Lead image for The tiny, weekly patch that prevents pregnancy.
When it comes to family planning, most women can easily name the usual options: pills, injections, implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs). But there is one method that rarely makes the conversation despite being highly effective, discreet and easy to use.
The contraceptive patch remains one of the least talked-about forms of birth control, leaving many women unaware that it even exists. So, what exactly is it, how does it work, and why has it remained in the shadows while other contraceptives dominate the spotlight?
Dr Felix Oindi, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Aga Khan University Hospital, describes the contraceptive patch as a small, thin adhesive patch that sticks to the skin and releases two hormones, similar to those in a combined contraceptive pill (oestrogen and progestin), into the bloodstream through the skin.
"These hormones work continuously over a week to prevent pregnancy. The patch works by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation). It thickens cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg, and thins the lining of the uterus, making implantation less likely if fertilisation were to occur," he explains.
He notes that when used correctly, by changing it on schedule every week, it is more than 99 per cent effective. However, with typical use, which accounts for missed or delayed patch changes, it is about 93 per cent effective, similar to the combined oral contraceptive pill.
Read: Could this be the magic birth control method for women?
In his experience, Dr Oindi says the patch is not among the most commonly chosen contraceptive methods in Kenya. “The estimate may be about one per cent among those seeking contraception who choose the patch. This is partly due to lack of awareness and the scarcity of the patch," he says. "Long-acting reversible contraceptives such as implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs) are generally more popular because they require less user effort and provide protection for several years."
Still, he says fertility usually returns quickly after stopping the patch. Most women begin ovulating within a few weeks, and many can become pregnant during the first few months if they are not using another contraceptive method.