Content Map Terms

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: August 2, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine