If you’re starting 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 it 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.

If you’re switching from the pill, you can start using Evra Patch on the day you would normally start your next pill packet.

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 the patch 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 patch for more detailed info before you start using it. 

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 for more info on what to do if this happens.

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.

This involves using the patch continuously, and skipping the week break every four weeks. Before you use Evra Patch in this way, it’s best to ask your prescriber. Because it’s an ‘off-label’ use (not licensed to use in this way by the manufacturer) they’ll need to check this method is safe for you.

You’ll receive a paper copy of the patient information leaflet in the box containing your patches. But you can also find one at the bottom of this page, in the safety information section.

The leaflet you get with your medication will always be the most up-to-date, so we recommend reading that version before use.

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.

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 contraceptive for a week.

If you forget to apply one 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.

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.

Because it’s a combined method of birth control, Evra Patch isn’t suitable for women who are breastfeeding. Women who want to use contraception while nursing may be able to use the progestogen-only pill (mini pill).

If you are breastfeeding, let your prescriber know during your consultation so they can recommend the right contraceptive method for you.

Some women who use Evra Patch may get side effects. It’s quite common for these to appear at the start, and go away on their own after a few weeks once your body has got used to the hormones in the patch.

More common side effects of Evra Patch include headache, nausea and tender breasts.

Read more about the side effects of combined birth control.

If you get mild side effects that continue for several months, or any side effects at all that cause discomfort or concern you, let a healthcare professional know. You can sign in to your EveAdam account to chat to a prescriber about side effects, and they’ll recommend other contraceptive methods you can switch to if needed.

Any serious side effects need to be seen right away. So go to hospital if you notice any signs of a blood clot, heart problems, an allergic reaction, or prolonged or heavy vaginal bleeding. For more info, read the leaflet that comes with your treatment.

You may get some side effects, like irregular periods, if you stop taking hormonal birth control altogether. But these tend to be more common during the first few weeks of coming off contraception, as your body adjusts to the change in hormones.

If you’re switching to a different type of birth control, it’s possible you’ll experience some side effects while your body is getting used to the new treatment (particularly if it contains different hormones, or if it isn't the same dosage as the treatment you used before).

Yes, but it may take a couple of months before your cycle returns to normal. Because your body has become accustomed to the hormones in Evra Patch, it will take some time to adjust to no longer 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.

Some women have reported gaining (or losing) weight whilst using contraceptive treatments like Evra Patch. There’s not a lot of evidence to suggest that hormonal birth control is responsible for weight gain. There are so many factors that can contribute to a fluctuation in weight.

Weight gain is 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, speak to your prescriber. They may be able to help you find a different contraceptive.

Some women who use contraceptive patches may develop acne, or find that their acne gets worse. If this becomes a problem for you, sign in to your EveAdam account and leave the prescriber a message, and they’ll discuss alternatives with you.

In the UK, Evra Patch is the only skin patch available for contraception. At time of writing, there are no other contraceptive patches on the market.

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 that isn’t available here.

If you’re using Evra Patch but don’t think it’s right for you (for example, because you’re getting side effects or can’t get used to using it) talk to your doctor or prescriber. You can easily do this with an EveAdam subscription by signing in to your account and sending a chat message.

While there aren’t any other patches besides Evra, you might be better using the combined pill or NuvaRing instead. So there are other options available. Our prescriber can go through these with you.