Birth control pills are designed to be taken every day — so what should a person do if they lose one from the packet? It can be easy to lose a pill in a handbag or down the drain. If this happens, the best course of action depends on the type of pill.
In this article, we discuss what a person should do if they lose a combination or progestin-only birth control pill. We also explore how missing a pill can affect pregnancy rates and medical conditions. Combination pills contain both estrogen and progestin.
If a person loses a pill, they should call their doctor and ask for a replacement pack as soon as possible. In the meantime, the doctor may offer the following advice:. If a person loses a pill and fewer than 48 hours have passed since they took their last pill, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommend:. If a person has lost only one pill and returned to a regular dosage immediately, it is not usually necessary to use alternative methods of contraception, such as condoms.
However, it is best to use these if there are any doubts. Returning to a reliable dosage of birth control becomes more difficult if a person has missed two or more doses, or it has been longer than 48 hours since the last dose. Progestin-only pills are also called POPs or mini-pills. A person must take them within the same 3-hour period every day to prevent pregnancy. Progestin-only pills take effect more quickly than combined pills, typically within about 2 days, but the effects also wear off more quickly.
Essentially, you have a 3-hour grace period. If you miss taking 1 mini-pill, take it as soon as you remember. You should use a backup contraceptive method like condoms until you take your mini-pill correctly, on time, for 2 days in a row.
The CDC has more information on mini-pills here. Here's when you want to be extra careful. The CDC says to take the most recent missed pill as soon as possible throw away any other pills you've missed.
Continue taking your pills as normal, but your chances of getting pregnant are greater now. You should use back-up contraception like condoms or not have sex until after you've taken your active pills for 7 days in a row. If you've missed a pill, either the combined contraceptive pill or the mini pill, we have pretty detailed information for you below on what to do if you miss your combined contraceptive pill or mini-pill.
After you've missed your contraceptive pill, we always advise you to follow the instructions in your pill packet and, if needed, speak to your doctor or healthcare provider. However, we've put together a detailed guide to help you decide the right course of action if you forget to take your contraceptive pill over 1, 2, or 3 days. According to the CDC, if you've missed only 1 combined contraceptive pill then you should not have to worry about getting pregnant the next time you have sex.
Here's what you should do:. Take the last pill straight away and, if needed, the current pill too. It's okay to take 2 pills in one day.
If you're set to have a monthly period, then take your 7-day break or your inactive pills as usual Or, if you're not planning to get your monthly period, you can skip the inactive pills and move on to the next pack. Missing 2 birth control pills increases the chances of ovulation, especially at the start of a new pack.
If you've forgotten to take 2 of your combined pills the advice is to:. Take the last missed pill, even if this means taking 2 pills on one day. Don't take any other missed pills. Take emergency contraception if you've had unprotected sex within the first week of a new pill packet. Week 3 is the week before you get your monthly period. Or if you're not set to get your monthly period, this would be the week before starting your new pack if skipping your period.
Start a new pack at the end of the 3rd week. You should never leave more than 7 consecutive days between taking active pills. Things to consider. If you missed 1 hormonal active pill.
If you missed 2 or more hormonal active pills. If you missed 1 or more nonhormonal or placebo inactive pills. When to see a doctor or other healthcare provider. Read this next. How to Handle a Pregnancy Scare. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.
Take Action vs. Plan B: What Are the Differences? Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. Note: if the first day of your period is a Sunday, you can skip step 1. You will not need to use a back-up method of birth control, since you are starting the pill at the beginning of your period.
If your period begins on Sunday, start the pack that same day. Use another method of birth control as a back-up method if you have sex anytime from the Sunday you start your first pack until the next Sunday 7 days. Condoms or foam are good back-up methods of birth control.
Take one pill at approximately the same time each day until the pack is empty. Do not skip pills even if you are spotting or bleeding between monthly periods or feel sick to your stomach.
Do not skip pills even if you do not have sex very often. Do not wait any days between packs. Take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you may take 2 pills in 1 day.
Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. You may not have your period this month, but this is expected. However, if you miss your period 2 months in a row, call your doctor or clinic because you might be pregnant.
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