1. Wot Wud U Do
  2. Contraceptive Patch

Contraceptive Patch

A small sticky patch that releases hormones into your body through your skin to prevent pregnancy

How effective are they?

Perfect use: More than 99% effective. Fewer than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year when using the contraceptive patch correctly.

Typical use: Around 91% effective. Around 9 in 100 women who use the patch will get pregnant in a year.

What are the advantages?

  • Can help with heavy or painful periods making them lighter and less painful,
  • The patch may protect against ovarian, womb and bowel cancer,
  • Waterproof and it shouldn’t come off after a shower or bath,
  • Not effected by vomiting or diarrhoea,
  • Each patch lasts for a week.

What are the risks?

  • Doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections,
  • Rarely, some women develop a blood clot when using the patch.

You should talk to your doctor or health professional about risk factors such as smoking, your age or medical history before you get the contraceptive injection

What makes them less effective?

  • The patch can raise your blood pressure, and some women get temporary side effects, such as headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and mood swings,
  • Some medicines may make the patch less effective,
  • May cause skin irritation, itching and soreness,
  • May get rubbed off by tight clothing,
  • Can take 7 days to work,
  • Its visible.
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