Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksUses and AvailabilityApplying a Birth Control PatchSide Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
Uses and Availability
Applying a Birth Control Patch
Side Effects
The birth control patch is a topicalcombined hormonal contraceptive methodthat contains synthetic forms of the hormones progesterone andestrogen. Commonly referred to as “the patch,” the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially approved this prescription medication in 2001 under the brand name Ortho Evra.
This article will discuss the birth control patch, how it works, and other important information about using it safely and effectively.
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A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
How Does the Birth Control Patch Work?
Regardless of its brand or generic name, all birth control patches work the same way. They contain a combination of twohormones: a progestin (either levonorgestrel or norelgestromin, which are both synthetic forms of progesterone) and an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol).
After properly applying the patch to your skin, the body absorbs these hormones through the skin and into the bloodstream. These hormones work to reduce the chance of pregnancy in three ways:
Combinedoral contraceptive pillsalso contain aprogestinand an estrogen component and work the same way.The main difference is that with the pill, you have to take it every day, while with the patch, you have to change it once a week.
How Quickly Does It Work?
Each birth control patch lasts for one week. The patch slowly releases the hormone ingredients, which are absorbed through your skin over the span of a week.
After a week, you’ll remove the patch and apply a new one to your skin. After three weeks, you’ll take a week off and get yourperiod. You’ll repeat this process for as long as you prefer using the patch as your contraceptive method.
Keep in mind that birth control patches may not work immediately to prevent pregnancy. How long it takes to become fully effective depends on different factors, such as when you start using the patch, recent pregnancy, and whether you used another type of hormonal birth control, such as the pill, before starting the patch.
If you do not currently take hormonal birth control, there are two options for when to start using a birth control patch:
If you currently take hormonal birth control,starting a birth controlpatch is simple: apply the first patch when the next dose of birth control is due. The patch picks up where the other hormonal contraception left off, with no backup method necessary.
However, if more than one week has passed since your last dose of hormonal birth control, the patch takes about seven days to take effect, and backup methods are recommended.
After giving birth, you should wait at least four weeks or until you stop breastfeeding before starting a birth control patch. Then, you should use a backup method for the first week until the patch becomes fully effective.
This timeline differs if you’re starting the patch following amiscarriageor abortion. If you have a miscarriage or abortion during the first trimester, you can start using the birth control patch right afterward.
If you apply the patch within five days after the miscarriage or abortion, the patch will quickly reach its full effect, and no backup method is required. If more than five days pass, you should use a backup method until your next period.
However, if you have a miscarriage or abortion after the first trimester, you should wait four weeks before starting a birth control patch. It will then take seven days to reach maximum effect, so a backup method is recommended for the first week.
Other factors may affect how long it takes for the patch to work effectively. If you’re not sure, use a backup method or check with a healthcare provider.
How Effective Is It?
All methods of combined hormonal birth control, including the pill and the patch, are similarlyeffective at reducing the chance of pregnancy. In a trial of more than 3,000 people using the patch, only 15 pregnancies occurred during patch use, reflecting highly effective contraception.
With perfect use, theexpected failure rateof the birth control patch is less than 1%. However, mistakes happen. Patches may fall off, or people forget to change them on time. As such, “typical use” of a birth control patch results in an expected failure rate between 6% and 7%.
Birth Control Patch: Uses and Availability
All birth control patches, also known as transdermal contraception, require a prescription from a healthcare provider. “The patch” is not a single product but refers to different products, including:
WhileOrtho Evrahas been discontinued, generic versions are available. Other available brands include Xulane, Zafemy, and Twirla.Xulane, Zafemy, and their generic versions contain the same active ingredients: norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol. Twirla, which currently has no generic version, contains the active ingredients levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol.
The FDA approves birth control patches to reduce the chance of pregnancy in females who can become pregnant and have abody mass index (BMI)of less than 30.
However, some healthcare providers prescribe medications “off label” for other reasons. For instance, some providers may recommend birth control, including the patch, for managing irregular menstrual cycles or treating hormone-related conditions likepolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such as bodycomposition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age. Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.
Each birth control patch provides a week’s supply of hormones necessary for preventing ovulation and reducing the chance of pregnancy. You should only wear one patch at a time and remove it after seven days.
Applying a birth control patch is similar to applying an adhesive bandage. The patch works best when placed on the outer portion of the upper arm, the abdomen, or the buttocks. Before applying the patch, ensure the area is clean, dry, and free of lotions or other products. When changing patches, place the new patch on a different spot.
When applying the patch:
Side effects may occur while using a birth control patch. Regardless of the brand or generic version you use, common side effects may include:
In some cases, those using a birth control patch experience more serious side effects. While uncommon, the severe side effects may include:
Birth control patches may be safely used long-term, as long as you regularly see a healthcare provider for monitoring and they confirm the product is safe for you to continue using.
Safely Using a Birth Control Patch
Birth control patches may not be safe for everyone. Healthcare providers do not recommend hormonal birth control for females over the age of 35 who smoke due to an increased risk of blood clots.
Similarly, females with a BMI of 30 or greater should not use the birth control patch, as studies found patches less effective and safe in this population.
A birth control patch may not be safe or appropriate for people with the following factors or conditions:
Birth control patches mayinteract with other medications. Before starting any hormonal birth control patch, tell your healthcare provider all the medications and supplements you take to ensure the patch is safe for you.
Also, before starting any new medication or supplement, ask a healthcare provider whether it will affect the effectiveness or safety of the patch.
Some examples of medications that interact with birth control patches include:
Summary
Birth control patches contain two hormones: a progestin and an estrogen. After applying a patch, the body absorbs these hormones through the skin steadily over a week. These hormones work to halt ovulation, prevent sperm from reaching an egg, and limit the chances of fertilized egg implantation.
Birth control patches may not be a safe and effective contraceptive method for all females of reproductive potential.Talk to a healthcare providerto determine if the patch is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store birth control patches at room temperature. Typically, each patch comes in an individually-wrapped pouch. Keep the patch in the unopened pouch until ready to use.
Smoking while using any type of hormonal contraception increases the risk of blood clots. This risk is highest in women aged 35 years and older who smoke. For this reason, the FDA recommends against the use of hormonal birth control patches in women ages 35 years and older who smoke.
In this case, you likely need additional protection to prevent pregnancy. Put on a new patch as soon as you remember, then restart a new four-week cycle. Use a backup contraceptive method for at least seven days after placing the new patch.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Ortho Evra label.Centers for Disease Control.Contraception.Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.DailyMed.Xulane label.DailyMed.Zafemy label.DailyMed.Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol kit label.Food and Drug Administration.Twirla (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) package label.Britton LE, Alspaugh A, Greene MZ, et al.CE: An evidence-based update on contraception.Am J Nurs. 2020;120(2):22-33. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000654304.29632.a7 (doi link doesn’t go to full text, so keep PMC link)de Melo AS, Dos Reis RM, Ferriani RA, et al.Hormonal contraception in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: choices, challenges, and noncontraceptive benefits.Open Access J Contracept. 2017;8:13-23. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85543
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Ortho Evra label.Centers for Disease Control.Contraception.Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.DailyMed.Xulane label.DailyMed.Zafemy label.DailyMed.Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol kit label.Food and Drug Administration.Twirla (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) package label.Britton LE, Alspaugh A, Greene MZ, et al.CE: An evidence-based update on contraception.Am J Nurs. 2020;120(2):22-33. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000654304.29632.a7 (doi link doesn’t go to full text, so keep PMC link)de Melo AS, Dos Reis RM, Ferriani RA, et al.Hormonal contraception in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: choices, challenges, and noncontraceptive benefits.Open Access J Contracept. 2017;8:13-23. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85543
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Ortho Evra label.Centers for Disease Control.Contraception.Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.DailyMed.Xulane label.DailyMed.Zafemy label.DailyMed.Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol kit label.Food and Drug Administration.Twirla (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) package label.Britton LE, Alspaugh A, Greene MZ, et al.CE: An evidence-based update on contraception.Am J Nurs. 2020;120(2):22-33. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000654304.29632.a7 (doi link doesn’t go to full text, so keep PMC link)de Melo AS, Dos Reis RM, Ferriani RA, et al.Hormonal contraception in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: choices, challenges, and noncontraceptive benefits.Open Access J Contracept. 2017;8:13-23. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85543
Food and Drug Administration.Ortho Evra label.
Centers for Disease Control.Contraception.
Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.
DailyMed.Xulane label.
DailyMed.Zafemy label.
DailyMed.Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol kit label.
Food and Drug Administration.Twirla (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) package label.
Britton LE, Alspaugh A, Greene MZ, et al.CE: An evidence-based update on contraception.Am J Nurs. 2020;120(2):22-33. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000654304.29632.a7 (doi link doesn’t go to full text, so keep PMC link)
de Melo AS, Dos Reis RM, Ferriani RA, et al.Hormonal contraception in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: choices, challenges, and noncontraceptive benefits.Open Access J Contracept. 2017;8:13-23. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85543
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