Patch

Stick it, forget it, and switch it once a week for steady protection

Stick a small patch on your skin and it steadily releases hormones. Swap it weekly, skip the fourth week, and you're good. 7 out of 100 can get pregnant using this method

What people like

🩹 Once-a-week schedule
🌸 Can make periods lighter and more predictable
💪 As long as you aren't more than 48 hours late in applying it, the patch is still effective.
💡 May help with acne

What people don't like

⚡ Can irritate skin or cause breast tenderness, headache, mood changes, or nausea.
🚫 Not for those who
💧 Can loosen in heat or humidity, so regularly check it's in place.
🩹 Patch may not match all skin tones
🚫 Potential blood clot risk for some

What to expect

📅 First Weeks

Finding your ideal patch spot may take a try or two — outer upper arms, back, stomach, or buttocks are common. Mild skin redness is normal at first. Avoid using anything under the patch like lotion, oil or makeup as it can keep the patch from sticking.

🩸 Periods

Expect lighter, more predictable bleeding after the first few months.

💧 Routine

Replace your patch once a week, on the same day. If a patch falls off for more than 24 hours or is delayed in putting it on, it can make this method less effective.

❌ Stopping

You can stop whenever you want—fertility usually returns quickly once you do.

Understanding Options

All patches use the same hormones (estrogen and progestin) and are changed weekly
There are three patch options available in the US
They differ in the amount of hormones that they have
Even with the differences, they all work the same at preventing pregnancy.
People who have an increased risk for blood clots, such as if you have had a blood clot before or have certain medical conditions, may want to avoid the patch due to the potential increased risk for blood clots.

Your questions, Answered

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