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MISSED THE PILL
MORNING AFTER PILL
EN
Nearly all women who use the birth control pill have forgotten to take it at some point.
The birth control pill should be taken regularly every 24 hours. When used correctly, the birth control pill is one of the safest methods to prevent pregnancy. Knowing what to do when you missed the birth control pill can save you from an unwanted pregnancy.
What to do depends on the types of birth control pills you're taking. The most common birth control pill, colloquially referred to as "the pill" is a hormone product taken orally and containing the female hormones estrogen and progestin. It comes in a package of 21 pills.
The information below regarding the question "missed birth control pill" refers to the above described pill. In case you're not sure what type of birth control pill you're taking, ask your gynaecologist or pharmacist.
You can get pregnant no matter when or how many times you missed birth control pill.
Chances are higher if you missed the birth control pill for seven or more days. This may be the case if you don't start a new package in time, or if you forget to take the very last or the last two birth control pills in your current package.
Please keep in mind that maximum protection is not guaranteed anymore when you take the birth control pill more than 12 hours late.
When protection is not completely ensured, you need to use additional birth control methods (condoms, femidoms).
Missed birth control pill 1st week? Missed birth control pill 2nd, 3rd or 4th week?
The table below tells you what to do if you missed one or more burt control pills in a 21-day package.
Number of missed birth control pills |
When was the birth control pill missed ? |
Missed birth control pill - What should I do ? |
Use additional birth control ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The first 1 - 2 pills in the package |
Missed birth control pill at the beginning of the package 1st week Missed birth control pill 2nd week |
Take a pill as soon as possible. Take the next pill at your usual time (even if this means taking two pills at once) |
Yes |
|
1 - 2 pills |
Missed birth control : day 3-21 |
Take a pill as soon as possible. Take the next pill at your usual time (even if this means taking two pills at once) |
No |
|
3 or more pills |
Missed birth control pill 1st week Missed birth control pill 2nd week |
Take a pill as soon as possible. Take the next pill at your usual time (even if this means taking two pills at once) |
Yes |
|
3 or more pills |
Missed birth control pill 3rd week |
Don't finish the package you started. Throw it away and start a new package. In this case you skip the 7-day break |
Yes |
|
The last 1 - 7 pills left in the package |
Missed birth control pill 4th week |
Discard the pill you didn't take. Take the next pill of the ones left at your usual time. |
No |
It's possible that you don't feel well or that you start feeling sick after taking two birth control pills at once. Don't worry. The discomfort will quickly pass.
To ensure that you don't get pregnant, you can also take a so-called "morning after pill".
Click here for more information about the morning after pill.
Please contact us if you have unanswered questions about "missed birth control pill".
