Imagine if the hormones that are in the combined pill were inside a sticky plaster you placed on your skin. And these hormones were released into your body to prevent pregnancy.
That’s Evra Patch, and you can order it online. Tell us about your health to get expert advice on contraception, and customised options to suit your life.
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It’s a skin patch that you place on the skin on the buttocks, the abdomen, the outside of the upper arm or the upper back (anywhere that isn’t hairy, basically). It releases hormones into the body steadily over a week, which helps to protect you from pregnancy.
A lot of women find the patch easier to use than the pill, because you only have to remember to change it every week (and not take a pill every day). Like the combined pill, for the fourth week out of every four, you’ll have a week off where you’ll usually have a withdrawal bleed. So three weeks on, one week off.
How effective is the Evra Patch?
As long as the patch stays on and you remember to change it at the right time, it’s over 99% effective. This is called ‘perfect use’ of the patch, which means the chances of getting pregnant are very small.
If you don’t use the patch exactly as instructed, its effectiveness drops a bit. Around nine in 100 women will get pregnant in one year through ‘typical use’ (making the occasional mistake with it).
Evra Patch: how long before it’s effective?
If you start to use the patch on the first day of your period (and up to and including the fifth day of your period), you’ll get immediate protection from pregnancy.
If you start to use the patch at any other time, you’ll need to use additional contraception like a condom for the first seven days, or avoid sex.
If you have a short cycle, in which you get your period every 23 days or less, you’ll not have protection from pregnancy if you start using the patch on day five of your period or later. So it’s important that you use additional contraception in these circumstances too.
EvraEthinylestradiol/Norelgestromin
How to use the Evra Patch
If you’re starting the Evra Patch but aren’t already using hormonal contraception, you can start using it on any day of the month. You’ll be protected against pregnancy right away if you start using on the first day of your period. If you start it on another day, after one or more days has passed since you started your last period, you’ll need to use barrier contraception like condoms for around a week while the hormones in the patch take effect.
You can start using the Evra Patch on the day you would normally start your next pill packet, if you’re switching from the pill.
Stick the patch to a dry, unbroken area of skin with no hair. Evra Patch placement is recommended on the buttocks, abdomen, outer upper arm or on the upper back.
Replace once a week, at the same time, on the same day each week. On the fourth week out of every four, you’ll have a patch-free week.
Make sure you read the leaflet that comes with your treatment for more detailed info before you start using your Evra Patch.
Where do I put the Evra Patch?
Clean, dry skin on a buttock, the abdomen, upper outer arm or upper back. It’s better under clothes or in an area where clothes aren’t going to rub against it. You should never stick it on your breasts.
Once on, it’s very good at staying on. It’s designed to stay in place when showering, having a bath, swimming or exercising. But it’s a good idea to check after doing this type of thing to make sure it’s still there.
What if I forget to apply the Evra Patch?
Put one on as soon as you remember. If you forget at the start of your cycle (the beginning of week 1) you’ll need to use a backup barrier contraception for a week.
If you forget to apply a patch at the start of week 2 or 3, your cover won’t be reduced if you remember to apply it within 48 hours. Any longer than this, and you will need to use condoms for a few days.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
EvraEthinylestradiol/Norelgestromin
EvraEthinylestradiol/Norelgestromin
FAQ: Evra
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
What are the hormones in the Evra Patch?
Answer:
Norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol. These are really similar to progesterone and oestrogen and just like the hormones you get in the combined pill. They stop you from ovulating, make your uterine lining thinner, and make cervical fluid thicker so sperm can’t swim through.
These hormones enter the body through the skin when you use the patch. With the pill, they go into your bloodstream after you’ve swallowed it.
What if I leave the Evra contraceptive patch on for too long?
Answer:
Change it when you remember, and check the leaflet for more info. You might need to use extra barrier contraception for a few days, but this depends on how long it’s been since you’ve missed your change time, and when in your cycle it’s happened.
If you forget to change your patch during week 2 or 3 of your cycle, and it’s been less than 48 hours since, you shouldn’t need to use extra contraception. If it’s been longer, then you’ll likely need to use a barrier contraceptive like a condom for up to a week to stay protected.
Leaving the patch on for longer than normal into your fourth week (which would normally be a patch free week) won’t make any difference to your protection, as long as you stick the next one on at the right time.
Can I stop periods with the Evra Patch?
Answer:
Evra Patch, like other forms of hormonal contraception, will help to make periods lighter and more regular for most women. But there is an ‘off-label’ way of using the patch that means you probably won’t get periods at all. If you don’t want to have your monthly period, you can just skip the 7-day break and go straight on to the next patch. This is great for holidays and special occasions.
This involves using the patch continuously, and skipping the 7-day break altogether. It’s safe to use in this way but you’ll go through more patches. Before you use Evra Patch in this way, you should discuss it with our clinician. Because it’s an ‘off-label’ use (not licensed to use in this way by the manufacturer) they’ll need to check if this method is safe for you.
Will I get a period after stopping the Evra Patch?
Answer:
Yes, but it may take a couple of months before your cycle returns to normal. Because your body has been used to the hormones in Evra Patch, it will need time to adjust to not getting these.
So after you stop Evra Patch, your periods might be quite irregular for a few months. This is more likely to happen if your periods were already irregular before you took birth control.
Can I get pregnant on the Evra Patch?
Answer:
The effectiveness of the patch is the same as the pill with perfect use. So if you use it exactly right, without making any mistakes, it’s very unlikely (less than 1% chance) that you’ll get pregnant.
If you make an occasional mistake when using the patch, it’s slightly less effective. So it is possible to get pregnant if you forget to change it and don’t remember for several days, or if the patch comes off and you don’t notice.
The best way to make sure it is effective is to follow the instructions.
Does the Evra Patch cause weight gain?
Answer:
Some users of contraception treatments like Evra Patch have reported gaining (or losing) weight. There’s not a lot of evidence to suggest that hormonal birth control is responsible for weight gain.
It’s something that’s reported less commonly with Evra Patch than it is with most pills. But if you think you may be gaining weight since starting Evra Patch, let our clinician know. They may be able to help you find a different contraceptive.
Do people get acne on the Evra Patch?
Answer:
Some women who use contraceptive patches, just like pills, may develop acne, or find that their acne gets worse. If this becomes a problem for you, sign in to your Treated account and leave our prescriber a message. They can discuss alternatives with you.
Are there other versions of the Evra Patch?
Answer:
In the UK, the Evra Patch is the only birth control treatment of its kind. There are no other patches licensed for contraception at the moment. That means that there’s only one Evra Patch dosage too. So if you use Evra Patch but need that little extra bit of control over menstrual symptoms, you’ll need to switch to the pill.
In the US, the same patch is called ‘Ortho-Evra’. There’s also an alternative called Xulane, which has a slightly higher progestogen dose. But it isn’t available here.
What should I do if the Evra Patch is peeling off?
Answer:
The patch is very good at staying on even when you’re showering or exercising. But if you find that it is coming off, you should try to stick it back on. If the patch you’re wearing has lost its stickiness, you should use a fresh one.
Make sure you check the patch is still there each day. If the patch comes off, but you notice within 24 hours and apply a new one, your protection shouldn’t be lowered. But if the patch comes off and more than 24 hours has passed since, you’ll need to use extra barrier contraception for a few days after replacing it. Read the leaflet that comes with your patch for more info on what to do if this happens.
Why should I buy the Evra Patch with Treated?
Answer:
It’s hard to know where to start with birth control when you’ve got contraceptive pills, the patch and the ring to choose from.
At Treated, once you’ve told us about your health, we’ll advise you on the right options just for you. You can then choose which specific contraceptive you’d like, how often you’d like us to deliver it to you, and the amount of it you want to receive from our pharmacy each time.
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You may have questions about your birth control, or you might find that you’d like to switch to something else, or change your dose. You can message our clinicians at any time. They’ll also contact you regularly to see how you’re getting on with your treatment, and can make adjustments if you need them to.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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