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Birth Control Patch

Picture of birth control patch locations

You can place the hormone patch on your lower abdomen, 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 continuously until you replace it the following week. During the fourth week, you wear no patch. This is when you have a menstrual period.

Should the patch partially or completely come off before it is due to be changed, apply a replacement patch right away.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised May 4, 2012

Last Revised: May 4, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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