How does the patch work if it just sits on your skin?

Sep 15, 2015 Updated: Aug 28, 2025

The hormones in the patch are similar to those in the pill or ring and work in similar ways to prevent pregnancy, they just get into your body in different ways. The hormones are in the sticky part of the patch, and they get absorbed through the skin and travel through your body to prevent ovulation (a.k.a., releasing an egg from your ovary).

Want to learn more?

Select one of the related topics to find more.

birth control birth control patch

Related methods

Dive in and learn all the details about these related birth control methods.

birth control
Birth control patch
Very effective if you use it correctly. Easy to use and works like the pill, but you only have to worry about it once a week.