The combined contraceptive patch (“the patch”) needs to be made inclusive! It is currently only manufactured in one tone which makes it unusable for those with darker skin tones. It should be able to discreetly camouflage with a user’s skin but this is not the case for so many users. 

The patch has been manufactured for over 20 years and is one of the most popular methods of contraception globally. It is applied directly to the skin, usually, on the arm, thigh or lower stomach and releases progestogen and oestrogen to prevent pregnancy. It is meant to be discreetly worn however it has only ever been created in one tone for several decades. 

Health professionals have written to Gedeon Richter, the current pharmaceutical manufacture of the EVRA patch (the main patch used in the UK) and not received a favourable response. 

The colour of the contraceptive patch continues to be a problem for a number of users highlighted in this study Black voices in contraceptive choices carried out last year with University College London. One patch user commented that:

"The only issue I have with the patch is that it's nude and it's not really friends for the Black skin. If a white woman uses the patch, I mean you can see it but it's less noticeable. But if a Black woman uses the patch then it's like a nude sticker on your arm which it is pretty easy to guess what it is. Although a lot of us use contraception, it doesn't mean that we want someone to instantly see it on you and immediately identify that you're using a particular form of contraceptive. It just suggests to me, that you know, Black women and women of colour are not important, we're not important, it's not important for people to change anything..."

Health professionals across both the NHS and aforementioned Sexual and Reproductive Health organisations continue to how it limits reproductive choices:

“The continued lack of attention to diversity within medicine development sets a worrying precedent. This issue extends far beyond that of the contraceptive patch. It's time that we acknowledge that one shade does not fit all and we need to design medication with the needs of all people in mind. The failure to acknowledge that those of darker skin tones also make use of medical patches and plasters reflects how our needs are consistently marginalised and how racism manifests in the medical sciences.”

Dr Annabel Sowemimo co-director of Reproductive Justice Initiative and Author of Divided: Racism, Medicine and Why we need to decolonise healthcare   

“As a sexual health specialist nurse, my aim is to find a contraceptive method that suits the patient in my care. Not all methods may be safe or suitable so it is vital that I can give as many options as possible. On many occasions when discussing the patch with a patient with non-white skin colour, they have expressed upset or disappointment that the Evra patch is only available in a light pink colour, as they feel excluded from using this method. If we want to reduce health inequalities we need to be able to offer appropriate contraception to everyone who needs it.”

Jodie Crossman , Clinical Nurse Specialist

"Over the years I have often counselled on the contraceptive patch and have found this to be a very popular method of choice. Although, I do find that the colour has been a barrier for black and brown people, especially for young people where it is important for this to be discreet to their family!"

 Simphiwe Sesane CaSH Nurse Consultant 

Sign our petition and help us ensure that the manufactures of the contraceptive patch take steps to make the contraceptive patch more inclusive. It is time that anti-racism is centred in the pharmaceutical industry and we have a contraceptive patch that reflects the world in which we live. 

Thank you to Leah Soweid for our campaign image and Freya Mason a volunteer for the slogan.

#CLAPBACKONTHEPATCH

Black Voices in Contraceptive choices - The Patch

Website: www.decolonisingcontraception.co.uk 

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