area of skin to avoid irritation.

After you take off a patch, fold it in half with the sticky sides together and throw it in the trash. Don't flush it down the toilet. Use baby oil or lotion to remove any adhesive that's left on your skin.

Check the patch regularly to make sure it's still in place

If part or all of the patch comes off your skin and you can't get it to stick to the skin again, replace it with a new patch right away. Don't put a patch back on if it's no longer sticky, if it gets stuck to itself or something else, or if it has other material stuck to it.

Don't use other adhesives or wraps to hold a patch in place. If part or all of a patch comes off your skin for more than 24 hours, put on a new patch. Then use another form of birth control for one week.

Skip the patch during the fourth week

Don't put on a new patch during the fourth week. You'll typically have a period during that week. After the fourth week ends, put on a new patch the same day of the week that you put on a patch during the weeks before.

If you're late putting on a new patch, use another form of birth control

If you're late putting on the birth control patch by one day or more the first week, or by more than two days the second or third week, put on a new patch right away. Then use another form of birth control for seven days.

Get medical care right away if you have any of the following symptoms while you're using the birth control patch.

Symptoms of a blood clot, such as:

• Sharp chest pain.
• Sudden shortness of breath.
• Coughing that brings up blood.
• Leg pain that doesn't go away.
• Sudden vision loss.

Symptoms of a heart attack, such as:

• Pain, pressure or tightness in the chest or upper belly.
• Pain in the jaw, neck or upper back.
• Shortness of breath.
• Fainting.
• Breaking out in a cold sweat.

Symptoms of a stroke, such as:

• Sudden severe headache.
• Issues with vision.
• Trouble speaking.
• Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg.

Symptoms of jaundice, including yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.

Talk with your healthcare professional as soon as possible if you have any of the following symptoms:

• A lot of trouble sleeping.
• Feeling very tired.
• Serious belly pain or tenderness.
• A breast lump that lasts through one or two menstrual cycles or gets bigger over time.
• Sadness that lasts over time.
• Two missed periods or other signs of pregnancy.