How fast does the patch work

This means you won't have a full week of patch-free days. You'll be protected against pregnancy and won't need to use any additional contraception. You may or may not bleed on the patch-free days. Put on a new patch as soon as you remember. This is the beginning of your new patch cycle. You'll now have a new day of the week as your start day and change day. If you're more than 24 hours late sticking on the patch the interval has been 8 days or more , you may not be protected against pregnancy and will need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days.

See a GP or nurse for advice if you've had unprotected sex in the patch-free interval, as you may need emergency contraception. Some women don't always have a bleed in their patch-free week.

This is nothing to worry about if you've used the patch properly and have not taken any medicine that could affect it. See a GP or nurse for advice if you're worried, or do a pregnancy test to check if you're pregnant.

The contraceptive patch isn't suitable for everyone, so if you're thinking of using it, a GP or nurse will need to ask about you and your family's medical history.

Tell them about any illnesses or operations you've had, or medicines you're taking. There is a very small risk of some serious side effects when you use a hormonal contraceptive, such as the contraceptive patch.

For most women, the benefits of the patch outweigh the possible risks, but you should discuss all risks and benefits with a GP or nurse before starting the patch.

A very small number of people using the patch may develop a blood clot in a vein or an artery. Don't use the patch if you've had a blood clot before. Research suggests that people who use the contraceptive patch have a small increased risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer compared with those who don't. But this reduces with time after stopping the patch.

Research also suggests there's a small increase in the risk of developing cervical cancer with long-term use of oestrogen and progestogen hormonal contraception. When you first get the contraceptive patch you will be given a 3-month supply, to see how you get on with it.

If there are no problems, you can be prescribed the patch for a year at a time. Find your nearest sexual health clinic. Also, if you stop using the patch for any reason, you will need to begin using another birth control method, usually after 24 hours of removing your last patch.

It's OK to participate in regular activities like swimming and exercise while wearing the patch. It can also get wet in the shower or in the bath.

Do not remove the patch until the week is over pulling the patch off to reposition or move it may cause it to lose some of its stickiness and it might fall off easily. If the patch does not stick well, apply a replacement patch.

Don't try to decorate the patch, change the size of a patch by trimming it, or try to attach it with tape. Talk to your doctor if the patch falls off. The patch should not be applied over makeup, creams, lotions, powder, or other skin products as these may prevent it from sticking well. Skin products may also affect how hormones are absorbed by the skin. When you remove the patch, fold it in half with the sticky sides facing each other to prevent the chemicals from getting into other items in the trash and going to the soil and throw it away don't flush it down the toilet.

Ongoing studies suggest the birth control patch is as effective as the birth control pill. That means that about 9 out of couples will have an unintended pregnancy during the first year of use. Of course, the chance of getting pregnant depends on whether you use the patch correctly.

Delaying or missing a weekly application or removing a patch too early lowers its effectiveness and increases the chance a girl will become pregnant. For girls who weigh more than pounds 90 kilograms , the contraceptive patch may be less effective in preventing pregnancy.

In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on a lot of things. This may mean there's a slightly higher risk of estrogen-related adverse events, such as blood clots, in patch users than in people who take combination birth control pills.

You'll need to request a prescription for the birth control patch from your health care provider. Your health care provider will review your medical history and check your blood pressure.

Talk to your health care provider about any medications you're taking, including nonprescription and herbal products. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Sections for Birth control patch About. Overview Birth control patch Open pop-up dialog box Close. Birth control patch The birth control patch is a contraceptive device that contains the hormones estrogen and progestin.

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What are the risks? Comparing benefits. Talk to your doctor. Read this next. How to Apply a Transdermal Patch.