Schedule
New patch every 7 days then (optional) 7 days off.
Effectiveness
91% with typical use
Locations
Online. Anywhere in the UK.
Fees
£50/3 Months. Learn more.
Contraceptive pills, patches and the morning after pill are offered after a telephone call with a Specialist Nurse.
Journey Overview
Receive your contraceptive patch with a simple online process. Start with a questionnaire, followed by a telephone call with a specialist nurse if needed. Your medication will then be posted to you. This service is available online across the UK for £50 for a 3-month supply.
#1 Online Questionnaire
We will request you to fill out an online questionnaire to ensure that contraceptive patch is safe for you.
#2 Telephone Call (if needed)
In the event that our clinicians have any questions, they will give you a telephone call to Clarify.
#3 Post Medications
Once your request has been reviewed and the medications dispensed, we will post it out to you via Royal Mail Tracked 24.
Patient Feedback
Eligibility
Best For
Most women; makes bleeds regular, lighter.
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding
Avoid until 4 weeks postpartum, weaned.
Menstruation
Makes bleeds regular, lighter, and less painful.
Do NOT use if
History of blood clots, migraines with aura.
Avoid/Discuss if
BMI over 35, smoke, certain medications.
Fees
Contraceptive Patch - £50/3 Month Supply
Payment Options
- Self Pay - By Cash/Card), but not American Express
- Health insurance
- Klarna – a payment plan to split the cost over 4 payments.
FAQs
The patch is applied to clean, dry, and hairless skin on the buttock, abdomen, upper outer arm, or upper torso. You should avoid placing it on your breasts, thighs, or on skin that is red, irritated, or cut.
The patch releases estrogen and progesterone hormones through the skin, which:
- Inhibits ovulation.
- Thickens the cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to enter the uterus.
- Thins the uterine lining to help prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg.
Each patch needs to be changed every 7 days, ideally in a new location to avoid skin irritation. After three consecutive patches, you can either apply a new one or take a 7-day break for a "withdrawal bleed."
Using the contraceptive patch has several benefits:
- It does not interrupt sex.
- It usually makes your bleeds regular, lighter, and less painful.
- It reduces the risk of cancer to the ovaries, womb, and colon.
- It can reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and sometimes reduce acne.
- It may protect against pelvic inflammatory disease.
- It may reduce the risk of fibroids, ovarian cysts, and non-cancerous breast disease.
- Since it's used weekly, you don't have to remember to do something every day.
Some temporary side effects can include headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, and mood swings, but these usually subside within a few months. The hormones may also cause some women to experience an increase in appetite or fluid retention, though there is no evidence that the patch causes weight gain. You may also experience a slight increase in your blood pressure, which will be monitored during your appointments.
In rare cases, the contraceptive patch may lead to a small increased risk of blood clots in the legs or lungs (Venous Thromboembolism or VTE), especially when you first start using it. The use of the patch is also associated with a small increased risk of breast cancer, which subsides over time.
The patch can become less effective if it's detached for more than 24 hours or if you're on certain medications.
- If the patch is partly detached: If it's for less than 24 hours, re-apply it or replace it with a new patch. No additional contraception is needed. If it's detached for more than 24 hours, you may be at risk of pregnancy and will need to apply a new patch and use a non-hormonal contraceptive for the next 7 days.
- If the patch is no longer sticky: Apply a new patch.
- If you are on certain medications: Some medications for Epilepsy, TB, HIV, and over-the-counter drugs like St. John's Wort can make the patch less effective. This will be discussed during your appointment.
The patch is safe for most women. However, it may not be suitable for women with a history of blood clots, certain types of migraines (specifically, migraines with aura), uncontrolled high blood pressure, a BMI of 35 or over, or a history of breast cancer, among other conditions. It is also not recommended for women over 35 who smoke or have multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease. All of this will be discussed at your appointment.
The safest way to stop using the patch is to switch to a new method while simultaneously using the patch for 7 days. If you are planning to conceive, you can complete the 3 patches of the month, have your 'withdrawal bleed,' and then not restart the patch.
If you don't apply a new patch after a patch-free week, you may release an egg and become pregnant right away. For some women, it may take a few months for their periods to become regular and for their hormone balance to return to normal.
We recommend waiting 4 weeks after delivery before using the patch. The patch can slightly increase the risk of VTE, which is already higher after having a child. Additionally, if you are breastfeeding, the hormones can be passed from mother to child and may affect milk production and supply. The manufacturer recommends delaying the use of the patch until your baby is fully weaned.
If the pregnancy was under 20 weeks, you can start using the patch immediately. If the pregnancy was over 20 weeks, we recommend waiting until day 21 of your cycle or until your period starts.
Next Steps
Page last reviewed by Julie Milsom (Specialist Nurse in Sexual Health) on 27 April 2021 for general guidance only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your clinician.