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Birth control patch

Person wearing birth control patch on lower belly.

You can place the hormone patch on your belly, buttocks, or upper body but not on your breasts. Apply a new patch once a week on the same day of the week for 3 weeks. The patch delivers the hormones daily over 7 days. Wear each patch all the time until you replace it the following week. During the fourth week, you wear no patch. This is when you have a menstrual period.

You can also wear the patch all the time without stopping for a week each month. With this method, you won't have your period.

If the patch partly or completely comes off before it is due to be changed, apply a replacement patch right away.

Current as of: November 27, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
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