Updated December 29, 2014.

The birth control patch is 4 x 4 cm, thin and totally discrete. In fact, the Ortho Evra Patch is beige and smooth – sticking easily to a woman’s skin.

The simple and convenient birth control patch is applied to the skin of the stomach, buttocks, upper outer arm, shoulder, or upper torso once a week for 3 weeks in a row. During this time, it slowly releases steady flow of synthetic estrogen and progestin (Ethinyl Estradiol and Norelgestromin) through the skin and into the bloodstream.

It is completely reversible, and the birth control patch simply sticks to the skin and stays on during activities such as bathing, showering, swimming, and exercising.

Given that hormones from patches applied to the skin get into the bloodstream and are removed from the body differently than those from pills taken by mouth, the FDA has updated the label on the Ortho Evra Patch due to these health warnings. For more information: Ortho Evra Patch Warning.