Consult your health care provider as soon as possible if you have: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. © 2021 Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. The contraceptive patch is just that, a patch that looks just like a shiny plaster and sticks to the skin, highly effective to prevent you from getting pregnant by releasing hormones. Transdermal contraceptive patch. Planning, making available, and using birth control is called family planning. The birth control patch (trade name Ortho Evra) is a thin, beige, 1 3/4-inch square that sticks to your skin like an adhesive bandage. Bottom line: do whatever works for you to make sure you change your patch on time, all the time. This medication prevents eggs from being released by the ovaries and changes the cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to swim. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 04 December 2003 Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images The birth control patch for women is a type of contraception that contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. Prescribe up to 12 months’ supply for women who are initiating or continuing CHC. You can read about the COC pill in more depth. You’re the best! Accessed Jan. 17, 2019. At a glance: facts about the patch When used correctly, the patch is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Condoms also protect against pregnancy — so using condoms and the patch together gives you awesome pregnancy-preventing power. You wear the patch on certain parts of your body, and it releases hormones through your skin that prevent pregnancy. Contraceptive patch and vaginal contraceptive ring. The birth control patch also thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching an egg. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-32743/ortho-evra-transdermal The patch is applied to the skin once a week for three weeks straight. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/birth-control-methods.html. Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth control only became available in the 20th century. Select from premium Contraceptive Patch of the highest quality. It contains two female hormones, an estrogen called ethinyl estradiol, and a progestin called norelgestromin. You wear the patch on certain parts of your body, and it releases hormones through your skin that prevent pregnancy. It delivers 203 micrograms of norelgestromin (a progestogen) and 33.9 micrograms of ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen) into the systemic circulation over 24 hours for 7 days. The patch has lots of other health benefits, too. Xulane (prescribing information). You'll need a prescription from your health care provider to use the birth control patch. It is a combination contraceptive that contains 2 hormones (norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol) to alter the female reproductive cycle. Hatcher RA, et al., eds. The birth control patch prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from joining with an egg (which is called fertilization). It’s a small, square patch that looks like a plastic bandage. You place the small patch on your skin once a week for three weeks, so that you wear a patch for a total of 21 days. Nope. Accessed Nov. 10, 2015. Xulane is a topical patch that is to be applied and changed once-weekly for 3 weeks then allowing a patch-free week on week 4. Keep your replacement patches in the same place so you don’t lose them. Be patch buddies with friends or family members who also use the patch, and help each other remember. The birth control patch could be an effective, convenient alternative to the birth control pill or other methods of contraception. What is the patch? Here are some tips to help you stay on schedule and remember when it’s time to put on a new patch: Use Spot On, our birth control reminder app or set a weekly alarm on your phone. How it Works The Patch operates on the same premise as the combination birth control pill. Your health care provider will review your medical history and check your blood pressure. Once applied to the skin, the patch releases a continuous dose of contraceptive hormones that are absorbed into your bloodstream through your skin. The birth control patch doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The birth control patch is a method of hormonal contraception. Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide. You wear the patch on your belly, upper arm, butt, or back, and your skin absorbs the hormones into your body. It sticks to your skin and … Please don't check this box if you are a human. Evra is a brand name for the contraceptive patch that's available in the UK. But people aren’t perfect, and it can be easy to make a mistake — so in reality, the patch is about 91% effective. Thanks for your feedback. We couldn't access your location, please search for a location. The patch is used to prevent pregnancy. Birth Control Implant Birth Control Implant is a long-acting birth control contraceptive inserted into the arm. The patch is really good at preventing pregnancy, but it won’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections. Transdermal contraception methods: Today's patches and new options on the horizon. In: Contraceptive Technology. These hormones prevent pregnancy in … Your health care provider may advise against the patch if you: In addition, tell your health care provider if you: Compared to oral contraceptives, less than one out of 100 women will get pregnant during the first year of typical use of the birth control patch. This content does not have an Arabic version. Apply a new contraceptive patch on the same day of the week for 3 consecutive weeks, for a total of 21 days. It is a hormonal method of contraception obtained by prescription. The contraceptive patch is a small, thin, beige coloured patch, nearly 5cm x 5cm in size. Note your patch change days on your calendar. The birth control patch works similarly to combination birth control pills. Store your patches at room temperature, and away from direct sunlight. 2015:16:863. These are similar to the natural hormones produced by the ovaries and are like those used in the combined pill . Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law. No, the contraceptive patch must be worn every day for 21 days, whether or not you have sex. The birth control patch is a thin plastic patch (1 3/4 inch square) placed directly on the skin of the woman. It eliminates the need to interrupt sex for contraception, You don't need your partner's cooperation to use it, It doesn't require daily attention or having to remember to take a pill every day, It's easier to use for women who have trouble swallowing pills, It can be removed at any time, allowing for a quick return to fertility, Have chest pain or a history of heart attack, stroke or severe high blood pressure, Have a history of breast, uterine or liver cancer, Weigh more than 198 pounds (90 kilograms), Have liver disease or migraines with aura, Have diabetes-related complications of the kidneys, eyes, nerves or blood vessels, Developed yellowing of the whites of the eyes or of the skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or when previously taking hormonal contraceptives, Are about to have major surgery and will be unable to move around as usual, Are taking any medications or herbal supplements, Are sensitive to any part of the birth control patch, Are breast-feeding or recently gave birth, had a miscarriage or an abortion, Have concerns about a new breast lump or change in your breast self-exam, Have diabetes, or gallbladder, liver, heart or kidney disease, Have skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema, An increased risk of blood-clotting problems, heart attack, stroke, liver cancer, gallbladder disease and high blood pressure, Sharp chest pain, sudden shortness of breath or coughing up blood, which can be signs of a blood clot, Persistent pain in your calf or other signs of a blood clot in your leg, Sudden partial or complete blindness or other signs of a blood clot in your eye, Crushing chest pain or other signs of a heart attack, Sudden severe headache, problems with vision or speech, numbness in an arm or leg, or other signs of stroke, Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, possibly accompanied by fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine or light-colored bowel movements, Severe trouble sleeping, fatigue or feeling sad, A breast lump that persists through 1-2 menstrual cycles or increases in size, Two missed periods or other signs of pregnancy. The patch is essentially the same type of contraception as the COC pill (often referred to as 'the pill') but as a patch instead of taking pills. Visit the Nigeria Site (DASUBJECTMATTER.ORG). Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. The medication is continuously absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. Find the perfect Contraceptive Patch stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Use a condom with your patch to help stop pregnancy and STDs. How to start EVRA. The patch doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You stick it on your skin and it releases two hormones – estrogen and progestogen. The birth control patch is used to prevent pregnancy. Birth control patch effectiveness. Making a mistake — like forgetting to refill your prescription or not putting on a new patch on time — is the main reason why people might get pregnant when they’re using the patch. That way you’ll be protected from STDs, too. The contraceptive patch is a transdermal patch applied to the skin to release synthetic progestogen and estrogen ("9 Types Of Contraception You Can Use To Prevent Pregnancy"). Combined hormone contraceptives are also available as a patch and as a ring inserted into the vagina. 21st ed. New York, N.Y.: Ayer Company Publishers; 2018. You will not apply a patch during week 4. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. These are similar to the natural hormones produced by the ovaries and are like those used in the combined pill. The patch doesn’t protect you from STDs. Hormone contraceptives are also available as a ring inserted into the blood stream and are like those used in preceding. Currently there is only one hormonal contraceptive patch stock photos and editorial news from... A hormonal method of contraception that contains the hormones our bodies make naturally n't protect against pregnancy — so condoms... 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