NDSU Student Health Service
Choices Program

Your Reproductive Health - Birth Control Patch

 

The Birth Control Patch

The patch is a very thin, soft, sticky square that contains hormones that are transferred through the skin into your body to your bloodstream (this is called transdermal administration) to prevent pregnancy.

The patch is easy to use, reversible and as effective as the pill. The patch requires no interruption before sex. As with any medicine, there are risks and side effects and you need to see a physician before starting to use the patch.

The patch does not protect against HIV infection or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• Reliability of the Patch
• Benefits of Using the Patch
• Possible Side Effects with the Patch
• Who Should Not Use the Patch
• Instructions for Use of the Patch

Reliability

Used correctly, the patch is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Benefits of using the patch

• Less menstrual cramping and bleeding
• More regular periods
• Less anemia
• Less pain at ovulation
• Less acne
  
  Decreased Risk of:
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Ovarian cancer
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Endometrial cancer
• Benign breast tumors or ovarian cysts
  

Possible side effects with the patch

• Spotting between periods
• More vaginal infections
• Darkening of skin color
• Weight gain or loss
• Changes in bone mineral density
• Elevated blood pressure
• Allergic reactions
• Depression
• Worse acne
• Nausea and vomiting
• Breast symptoms

• Abdominal pain (severe)
• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Headaches (severe)
• Eye problems - blurred vision, flashing lights, or blindness
• Severe leg pain (calf or thigh)
  
  
  Who should NOT use the patch

The contraceptive patch should not be used if you have any of the following conditions:

• If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
• A history of heart attack or stroke
• Blood clots in the legs (thrombophlebitis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), or eyes
• A history of blood clots in the deep veins of your legs
• Chest pain (angina pectoris)
• Known or suspected breast cancer or cancer of the lining of the uterus, cervix, or vagina
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding (until your health care professional reaches a diagnosis)
• Hepatitis or yellowing of the whites of your eyes or of the skin (jaundice) during pregnancy, or during previous use of hormonal contraceptives such as the pill or a progestin-only contraceptive implant
• Liver tumor (benign or cancerous)
• Severe high blood pressure
• Diabetes with complications of the kidneys, eyes, nerves, or blood vessels
• Disease of the heart valves with complications
• Headaches with neurological symptoms
• Current use of oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
• Need for a prolonged period of bed rest following major surgery
• An allergic reaction to any of the components of the patch
• Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects. This risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 cigarettes per day) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age. Women who use hormonal contraceptives are stongly advised not to smoke. (If you smoke and wish to quit, NDSU has a Tobacco Cessation Program that can help.)

Instructions for using the patch

1. You may choose a first day start or a Sunday start.

• For first day start: apply your first patch on the first day of your menstrual period OR
• For Sunday start: apply your first patch on the first Sunday after your menstrual period starts. You must use back-up contraception, such as a condom, spermicide, or diaphragm for the first week of your first cycle.
• The day you apply your first patch will be Day 1. Your "Patch Change Day" will be on this day every week.

2. Choose a place on your body to put the patch. Put the patch on your buttock, abdomen (below the waist), upper outer arm, or upper torso, in a place where it won't be rubbed by tight clothing. Never put the patch on your breasts. To avoid irritation, apply each new patch to a different place on your skin.

3. Apply patch according to insert instructions. When applying the patch, move your finger over the surface of the patch, pressing firmly for 15-20 seconds to make sure the patch stays in place. Check your patch every day to make sure all the edges are sticking. Occasionally a woman may have a sensitivity to the patch. If you have an allergy to adhesive bandages, you may not be a good candidate for the patch.

4. Wear the patch for seven days (one week). On your "Patch Change Day" (day 8), remove the used patch. Apply a new patch immediately.

5. Apply a new patch for week two on day 8, and for week three on day 15, on your "Patch Change Day".

6. Do not wear a patch on week four (day 22 through day 28) unless directed to do so by your health care provider. Your period should start during this week.

7. Begin your next four week cycle by applying a new patch on your normal "Patch Change Day," the day after day 28 - no matter when your period begins and ends.

8. The patch is not recommended for women who weigh more than 198 lbs. because it may not provide an adequate amount of birth control.

8. If your patch has become loose or fallen off:

• For less than one day: Try to re-apply it or apply a new patch immediately. No back-up contraception is needed. Your "Patch Change Day" will remain the same.
• For more than one day, or if you are not sure for how long: You may become pregnant. Start a new four-week cycle immediately by putting on a new patch. You now have a new Day 1 and a new "Patch Change Day." You must use back-up contraception for the first week of your new cycle.
• Do not try to re-apply a patch if it is no longer sticky, if it has become stuck to itself or to another surface, if it has other material stuck to it, or if it has previously become loose or fallen off. No tapes or wraps should be used to keep the patch in place. If you cannot re-apply a patch, apply a new patch immediately.

9. If you forget to change your patch:

• At the start of any patch cycle ( Week one, Day 1): If you forget to apply your patch, you could become pregnant. You must use back-up contraception for one week. Apply the first patch of your new cycle as soon as you remember. You now have a new Day 1 and a new "Patch Change Day."
• In the middle of your patch cycle (Week 2 or Week 3): If you forget to change your patch for one or two days, apply a new patch as soon as you remember. Apply your next patch on your normal "Patch Change Day." No back-up contraception is needed. If you forget to change your patch for more than two days, you could become pregnant. Start a new four-week cycle as soon as you remember by putting on a new patch. You now have a different "Patch Change Day" and a new Day 1. You must use back-up contraception for the first week of your new cycle.
• At the end of your patch cycle (Week 4): If you forget to remove your patch, take it off as soon as you remember. Start your next cycle on your normal "Patch Change Day" - the day after Day 28. No back-up contraception is needed.
• At the start of your next patch cycle, (Day 1 and Week 1): If you forget to apply your patch, you could become pregnant. Apply the first patch of your new cycle as soon as you remember. You now have a new "Patch Change Day" and a new Day 1. You must use back-up contraception for the first week of your new cycle.

10. You should never have the patch off for more than seven (7) days.

11. Always apply your patch to clean, dry skin. Avoid skin that is red, irritated, or cut. Do not use creams, oils, powders, or makeup on your skin where you will put a patch or near a patch that you are wearing. It may cause the patch to become loose.

12. If using the patch results in an uncomfortable irritation, the patch may be removed and a new patch may be applied to a new location to be worn until the next "Patch Change Day." Only one patch should be worn at a time.

13. Vomiting or diarrhea should not affect the amount of drug you get from the patch.

14. If you take certain medicines, the patch may not work as well. Check with your health care professional before taking other medicines.

15. If you miss two periods in a row, contact your health care professional because you might be pregnant.