Johnson and Johnson Inc. recently developed a new method of birth control in the form of a patch, and Planned Parenthood officials say it could be available to Iowa State students within a couple of years.

The adhesive contraceptive contains the same ingredients as “the pill” and works just as well, but Johnson and Johnson officials do not know how much the treatment will cost.

The patch, called Evra, is the size of a half-dollar and can be worn on the arm, abdomen or buttocks.

Penny Dickey, vice president of Health Services at Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa, said the patch is effective for one week.

Tracy Hughes, pharmacist at the Student Health Center, said the patch is not available to ISU students because it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration yet.

Johnson and Johnson plans to seek approval next year, but the entire approval process can take up to one year.

“Certainly, the minute the FDA gives the approval, Planned Parenthood will be examining ways to make it available to Planned Parenthood patients. I foresee the patch marketed within a year to a year and a half,” said Lisa Marie Wright, communications director for Planned Parenthood of Minnesota.

The Planned Parenthood of Minnesota clinic took part in the testing of the patch as a trial site, Wright said.

The testing involved 25 women and was one of several Planned Parenthood trial sites in the United States, she said.

“[The women] were very satisfied and look forward to having the patch on the market,” she said.

The patch has an advantage over the pill by providing a steady hormonal level, Dickey said.

“[The patch] helps keep levels stable in order to avoid peaks and valleys. This is true for patches used for things such as menopause and blood pressure, as well,” she said.

The patch is more convenient than a pill as it is less likely to be forgotten, Dickey said.

“The biggest advantage is that it has to be remembered once a week instead of every day,” she said.

Forgetting to take the pill has proven to be a problem, especially for young women.

Studies have shown up to 20 percent of teens using birth control pills forget to take them at least twice a month, Dr. Elof Johansson, vice president of the Population Council, said in an Associated Press article.

Another advantage of the patch is its ability to diminish side effects some women experience with pills or injections, Wright said.

“Nausea and vomiting is less of a problem with the patch,” Dickey said.

Amid the numerous advantages, there is a drawback, Wright said.

“The patch must adhere to the skin; this could be a problem for women who sweat a lot or take frequent showers,” she said.

However, this aspect is a factor patients must consider when looking at what contraceptive best fits their lifestyle, Wright said.

“It is important for women to have choices available to them. At Planned Parenthood, we are in favor of any options that can help women control their own fertility,” Dickey said.

Johnson and Johnson is working on its patch with Cynus, a company based in Redwood, Calif. that specializes in developing drugs delivered through the skin.

—The Associated Press contributed to this article.