Hormone Patch | Hormonal contraceptives

Hormone Patch

Hormone patches work similarly to the contraceptive pill. They can be stuck to any part of the body except the breast and remain there for seven days. After the seven days, a new hormone patch is applied to the skin and remains there for seven days.

Then follows another, third patch for another seven days. This is followed by a seven-day break until a new three-patch pack can be started. The patch continuously releases hormones into the tissues, which enter the bloodstream and, like the contraceptive pill, also stimulate ovulation and the build-up of the lining of the uterus (endometrium).

According to the manufacturer, the patch adheres to the skin even in extreme situations, such as in the sauna, swimming pool or whirlpool. Should it fall off, a new hormone patch must be applied to the skin within the next 48 hours. The side effects correspond to those of the contraceptive pill.

For example, there is a change in the blood so that the patch is not suitable for women at risk of thrombosis. It can also lead to weight gain, depression, water retention (edema) and increased appetite. The patch may also irritate the skin to which it is applied.

It is therefore best to apply it to a different area each time. As the hormones are not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, their effect is not affected by diarrhoea or vomiting. With a Pearl Index of about 0.88, the hormone patch is very safe, just like the contraceptive pill.