I’m on the patch. Am I protected during the fourth week, even though I take it off?

By Kendall @ Planned Parenthood | Sept. 26, 2011, 10:44 a.m.

Category: Ask the Experts, Birth Control

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I’m on the Orth Evra Patch. Am i protected during the 4th week (Period week), since i take it off ?

Yes. If you’re on combined hormone — estrogen and progestin — birth control, regardless of whether you use the pill, patch, or ring, you’re protected all the time — even during your “off week.” That’s because the hormones that prevent pregnancy stay in your body even when you remove the patch or ring for a week, or switch to the inactive pills in your pill pack.

(Women who take progestin-only pills need to take the hormone-containing pills every day.)

Tags: birth control, the patch