The birth control patch is a patch that you place on your skin once a week to prevent pregnancy. This method is about 93% effective and does not prevent any sexually transmitted infections.
The patch contains estrogen and progesterone that work together to prevent pregnancy.
How to Use the Patch
You place the patch on clean dry skin once a week. It's important to rotate where you place the patch each week to prevent skin damage. You can put the patch on your upper arms, lower back, belly or thighs. Do not put the patch on your breast tissue or genitals.
You place a new patch every week for the first 3 weeks of the month. On the 4th week, you leave the patch off to have a period. If you desire to skip your period, you place a new patch every week without skipping. Some patients have bleeding outside of their period time when using patches continuously.
Side Effects and Considerations
It's normal to have some side effects in the first two weeks after starting the patch. Some people experience nausea, breast tenderness and an increase in acne. This usually stops after the first two weeks and does not return.
Not everyone is a candidate for estrogen containing birth control. If you have high blood pressure, a history of a blood clot in your legs or your lungs, migraines with aura or seeing flashy lights, use nicotine, or just had a baby, you are not a candidate for estrogen. Estrogen use puts anyone with these conditions at higher risk for blood clots or worsening heart disease.
It is also important to note that the patch is one of the few birth control methods that has a weight related warning. If your BMI is greater than 30, the patch may not be as effective at preventing pregnancy. This doesn't mean you can't use the patch, but you need to understand the risk that it may not prevent pregnancy well for you.
Common Concerns
The biggest complaint we commonly hear about the patch is issues with it sticking. Some of the brands that stick better are sometimes not covered by insurance or are more expensive. If you are happy with the patch, but struggle with the adhesive sticking, we suggest using medical tape or a bandaid to help it stick better.
If you are sensitive to adhesives on your skin, this is probably not the best method for you either because the patch must remain on the skin the entire week to work to prevent pregnancy.
The patch is another method that doesn't require daily use and is discreet!
Learn More About Birth Control Options
This article is part of Haven Health Education, where we explain birth control options so you can make informed decisions about your reproductive health.
Birth Control Patch Prescriptions in Greensboro and Across North Carolina
If you are considering the birth control patch, Haven Health provides birth control counseling and prescriptions in Greensboro, North Carolina and by telehealth across the state.
Many patients have questions about how the patch works, how to use it correctly, and whether an estrogen-containing method is right for their health history. Haven Health helps you understand how the patch fits into your overall reproductive health plan.
Patients from Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, Oak Ridge, Summerfield, Kernersville, and surrounding Guilford County communities visit Haven Health for personalized contraceptive care.
If you live anywhere in Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Asheville, Wilmington, or other North Carolina communities, you can schedule a virtual visit to discuss your birth control options and receive a prescription without needing to come into the office.
Haven Health offers patient-centered, evidence-based reproductive care both in person and online across North Carolina.