What If the Contraceptive Patch Falls Off?

The patch offers excellent protection against becoming pregnant, but its effectiveness can be compromised if it falls off or is not used properly.

In many cases, if your patch falls off, you can stick the same one on within 24 hours. However, if it's been more than 48 hours since you've worn a patch, put a new patch on right away and use backup birth control (i.e., condoms) for one week.

This article explains what to do if you make a mistake with your patch. It covers the steps to take if your patch falls off or you forget to change it. It also gives advice about when to use backup birth control.

Woman applying contraceptive patch to her arm
B. Boissonnet / Getty Images

How to Use the Patch

To start using the patch, remove the plastic cover from the patch, taking care not to touch the sticky side. Adhere the patch to your back, buttocks, belly, or the outer part of your upper arm. It's best to use a different site on your skin every time you put on a new patch.

Patches must be changed every seven days. The first day that you put on a new patch is your "patch change day." So, for example, if you put on your first patch on a Sunday, then Sundays will always be the day you remove your old patch and replace it with a new one.

Change your patch every week for three weeks straight. On week 4, remove your patch but go patch-free for the week. After seven patch-free days, you will put a new patch on again. This will be the start of a new, four-week cycle. You will use three patches per month.

If the Patch Falls Off

If the patch should become partially detached or fall off, what you should do depends on how long ago it came off:

  • Less than 24 hours: If the patch that fell off is still sticky, try to re-adhere it to your skin in the same spot. If it is not sticky, replace it with a new patch. Change the patch the same day you had planned to before it fell off. You do not need to use emergency contraception.
  • Between 24 to 48 hours: Put a new patch on as soon as possible in the same spot on your skin. Change the patch the same day you had planned to before it fell off. If you had intercourse during this time, use an emergency contraceptive.
  • More than 48 hours: Put a new patch on immediately in the same spot on your skin. Use backup birth control for one week. If you had intercourse during these 48 hours, use an emergency contraceptive.

If your patch falls off and you are not sure how long it has been, put a new patch on right away. This will be your new patch change day. Use backup birth control for one week. If you do not want to get pregnant, use an emergency contraceptive any time you are late changing your patch.

When Should I Use Emergency Contraception?

There are a few scenarios in which you should use emergency contraception:

  • If you have intercourse during your patch-free week
  • If your patch falls off in week one and you have intercourse during week 1
  • If you have intercourse during weeks 2 or 3 and your patch was not on properly for the previous seven days
  • If your patch has been off for more than 24 hours, or you're not sure how long it has been off, and you have intercourse during this time

Is It Common for the Patch to Fall Off?

The patch should adhere to your skin while bathing, swimming, and playing sports. Clinical trials show that:

  • 1.8% of transdermal patches became completely detached
  • 2.9% became partially detached

One study included challenges such as using a sauna, whirlpool bath, treadmill use, and cool water immersion. A warm, humid climate also did not increase the risk of detachment.

The patch appears to stick regardless of heat, humidity, exercise, whirlpools, swimming, and bathing/showering. So while, it is important to know what to do if your patch falls off, chances are high that it won’t.

If You Forget to Change the Patch

To get peak effectiveness, you need to replace the patch (on the same day) once a week for three weeks. Then, you go one week without it.

If you want to change the day you apply the patch, you can choose a new day to put it on during the patch-free week (week 4). You do not need to wait until your patch-free week is over; it is safe to wear a patch during the week that you would normally take it off. However, you will probably have a missed period.

If you forget to apply your patch on time, use the following guidelines, which are dependent on the week of your cycle you're in.

Week 1: First Patch

If you forget to apply the patch on your scheduled start day, stick on a new patch as soon as you remember (this day will become your new day each week to change the patch).

To avoid pregnancy, make sure you use back-up birth control (condoms, spermicide, the sponge) for seven days.

Week 2-3: Second or Third Patch

Each patch is only meant to be worn for seven days. However, they hold enough hormones to last for nine days, just in case. That means you have a two-day late-window to change the patch at the beginning of week 2 or 3.

If you have left on the patch for up to two additional days:

  • Apply your new patch as soon as you remember
  • You don't need to switch your "patch change day"
  • You don’t need additional contraception

If it has been more than two days when you realize you forgot to change the patch, you're at a greater risk of birth control failure.

  • Apply your new patch as soon as you remember
  • If you've had sex in the last few days, it is wise to use emergency contraception
  • Use backup birth control for seven days (beginning with the day you change the patch)
  • Switch your patch change day to the day you remember to change your patch

Forgetting to Take Off Your Third Patch

If you forget to take off the patch at the beginning of week 4 (your patch-free week), this is okay.

  • Remove it whenever you remember
  • Begin your new cycle (week 1) on your regular patch change day

How Long Does It Take to Get Your Period After Removing the Patch?

Most people using the patch get their period during their patch-free week (week 4). If you make a mistake and change your patch late, you may miss your period that month. This is normal. However, if you had unprotected sex when you weren't wearing a patch then miss your period, call your healthcare provider. You may need to take a pregnancy test.

Summary

If your patch falls off and less than 48 hours have passed, stick a new patch on; your patch change date will stay the same. If more than 48 hours have passed or you're not sure how long it's been since your patch fell off, put a new patch on right away; this will be your new patch change day. Any time you are late changing your patch and want to prevent pregnancy, use backup birth control. The birth control patch is highly effective when used properly.

5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Nationwide Children's. Birth control: contraceptive patch.

  2. Planned Parenthood. How to use the birth control patch?.

  3. UpToDate. Transdermal contraceptive patch.

  4. Planned Parenthood. What happens if you wear a patch on your off week?.

  5. Alberta Health. Birth control patch.

By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC
Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience.