Patent ID: 8883196

Claim:
A method of controlling fertility in a female, comprising applying to the skin of the female a transdermal hormone delivery device comprising a backing layer and an adhesive polymer matrix affixed to the backing layer, the adhesive polymer matrix comprising: (a) an adhesive polymer; (b) a humectant; (c) a combination of skin permeation enhancing agents consisting essentially of, on a final percentage by weight of the adhesive polymer matrix after fabrication of the system, from about 4% to about 12% dimethyl sulfoxide; from about 4.2% to about 12.6% a fatty (C 8 -C 20 ) alcohol ester of lactic acid; from about 0.7% to about 2.3% lower (C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl ester of lactic acid; and from about 3% to about 9% capric acid; (d) a progestin; and (e) an estrogen; wherein the device is applied to the skin in a regimen comprising application of one device once each week for three consecutive weeks, followed by one week in which the device is not applied, or a placebo device is applied, thereby controlling fertility in the female.