Providing the Combined Patch

Explaining How to Use

Explain how to remove the patch from the pouch and remove backing	Explain that she should tear the foil pouch along the edge. She should then pull out the patch and peel away the backing without touching the sticky surface.
Show her where and how to apply the patch	Explain that she can apply it on the upper outer arm, back, stomach, abdomen, or buttocks, wherever it is clean and dry, but not on the breasts. She must press the sticky, medicated part against her skin for 10 seconds. She should run her finger along the edge to make sure it sticks. The patch will stay on even during work, exercise, swimming, and bathing.
She must change the patch every week for 3 weeks in a row	She should apply each new patch on the same day of each week—the "patch-change day." For example, if she puts on her first patch on a Sunday, all of her patches should be applied on a Sunday. Explain that to avoid irritation, she should not apply the new patch to the same place on the skin where the previous patch was.
She should not wear a patch on the fourth week	She will probably have monthly bleeding this week.
After the patch-free week, she should apply a new patch	She should never go without wearing a patch for more than 7 days. Doing so risks pregnancy.