Love Island’s Rebecca Gormley Shamed Because She’s (Probably) Wearing A Contraceptive Patch

The newest member of the villa was spotted wearing what seems to be a contraceptive patch with pride.

Contraceptive Patch

by Rebecca Reid |
Updated on

She’s only been in the villa for about 90 seconds, but last night Love Island’s Rebecca Gormley had the internet ablaze. Not because she broke up a couple or had a huge fight with another Islander, but instead because she’s wearing a small sticker on her thigh.

Viewers were initially confused by the presence of what looks a bit like a plaster, with some suggesting that it was a nicotine patch. But the most likely explanation is that it’s a contraceptive patch.

For the uninitiated, a contraceptive patch is a kind of sticker which administers a constant low-level dose of hormonal contraceptive. It’s supposed to be gentler than taking the pill, which is administered in one oral dose. It can be preferable to the implant or injection because if it doesn’t agree with you (and we all know that getting hormonal contraceptive right can be something of a marathon) you can remove it immediately. Plus it isn’t affected if you’re sick or have diarrhea, which the oral pill is.

Predictably, lots of people on the internet had opinions about Rebecca wearing the patch. Some stated that she was clearly in the villa for sex, because she was using contraception. Others called it ‘classless’ or suggested that she should move the patch to a part of her body where it was hidden. If you’re rolling your eyes, you’re not alone.

To start with, women don’t just use hormonal contraception so that they can have sex. It’s used to treat various different medical issues including endometriosis, irregular periods, acne or period pains. So to suggest that Rebecca is ‘up for it’ because she’s wearing the contraceptive patch is just painfully ill informed. She might well be using it for totally non-sexual reasons.

But even if she is wearing the patch because she anticipates having sex, where on earth does all the judgement come from? It can’t come as a surprise that some of the people who go on a show called Love Island are planning to find love (or at least lust) with a fellow contestant, and might end up acting on it?

Much of the objection to the patch seems to be aimed at the fact she isn’t hiding it, rather than the fact that she is using it. But why should she? 25% of 16-49 year olds are currently on the pill. It could hardly be a more normal thing to do.

That said, I've certainly been given the evil eye by strangers when I've popped the contraceptive pill on the bus or tube to work. Apparently nice girls should take their hormonal contraception in the privacy of their own homes, suitably ashamed of their transgression.

Some internet critics claim that Gormley should have switched the patch for the pill so that no one notices anything, which is slut shaming, but also fundamentally misunderstands the rocky road of hormonal contraceptives. Why would she risk having a multi-week long period by messing with her meds, rather than wearing her sticker with pride?

The criticism of Rebecca speaks of a pervasive sentiment that it’s only okay to have sex if you do it discreetly. Which is entirely illogical. There’s nothing wrong with having sex, whether you’re incredibly private about it, or engage in foreplay on national television.

WATCH NOW: Love Island's Amy Hart shares dating dealbreakers

If we’re going to make any comment about her patch at all, it should be to commend her for opting for safe sex, an important and relevant message in a show aimed at young people.

If you’re interested in moving to a contraceptive patch, visit your local family planning clinic or speak to your GP. The patch doesn't protect against STIs so if you do have one, you should still use condoms until you and your partner have been tested.

Let's check out the rest of the contestants...

Gallery

Winter Love Island cast 2020 - social media RADIO STACKED

WINTER LOVE ISLAND1 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Leanne Amaning

Age: 22Hometown: LondonOccupation: Customer Service AdvisorInstagram: leanneamaningTwitter: leanneamaning

WINTER LOVE ISLAND2 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Siânnise Fudge

Age: 25Hometown: BristolOccupation: Beauty Consultant Instagram: siannisefudgeTwitter: Not Known

WINTER LOVE ISLAND3 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Eve and Jess Gale

Age: 20Hometown: LondonOccupation: Students and VIP Hostesses Instagram: evegale jessicarosegaleTwitter: eve_gale_ jessicarosegale

WINTER LOVE ISLAND4 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Shaughna Phillips

Age: 25Hometown: LondonOccupation: Democratic Services Officer Instagram: shaughnaphillipsTwitter: @Shaughna_P

Sophie Piper5 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Sophie Piper

Age: 21Hometown: EssexOccupation: Medical PAInstagram: sophpiper_Twitter: Not Known

Paige Turley6 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Paige Turley

Age: 22Hometown: West LothianOccupation: SingerInstagram: turley_paigeTwitter: Not Known

Mike Boateng7 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Mike Boateng

Age: 24Hometown: LondonOccupation: Police OfficerInstagram: michaelboateng01Twitter: Not Known

Connor Durman8 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Connor Durman

Age: 25Hometown: BrightonOccupation: Coffee Bean SalesmanInstagram: connordurmanTwitter: ConnorDurman

Callum Jones9 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Callum Jones

Age: 23Hometown: ManchesterOccupation: ScaffolderInstagram: _callum_jonesTwitter: Not Known

Nas Majeed10 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Nas Majeed

Age: 23Hometown: LondonOccupation: Sports Science Graduate and BuilderInstagram: Not KnownTwitter: Not Known

Ollie Williams11 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Ollie Williams

Age: 23Hometown: CornwallOccupation: Heir to the Lanhydrock Estate/Land OwnerInstagram: olliesjwilliamsTwitter: olliesjwilliams

Connagh Howard12 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Connagh Howard

Age: 27Hometown: CardiffOccupation: ModelInstagram: connagh92Twitter: N/A

Finlay Tapp13 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Finlay Tapp

Age: 20Hometown: Milton KeynesOccupation: Part-Time Footballer and Recruitment Consultant Instagram: finn_tappTwitter: N/A

Rebecca Gormley14 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Rebecca Gormley

Age: 21Hometown: Newcastle Occupation: Part-time Model and CarerInstagram: rebeccagormleyxTwitter: N/A

Luke Mabbott15 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Luke Mabbott

Age: 24Hometown: Redcar Occupation: Heating EngineerInstagram: lukemabbottTwitter: N/A

Luke Trotman16 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Luke Trotman

Age: 22Hometown: LutonOccupation: Semi-pro Footballer and StudentInstagram: luketroytrotmanTwitter: N/A

Wallace Wilson17 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Wallace Wilson

Age: 24Hometown: InvernessOccupation: Personal TrainerInstagram: wallacewilson1Twitter: N/A

Demi Jones18 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Demi Jones

Age: 21Hometown: Portsmouth Occupation: Style AdvisorInstagram: demijones1Twitter: N/ATwitter: N/A

Alexi Eraclides19 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Alexi Eraclides

Age: 23From: EssexOccupation: Butler in the BuffInstagram: alexieraclides

Biggs Chris20 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Biggs Chris

Age: 27From: GlasgowOccupation: Car Body Repair Specialist Instagram: biggschrisx

Ched Uzor21 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Ched Uzor

Age: 23From: Suffolk Occupation: ScaffolderInstagram: ched.uzor

George Day22 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

George Day

Age: 27From: Southampton Occupation: Estate AgentInstagram: N/A

Eva Zapico23 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Eva Zapico

Age: 21From: BromleyOccupation: Recruitment ConsultantInstagram: evazapico

Jade Affleck24 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Jade Affleck

Age: 25From: YarmOccupation: Sales Professional Instagram: jadeaffleck

Jamie McCann25 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Jamie McCann

Age: 24From: North AyrshireOccupation: Eyelash Technician Instagram: jamielouux

Josh Kempton26 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Josh Kempton

Age: 21From: SurreyOccupation: ModelInstagram: joshuakempton

Jordan Waobikeze27 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Jordan Waobikeze

Age: 24From: LondonOccupation: Administrator Instagram: jordanwaobikeze

Molly Smith28 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Molly Smith

Age: 25From: Manchester Occupation: ModelInstagram: mollysmith19

Priscilla Anyabu29 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Priscilla Anyabu

Age: 25From: BatterseaOccupation: Model and Operations Manager Instagram: priscillaanyabu_

Natalia Zoppa30 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Natalia Zoppa

Age: 20From: ManchesterOccupation: Student and Club Promoter Instagram: nataliazoppa

Jamie Clayton31 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Jamie Clayton

Age: 28From: EdinburghOccupation: Recruitment Consultant Instagram: jamieclayton9Twitter: N/A

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