What to Do If You Miss a Birth Control Pill: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Missing a birth control pill happens to the best of us. Whether you forgot a single dose or missed a couple of days, there are clear steps to take to reduce the risk of pregnancy and get back on track.
1. Identify What Type of Pill You Take
There are two main types of birth control pills:
- Combined oral contraceptives (contain estrogen and progestin)
- Progestin-only pills (mini-pills)
Your response may differ depending on which kind you use.
2. If You Miss One Combined Pill (Less Than 24 Hours Late)
- Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two in one day.
- Continue your pack as normal.
- No backup contraception is needed.
3. If You Miss Two or More Combined Pills
- Take the most recent missed pill immediately.
- Continue the pack, but use a backup method (like condoms) for the next 7 days.
- If pills were missed during the first week, and you had unprotected sex, consider emergency contraception.
4. If You Miss a Progestin-Only Pill (More Than 3 Hours Late)
- Take the pill as soon as possible.
- Use backup contraception for 48 hours.
- If you had unprotected sex during that window, emergency contraception may be needed.
5. Don’t Skip the Placebo Pills
Placebo pills (often the last 7 in your pack) don’t contain hormones and can be skipped or taken to stay in the habit. However, missing active pills is where problems begin.
6. Prevent Future Missed Pills
- Set daily reminders or alarms
- Use apps like Pill Plan for personalized medication tracking
- Keep pills in a visible place you check daily
- Learn how to take supplements and medications together safely to avoid timing conflicts with other routines
When to Talk to a Doctor
If you’re unsure what to do or you miss multiple pills in one cycle, consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice. You can also read the official guidance from Planned Parenthood for step-by-step instructions.
