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During Tuesday evening’s episode of winter Love Island, new arrival Rebecca Gormley officially made her entrance in the South African villa.
At the beginning of the episode, as the 21-year-old part-time model settled in for her date with 25-year-old coffee bean salesman Connor Durman, several eagle-eyed viewers spotted that she was wearing a patch on her upper right thigh.
While some expressed their confusion over what the patch could be, hypothesising that it could be a nicotine patch, others stated that it is a contraceptive patch.
Several Twitter users who expressed their belief that the patch is a form of contraception praised Rebecca for publicly wearing it on national television.
“So happy to see Rebecca on Love Island wearing a contraceptive patch, so many people don’t know they are a thing and it makes me feel a lot less self conscious about mine now,” one person tweeted.
“Did Rebecca have the contraceptive patch on? Good on her making responsible decisions. Take notes guys,” another remarked.
So how does a contraceptive patch work and how long can it be used for?
The contraceptive patch, the NHS explains, is a small, adhesive patch that is worn on the skin as a means of birth control.
“The patch releases a daily dose of hormones through the skin into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy,” the NHS states.
“It contains the same hormones as the combined pill – oestrogen and progestogen – and works in the same way by preventing the release of an egg each month (ovulation).”
The NHS adds that the patch also thickens the cervical mucus, which makes it harder for the sperm to make its way through the cervix, in addition to thinning the womb lining, which reduces the chances of a fertilised egg implanting itself.
In the UK, the brand name for the contraceptive patch is Evra.
On the Lloyds Pharmacy website, it recommends wearing the patch for seven consecutive days after applying it to an area of clean, dry, hairless skin.
It is advised to change the patch after seven days, wearing a patch continually for a total of 30 days.
“After three weeks of continuous patch use, take a seven-day break from the patch,” Lloyds Pharmacy states.
Created with Sketch.
Created with Sketch.
1/15 When wedding dresses were destroyed, episode 12
While we're not exactly fans of the sexist 'Bridezilla' concept - seeing the female islanders squirt scarlet ketchup at one another in optic white wedding dresses was a sight we won't be forgetting anytime soon. And who knows, given the influence of Love Island, ketchup splattered dresses could be the next big thing in bridal trends.
Rex Features
2/15 When white skinny jeans made a double appearance, episode 5
White skinny jeans are a staple look among the men in the Love Island villa, the reason for which remains a mystery. We're not sure who said sausage-tight white jeans were a good look, but the message has clearly spread, as not one but two islanders, Joe and Anton, were spotted donning the look in this episode with pride.
Rex Features
3/15 When Belle wore belts as a top, episode 24
Traditionally, belts are worn to hold up trousers. But Belle offered an innovative new take on the accessory when she wore not one, but two belts around her midriff - and they weren't holding up anything at all. Instead, their purpose was purely aesthetic. It's a creative twist on the traditional crop top, one that might raise eyebrows on the tube, but turns heads in the Love Island villa.
Rex Features
4/15 When Elma and Maura meant business, episode 9
The look in their eyes says it all, really. Elma and Maura arrived in the villa and clearly meant business. While Elma chose a scarlet cowl neck cocktail dress, Irish Samantha Jones-type Maura chose a white halterneck frock. The whole thing was very devil vs angel.
Rex Features
5/15 When Curtis tried to do an Ovie, episode 31
Ovie Soko became renowned for his Hawaiian shirts in the villa, prompting some islanders to try and emulate his signature look. Curtis Pritchard was one of them. The professional dancer's efforts were commendable, but few can compete with Soko's suave. Perhaps that's why he looks so downtrodden here.
ITV
6/15 When drama unfolded in neon, episode 22
The neon party was off to a roaring start, until a shock dumping saw two islanders booted out of the villa. Amber, Lucie and Molly-Mae were understandably shocked by the news. Or perhaps they came across a mirror and were blinded by the iridescence of their outfits.
Rex Features
7/15 When Michael donned specs and stripes, episode 25
Michael might've made more enemies than friends during his time in the Love Island villa thanks to his treatment of Amber, but the firefighter did do one thing right when he paired a retro striped shirt with round spectacles. It's the kind of look that wouldn't have looked out of place on the stylish shores of the French Riviera in 1957. At least he did something right.
ITV
8/15 When Curtis wore sparkly pink hotpants, episode 33
No, we're not sure what Curtis was thinking either when he decided to emerge inside the villa wearing a feathered headdress and pink sparkly hotpants. Perhaps he had taken style notes from King Julien in Madagascar. Or, maybe he was offering viewers a taste of how he chooses to dress outside of the Love Island villa. He donned the flamboyant ensemble to perform his dance as part of the heart rate challenge, and it's one we'll be trying to erase from our memories for the foreseeable future.
ITV
9/15 When Ovie turned the nation's head, episode 33
This is another look from the heart rate challenge that the nation won't be forgetting in the near future, though perhaps the reasons are different. Ovie's camouflage look prompted thousands of viewers to gush over the professional basketball player on Twitter. Naturally, he wore one of his signature hats for the performance.
ITV
10/15 When Curtis wore a kimono, episode 44
Another memorable Curtis moment was when he wore a floral kimono during a romantic exchange with partner Maura Higgins. We think it suits him, actually.
ITV
11/15 When Penny-Sue Tinkerbell wore sunglasses, episode 45
The Love Island baby challenge brought out the best in Harley and Chris, whose child, named Penny-Sue Tinkerbell, made her on-camera debut in these stylish red shades.
ITV
12/15 When Ovie matched his bucket hat to his baby, episode 45
Of course Ovie's baby was always going to be the trendiest infant in the villa. The child arrived in its toy cot wearing a bucket hat not dissimilar from the ones Ovie has frequently worn throughout the series. Like father, like son.
ITV
13/15 When Ovie wore a Hawaiian shirt and hat combo for the 20th time, episode 46
Ovie's Hawaiian shirts could quite easily have their own spin-off show. Here, he pairs a black and white variation with a classic sun hat. Even without a ray of sunshine in sight (Ovie wore the look for an evening date) he still manages to look as polished and on trend as ever.
ITV
14/15 When Chris wore a towel on his head... and two pairs of glasses, episode 47
It's not every day that you see a man embrace the art of grooming quite as enthusiastically as Chris. The heavily-tattooed islander was frequently seen in the villa sporting a towel on his head to protect his quiff. But he outdid himself here, by completing his beauty queen look by wearing not one, but two pairs of glasses. A true style icon.
ITV
15/15 When Molly-Mae had her Beauty and the Beast moment, episode 54
When Molly-Mae sashayed down the steps in a sunshine yellow gown for her final date with Tommy Fury, she looked every part the Disney princess. It was an apt choice for the romantic evening ahead.
ITV
1/15 When wedding dresses were destroyed, episode 12
While we're not exactly fans of the sexist 'Bridezilla' concept - seeing the female islanders squirt scarlet ketchup at one another in optic white wedding dresses was a sight we won't be forgetting anytime soon. And who knows, given the influence of Love Island, ketchup splattered dresses could be the next big thing in bridal trends.
Rex Features
2/15 When white skinny jeans made a double appearance, episode 5
White skinny jeans are a staple look among the men in the Love Island villa, the reason for which remains a mystery. We're not sure who said sausage-tight white jeans were a good look, but the message has clearly spread, as not one but two islanders, Joe and Anton, were spotted donning the look in this episode with pride.
Rex Features
3/15 When Belle wore belts as a top, episode 24
Traditionally, belts are worn to hold up trousers. But Belle offered an innovative new take on the accessory when she wore not one, but two belts around her midriff - and they weren't holding up anything at all. Instead, their purpose was purely aesthetic. It's a creative twist on the traditional crop top, one that might raise eyebrows on the tube, but turns heads in the Love Island villa.
Rex Features
4/15 When Elma and Maura meant business, episode 9
The look in their eyes says it all, really. Elma and Maura arrived in the villa and clearly meant business. While Elma chose a scarlet cowl neck cocktail dress, Irish Samantha Jones-type Maura chose a white halterneck frock. The whole thing was very devil vs angel.
Rex Features
5/15 When Curtis tried to do an Ovie, episode 31
Ovie Soko became renowned for his Hawaiian shirts in the villa, prompting some islanders to try and emulate his signature look. Curtis Pritchard was one of them. The professional dancer's efforts were commendable, but few can compete with Soko's suave. Perhaps that's why he looks so downtrodden here.
ITV
6/15 When drama unfolded in neon, episode 22
The neon party was off to a roaring start, until a shock dumping saw two islanders booted out of the villa. Amber, Lucie and Molly-Mae were understandably shocked by the news. Or perhaps they came across a mirror and were blinded by the iridescence of their outfits.
Rex Features
7/15 When Michael donned specs and stripes, episode 25
Michael might've made more enemies than friends during his time in the Love Island villa thanks to his treatment of Amber, but the firefighter did do one thing right when he paired a retro striped shirt with round spectacles. It's the kind of look that wouldn't have looked out of place on the stylish shores of the French Riviera in 1957. At least he did something right.
ITV
8/15 When Curtis wore sparkly pink hotpants, episode 33
No, we're not sure what Curtis was thinking either when he decided to emerge inside the villa wearing a feathered headdress and pink sparkly hotpants. Perhaps he had taken style notes from King Julien in Madagascar. Or, maybe he was offering viewers a taste of how he chooses to dress outside of the Love Island villa. He donned the flamboyant ensemble to perform his dance as part of the heart rate challenge, and it's one we'll be trying to erase from our memories for the foreseeable future.
ITV
9/15 When Ovie turned the nation's head, episode 33
This is another look from the heart rate challenge that the nation won't be forgetting in the near future, though perhaps the reasons are different. Ovie's camouflage look prompted thousands of viewers to gush over the professional basketball player on Twitter. Naturally, he wore one of his signature hats for the performance.
ITV
10/15 When Curtis wore a kimono, episode 44
Another memorable Curtis moment was when he wore a floral kimono during a romantic exchange with partner Maura Higgins. We think it suits him, actually.
ITV
11/15 When Penny-Sue Tinkerbell wore sunglasses, episode 45
The Love Island baby challenge brought out the best in Harley and Chris, whose child, named Penny-Sue Tinkerbell, made her on-camera debut in these stylish red shades.
ITV
12/15 When Ovie matched his bucket hat to his baby, episode 45
Of course Ovie's baby was always going to be the trendiest infant in the villa. The child arrived in its toy cot wearing a bucket hat not dissimilar from the ones Ovie has frequently worn throughout the series. Like father, like son.
ITV
13/15 When Ovie wore a Hawaiian shirt and hat combo for the 20th time, episode 46
Ovie's Hawaiian shirts could quite easily have their own spin-off show. Here, he pairs a black and white variation with a classic sun hat. Even without a ray of sunshine in sight (Ovie wore the look for an evening date) he still manages to look as polished and on trend as ever.
ITV
14/15 When Chris wore a towel on his head... and two pairs of glasses, episode 47
It's not every day that you see a man embrace the art of grooming quite as enthusiastically as Chris. The heavily-tattooed islander was frequently seen in the villa sporting a towel on his head to protect his quiff. But he outdid himself here, by completing his beauty queen look by wearing not one, but two pairs of glasses. A true style icon.
ITV
15/15 When Molly-Mae had her Beauty and the Beast moment, episode 54
When Molly-Mae sashayed down the steps in a sunshine yellow gown for her final date with Tommy Fury, she looked every part the Disney princess. It was an apt choice for the romantic evening ahead.
ITV
Possible side effects from the contraceptive patch use include headaches, nausea and breast tenderness, the pharmacy outlines.
The NHS further details that the form of birth control may not be suitable for women who are breastfeeding a baby who is less than six weeks old, for smokers who are aged 35 or older and for individuals who think they may be pregnant.
The contraceptive patch can be sourced for free from contraception clinics, sexual health clinics, some GP surgeries and some youth services.
For more information about the contraceptive patch, visit the NHS website here.