If you take the pill for contraception, depending on the number of pills you missed and when you missed them, you might need to take emergency contraception or use a backup form of contraception to prevent pregnancy. Not everyone takes the pill for contraception, which means your response to a missed pill might be different. When did you start this pill pack?ĭid you start this pill pack in the past week or so? Or has it been longer? If you’re in the first or last week of the pill pack, emergency contraception may be useful.

When do you take your last 2 pills?ĭid you take your last two pills in the past 2 to 3 days? Or has it been longer? A longer break between taking your pills may mean that emergency contraception and backup contraception are required. If you take a combination birth control pill, the response to a missed pill is slightly different from someone who takes a progestin-only pill. When did you miss your pill?ĭid you miss your pill today, yesterday, or earlier in the pack? When you missed the pill may affect what you should do in response. If you aren’t sure what you should do, ask yourself the following. There are several courses of action, and they all depend on what form of birth control pill you’re using, as well as how many pills you may have missed. You should never leave more than 7 consecutive days between taking active pills. Use backup BC or abstain until you’ve taken pills for 2 consecutive days.ĭiscard the missed inactive pill(s), and continue on your normal schedule. If you had unprotected sex within the past 5 days, consider using EC.

If you missed pills in the third week, take the active pills in the pack daily until you run out, then start a new pack the next day.Ĭontinue taking pills on your regular schedule. Use backup BC or abstain until you’ve taken active pills for 7 consecutive days. If you missed your pills during the first week of your cycle and had unprotected sex, consider using EC. Unless you missed the pill early in your cycle or late in your previous cycle, it typically isn’t needed. Plan B or other emergency contraception (EC)Ĭontinue taking the rest of the pills on your normal schedule, even if that means taking 2 in 1 day.

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