- The contraceptive patch is a small square patch, 5cm by 5cm, that you wear on your skin.
- It prevents pregnancy by releasing the hormones oestrogen and progestogen into the blood. This stops the ovaries releasing an egg each month.
- The contraceptive patch is not suitable for everyone.
- You wear a patch for 7 days and then replace it with a new one.
- The contraceptive patch is 99% effective if you use it correctly all the time. If not used correctly it’s less effective.
- When you stop using the contraceptive patch, your fertility usually returns to previous levels after around 1 to 3 months.
Information:
The contraceptive patch does not stop you getting or passing on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Use a condom every time you have sex to protect you and your partner against STIs, including HIV.