The contraceptive patch works in a similar way to a nicotine patch but instead delivers oestrogen and progestogen into a woman’s body through her skin. You will wear a new patch each week for a total of three weeks and then have a patch-free week.
Like most contraceptives, the patch is 99% effective but it has to be used correctly to minimise the chance of pregnancy. Choose a spot on your body where the patch won’t be disturbed – the upper arm is often favoured – and stick it on to clean dry skin. You can carry on with your normal activities, such as swimming, without dislodging the patch while bathing shouldn’t be a problem either.
The release of the two hormones over the 21 days you will wear the patch will stop you ovulating, thicken the mucus of the cervix so sperm struggle to get through and cause the womb lining to thin so even if an egg does become fertilised, it cannot implant itself.
When you use the patch, you won’t have any periods but each month will have a lighter and shorter “withdrawal bleed” and this makes the patch particularly suitable for women who suffer from heavy or painful periods.
One side effect of using the patch is that it can raise your blood pressure and it also may cause headaches. There is also a slight risk of developing a blood clot. However, using the patch can also protect women against certain forms of cancer, such as ovarian and colon.