Skin irritation can be an issue in some women because of the glue that is used as an adhesive to hold it in place and the changing of patches. It does not occur in all women. When choosing this form of contraceptive it is recommended that the patch be worn in different alternating areas to avoid the irritation of being worn in the same area consistently. Always be sure to adhere the patch on a clean dry area to reduce the risk of skin irritation. It is best to rotate these four areas for the best results:

- abdomen

- upper arm

- buttock

- upper torso

Placing the patch in the same area twice in a row can cause skin irritations. The best way to avoid irritations is to clean the area with a warm wash cloth and soap after a patch has been removed, drying the newly washed skin with a soft towel gently and placing the new patch on a different area of the body listed above.