How to Use a Contraceptive Patch

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methods

1Knowing How to Use the Patch

2Applying the Patch

3Removing and Changing the Patch

4Getting the Patch

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Expert Q&A

Tips and Warnings

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The patch is a contraceptive sticker that you put on your belly, upper arm, butt, or back. It works by sending hormones through your skin and into your bloodstream. Like other contraceptives, the patch can make your period lighter, shorter, and more regular. Plus it’s a great option if you don't want to have to remember to take a pill every day. The patch is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, but you still need to use a condom to prevent STIs if you’re sexually active.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Knowing How to Use the Patch

1. 
   1
   Use a condom if you started the patch right after your last period. If you start using the patch within the first 5 days of your period, the patch will protect you from getting pregnant right away. If you start using it right after you've had your period that month, it'll take 7 days to kick in, so use a condom.

   • If you’re switching from birth control pills to the patch, you won’t start ovulating again for 2 to 3 weeks once you stop taking the pill. However, some doctors say you're most fertile right after stopping the pill, so use a condom just to be safe.
2. 
   2
   Practice safe sex even with the patch on to prevent STIs and STDs. Use a condom every time you have sex because the patch can’t protect you from STIs and STDs. Be sure to talk to your partner as well about whether or not they have a STI or STD.

   • Fertility clinics often give out free condoms, but you can buy them from any drugstore or grocery store (they’re often located in the “family planning” section).
3. 
   3
   Use a condom if you plan to have sex 2 days after taking the patch off. When you wear the patch correctly for 7 days in a row, it can still protect you from getting pregnant for up to 48 hours (but it’s not a guarantee). After 48 hours without the patch, definitely use a condom if you plan to have sex and don’t want to get pregnant.

   • If you only wore the patch for 6 or less days in a row because it fell off, use a condom because the patch won’t offer any protection once you take it off.
4. 
   4
   Put on a new patch as soon as you remember you forgot to put one on. If you’re planning to have sex and forgot to put the patch on, apply a fresh one right away and use a condom. If the patch has fallen off in the middle of one of the weeks where you’re scheduled to wear it, put on a new one right away and call your doctor if you need more patches.

   • It’s especially important to use a condom if you forgot to put on a new patch after the week of your period.
   • When it comes to forgetting to put on a new patch, you can also call your doctor or refer to the instructions that came with the prescription.
5. 
   5
   Remove the patch at least 48 hours before you plan to get pregnant. If you decide you want to start trying to have a baby, take the patch off at least 2 days before you have unprotected sex. While you can get pregnant within 48 hours of taking it off, it’s far less likely.

   • Your body doesn’t need much time to clear the protective hormones out of your system, but you’re much more likely to get pregnant after having it off for 2 days.
6. 
   6
   Tell your doctor about any side effects you may experience. If you've never used the patch before, let your doctor know if you're feeling any side effects. It's common for first-time users to experience headaches, mild nausea, sore breasts, or light spotting between periods.

   • Not everyone experiences the common side effects and they'll typically go away within a couple of months.
   • Remove the patch and call your doctor right away if you experience severe migraines, nausea, muscle spasms, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or swelling.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Applying the Patch

1. 
   1
   Choose a clean, dry area on your body to put the patch. Decide whether you want the patch to go on the outside of your upper arm, butt cheek, back, or belly. Make sure wherever you choose to put it is not very hairy and won't get rubbed too much by your clothes.

   • Don't put the patch on your breasts or anywhere where you have a rash or irritated skin.
   • To prevent the adhesive from irritating your skin over time, plan to change the location every time you put on a new patch.
   • Depending on what you’re wearing, it may be visible if you put it on the outside of your upper arm. Put it on your butt cheek or back if you don’t want it to show.
2. 
   2
   Clean and dry the skin where you plan to put the patch. Use soap and water to wash your skin where you want to place the patch. Dry your skin completely with a towel so there's no moisture getting between your skin and the sticky adhesive.

   • Don't use any lotion, oil, powder, or other skincare products on your skin—wait until after the patch is on to moisturize (and skip the area where the patch is).
   • It's okay to put the patch over skin that's slightly hairy—natural peach fuzz is fine. If there’s thick, coarse hair in the area, shave it before you wash your skin and apply the patch.
3. 
   3
   Remove the patch from the packaging. Use your fingers to carefully tear open the individual package. Slide the patch out and check to make sure it's in good shape.

   • If the patch is torn, punctured, or if the two clear layers are missing on the adhesive side, throw it out and open another package.
4. 
   4
   Peel away 1 side of the clear protective plastic from the back of the patch. Use your finger to peel away one of the plastic layers on the adhesive side of the patch. Throw away the plastic layer.

   • Once you open the patch you need to use it immediately so the sticky material doesn't get dirty.
5. 
   5
   Place the exposed sticky side on your skin and peel away the other plastic layer. Hold the patch over where you want to put it and stick it on. At this point, only half the sticky part should be exposed so the patch is half stuck to your skin. Then, use your fingers to peel off the remaining adhesive protector on the other side of the patch.

   • Be careful not to touch the sticky part with your fingers.
6. 
   6
   Press the patch onto your skin for 10 seconds. Once the patch is on, use your palm or fingers to press down so it's securely on your skin. Hold it there for 10 seconds.

   • If you see any air pockets or folds, iron those out with your fingers as best you can.
7. 
   7
   Check your patch every day to make sure it's stuck on well. Look at the patch and make sure the edges aren't folding up or air pockets haven't formed. It's meant to stay on for 1 week so you shouldn't have an issue with it coming unstuck.

   • If it does come slightly unstuck at the corners, mash it down with your fingers to keep it on.
   • You can bathe, swim, and play sports while you’re wearing the patch—the adhesive is super durable.
   • If your patch happens to fall off at any time, you can reapply it to your skin if the adhesive is still sticky or replace it with a new patch.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Removing and Changing the Patch

1. 
   1
   Peel off the patch after 7 days. Peel off the old patch and fold it in half so it sticks together. Seal it in a plastic baggie and toss it in the trash. Then, wash your skin so you can apply a new one.

   • Don't flush the old patch because any hormones left in the patch can get carried into the sewer system (and, in turn, the soil and water).
2. 
   2
   Change your patch once a week for 3 weeks in a row. Designate 1 day a week as your patch exchange day to help you remember to change it. Keep applying and removing new patches each week for 3 weeks (most boxes come with 3 patches so you can keep track).

   • Keep your patches in a drawer or cupboard away from sunlight or sources of heat.
3. 
   3
   Leave the patch off your skin for 7 days. After 3 weeks of wearing the patch, don’t apply a new one as you’ve been doing. Make sure you have tampons, pads, or absorbent period underwear because this week (week 4) is when you'll be getting your period.

   • You have the option to skip your period and wear the patch on week 4 as well. If you plan to do this, talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for more than 3 patches at a time.
4. 
   4
   Reapply a new patch after a week without the patch. Choose a different spot to prevent your skin from getting irritated. Wash and dry your skin and stick it on just like you did the first 3 weeks of the routine.

   • It's unlikely that the patch will irritate your skin, but it's recommended to change the location every time just in case.
   • The patch only works when it's on, so if you plan to have sex during the patch-free week, be sure to use a condom to prevent getting pregnant and protect yourself from STIs.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Getting the Patch

1. 
   1
   Go to your gynecologist or doctor to see if the patch is right for you. Consider your options when it comes to birth control, because the patch is just one type—there’s also the pill, IUD, hormonal ring, and implant. Talk to your doctor about your medical history and allow them to test your blood pressure during your appointment. The patch may not be right for you if you:

   • Weigh over 198 pounds (90 kg)
   • Smoke cigarettes
   • Have high blood pressure
   • Are over the age of 35
   • Have a history of blood clots, stroke, or heart disease
   • Have severe liver disease
   • Have given birth within the last 3 weeks.
2. 
   2
   Visit a sexual health clinic to get a prescription. Find a sexual health clinic by doing a quick online search (e.g., "sexual health clinic Cleveland OH"). Book an appointment or show up during walk-in hours to meet with the gynecologists on staff and discuss your medical history.

   • You don't need to get a full pelvic exam to be prescribed birth control. However, if you're due for your yearly exam, go ahead and get one while you're there.
   • Unless the sexual health clinic advertises that it's free, you may need to pay a copay for the appointment.
3. 
   3
   Order the patch through an online provider if possible. Do an online search for birth control delivery in your state. You might type in "birth control patch delivery Seattle WA" or "order birth control online Seattle WA." You'll need to submit your request to one of the online providers and take a medical questionnaire that a doctor will review before giving you the okay.

   • If you have insurance, you might be able to get it for free depending on where you live. Otherwise, you might pay $15 to $35 a month for the prescription.
   • Lemonaid Health, HeyDoctor, Twentyeight Health, Nurx, and Pandia Health are all online medical providers with licensed doctors who can supply you with the patch.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  Is the birth control patch dangerous?

  

  Jennifer Butt, MD
  Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist

  Jennifer Butt, MD, is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist operating her private practice, Upper East Side OB/GYN, in New York City, New York. She is affiliated with Lenox Hill Hospital. She earned a BA in Biological Studies from Rutgers University and an MD from Rutgers – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She then completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Dr. Butt is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a member of the American Medical Association.

  

  Jennifer Butt, MD

  Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist

  Expert Answer

  It's no more dangerous than using birth control. Some doctors don't prefer to prescribe the patch because there's theoretically an increased risk of developing blood clots in your leg or lung. However, you have those same risks when you take birth control pills, but you don't have to remember to take the patch every day.

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Tips

• The patch only comes in beige, so if you have lighter or darker skin, put it on your butt or back so it's less noticeable in your day-to-day life.
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Warnings

• The patch won’t protect you from STIs and STDs so it's important to use a condom every time you have sex.
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