What is the patch?
The patch is used to prevent pregnancy. It looks like a bandage. You put it on the skin of your belly, rear end (buttocks), upper arm, or upper body (but not on a breast).
The patch releases a regular dose of the hormones estrogen and progestin. These hormones prevent pregnancy in three ways. They thicken the mucus in the cervix. This makes it hard for sperm to travel into the uterus. They thin the lining of the uterus, which makes it harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. The hormones also can stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation).
The patch provides birth control for 1 month at a time. You change the patch once a week for 3 weeks and then go without a patch for 1 week. During this week, you have your period. Your period may be very light. You also may use the patch continuously, without stopping for a week each month. With this method, you won't have your period.
How well does it work?
In the first year of use:
- When the patch is used exactly as directed, fewer than 1 person out of 100 has an unplanned pregnancy.
- When the patch is not used exactly as directed, 9 people out of 100 have an unplanned pregnancy.
Be sure to tell your doctor about any health problems you have or medicines you take. Your doctor can help you choose the birth control method that is right for you.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
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