Missed Oral Contraceptive Pills

,

I missed my Oral Contraceptive Pills, what do I do?

How to manage missed doses of combined hormonal oral contraceptive pill.

According to reports up to half of women don’t take combination Oral Contraceptives regularly…and many don’t know what to do when a dose is missed.   The most risky time to miss a pill is at the beginning or end of a 21-day cycle. It is like extending the hormone-free interval beyond seven days…increasing the risk of ovulation and unintended pregnancy.

What to do is largely dependent on when the dose was missed.

Missed 1-2 pills in WEEK ONE

If one or two pills are missed take one pill as soon as possible and then continuing the pack. It is okay if this means taking two pills in one day.   It is recommended that you use backup contraception for 7 days.

 Missed 1-2 pills in WEEK Two to Three

If one or two pills are missed take one pill as soon as possible and then continuing the current pack. It is okay if this means taking two pills in one day. Skip the placebo pills and go straight to a new pack without the usual hormone-free interval. No backup is usually needed.

Missed 3 pills in WEEK Two to Three

If three pills are missed take one pill as soon as possible and then continuing the current pack. It is okay if this means taking two pills in one day. Skip the placebo pills and go straight to a new pack without the usual hormone-free interval. It is recommended you use backup contraception for 7 days.

,