The skin patch and vaginal ring are as effective as oral contraception.

Combination oral contraceptives have long served as an effective form of birth control, but if they're not taken daily, their efficacy can decrease. The contraceptive skin patch and the vaginal ring were developed to offer women an alternative form of birth control that does not require daily administration. A review was conducted to compare effectiveness, cycle control, compliance, and safety of the skin patch or the vaginal ring with combination oral contraceptives. Three skin-patch and eight vaginal-ring randomized, controlled trials that lasted at least three menstrual cycles or 84 days were identified. The three methods of contraception were similarly effective, but women using the skin patch showed better compliance, greater discontinuation of use, and more physical adverse effects, including breast discomfort, dysmenorrhea, nausea, and vomiting, than those using oral contraceptives. Women using the vaginal ring had less nausea, irritability, and depression than oral contraceptive users, but greater incidences of vaginitis and leukorrhea.

The crux of the matter. Compared with combination oral contraceptives, the contraceptive skin patch and the vaginal ring were similarly effective, and the former produced more adverse effects while the latter produced fewer.