CONTRACEPTIVE

PATCH

PROS

• Easy to useexpand_less

  It’s easy to put on and remove and only needs to be changed once a week.

• Effectiveexpand_more

  Is 91% effective at preventing pregnancy with typical use.

• Periodsexpand_more

  Periods may become lighter.

• Reversibleexpand_more

  Upon discontinuation of use, fertility should return to normal.

• Doesn’t interrupt sexexpand_more

  Using your contraceptive patch correctly means you don't need to worry about contraception in the moment.

• Administrationexpand_more

  Self-administered.

CONS

• User dependentexpand_less

  It needs to be changed weekly and keeping track of the number of weeks used.

• Periodsexpand_more

  It may cause disrupted periods. For example, you may experience bleeding between your periods (breakthrough bleeding) and spotting (very light irregular bleeding).

• Short-actingexpand_more

  You need to apply it weekly.

• Contains hormonesexpand_more

  Some women prefer hormone free options.

• Breastfeedingexpand_more

  Cannot be used when breastfeeding.

• STIsexpand_more

  Does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• Weight gainexpand_more

  It may cause weight gain.

• Breast tendernessexpand_more

  It may cause breast tenderness.

• Moodexpand_more

  Some women experience mood changes, including mood swings, depression, or depressed mood.

• WILL THE PATCH AFFECT MY PERIODS?expand_less

  The patch may cause disrupted periods, either in the form of irregular bleeding (spotting or breakthrough bleeding), or regular, lighter periods. During the first few cycles of using the patch, bleeding between periods (breakthrough bleeding) and spotting (very light, irregular bleeding) is common.

• WILL I PUT ON WEIGHT IF I USE THE PATCH?expand_more

  The contraceptive patch may cause some women to gain weight.

• CAN THE PATCH CAUSE MOOD SWINGS?expand_more

  Like other forms of hormonal birth control, the contraceptive patch may cause you to experience mood swings.

• DOES THE PATCH AFFECT ACNE?expand_more

  Acne can be a side effect of using the contraceptive patch. However, some women may find that their acne improves whilst using combined hormonal contraceptives like the patch.

• OTHER COMMON SIDE EFFECTSexpand_more
  • Skin irritation
  • Breast tenderness or pain
  • Menstrual pain
  • Headaches/migraine
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhoea
  • Muscle spasms
  • Vaginal infections and discharge
  • Fatigue
  • Fluid retention
• RISKSexpand_more
  • Blood clots - A small number of people using the patch may develop a blood clot in a vein or an artery. Don't use the patch if you've had a blood clot before.
  • Breast cancer - Research suggests that people who use the contraceptive patch have a small increased risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer compared with those who don't. But this reduces with time after stopping the patch.
  • Cervical cancer - Research also suggests there's a small increase in the risk of developing cervical cancer with long-term use of combined hormonal contraception such as the combined pill, patch and ring.
  • Liver cancer - Rare cases liver tumours which are not cancer have been found in women taking combined hormonal contraceptives. Even more rarely, liver tumours, which are cancer have been found.