What To Do After a Missed Birth Control Pill
According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 31 percent of birth control pill-using women fail to take one or more doses during each cycle.
Missing a combination hormonal contraceptive pill can reduce contraceptive effectiveness.
The chance of pregnancy is highest when active pills are missed at the start or end of a cycle.
Making informed choices requires a thorough understanding of the potential implications of a missed birth control pill.
This article will furnish the necessary information to understand the consequences of a missed dose and determine the next course of action.
What to do if you miss a pill
It’s critical to take the required precautions to reduce the risk of pregnancy if an individual has missed a birth control pill.
The steps to follow will be decided by the sort of pill being taken and the number of missed doses.
There is useful advice below on what to do in a variety of situations of missed birth control pills.
Missed the combination pills
Progestin and Estrogen are both present in Combined Oral Contraceptive pills, or COCs.
Hormone-containing “active” pills are typically taken for 21 days, after which there is a 7-day hormone-free break.
During this time, hormone-free pills or no pills are taken.
In the case of combination pills, it is considered “missed” if one forgets to take the tablet for more than 24 hours.
If one hormonal (active) pill was missed
In such a case, doctors usually recommend you to get back to the usual routine, which may need taking two pills in one day.
There’s no need for backup contraception.
If two or more active tablets were missed
It is suggested to take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two doses on the same day.
You should throw away the remaining missed pills.
If you’ve had unprotected sex in the last five days and don’t want to get pregnant, consider using emergency contraception.
A backup birth control method (e.g., condoms) to prevent pregnancy is also suggested until hormonal pills for 7 consecutive days are taken.
If there are fewer than seven hormonal pills left in the pack following the last missed pill, skip the rest of the pills and begin a new pack right away.
If one or more nonhormonal or placebo (inactive) pills were missed
If someone forgets to take a placebo, it is advisable to dispose of the missed pills and take the next dose at the scheduled time.
Missed the mini-pill/Progestin-only pill
The “mini-pill,” also known as the Progestin-Only Pill (POP), has no Estrogen.
While combination birth control pills have a drug half-life of around 24 hours (meaning that 50% of the drug leaves the system after 24 hours), mini-pills have a drug half-life of only 12 hours.
This results in a noticeably narrower umbrella of protection and an increased chance of pregnancy from missing doses.
If a mini pill is missed within three hours or less
It is important to take their pill as soon as you remember if it was supposed to be taken less than three hours ago.
It is not necessary to use a backup birth control method.
If a mini pill is missed for over three hours
If someone missed one day’s pill, it is better to take it immediately and then take the scheduled dose of the current day.
It’s okay to take two pills in one day.
For the next two days, using a backup method of birth control is suggested.
You may also consult a doctor and continue to take the remaining pills as prescribed.
Additionally, use an alternative method of contraception for the following 7 days.
On forgetting two or more pills in a row, your doctor might advise you to take the pill as soon as you can and another one at the scheduled time.
Resume taking their pills as usual after that.
Can you get pregnant from a missed pill
Missing a dose or more of a birth control pill can increase the risk of pregnancy.
This risk depends on the type of pill, the number of active pills missed, and the number of pills remaining.
If you miss a birth control pill, use a backup form of contraception, such as condoms, and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Pregnancy from a missed minipill (Progesterone only)
Missing a day increases the risk of becoming pregnant.
So, people should use an alternative method of contraception.
Not taking pills during the initial week of a fresh pack or immediately before the period increases the likelihood of becoming pregnant.
Additionally, there is always a danger of pregnancy if someone does not take tablets for 7 days in a row.
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YasminFemilonPregnancy from a missed combination pill
If an individual misses a combined contraceptive pill, the chance of pregnancy depends on factors such as the number of pills missed and when the pills were missed.
Missing a pill in the first week of the pack increases the chance of pregnancy more than missing a pill in the later weeks.
Side effects of missing birth control pill
The common side effects of missing birth control pills include:
- Breakthrough bleeding or spotting: This is the most common side effect of missing a pill. It may lead to light bleeding or starting a period
- Nausea: Missing multiple pills and then making up for them can lead to nausea due to the higher dose of hormones
- Ovulation: Missing a pill may increase the chance of ovulation, especially if multiple pills are missed, raising the risk of accidental pregnancy
- Headaches or migraines: Missing pills, especially at the beginning of a new pack, can cause headaches or migraines due to lower Estrogen levels
- Decreased contraceptive effectiveness: Missing pills can decrease the contraceptive effectiveness, increasing the risk of pregnancy
If someone experiences any of these side effects or is concerned about missing a pill, it’s important to use a backup method of contraception.
Additionally, consider switching to a different birth control method if the doses are missed frequently.
Conclusion
Missing a birth control pill significantly reduces the effectiveness of contraception, with the biggest risk of conception occurring when pills are missed at the beginning or end of the cycle.
The exact steps to be taken depend on the type of pill and how many were missed.
Progestin-only pills must be taken on time, and multiple missed pills demand alternative contraception for extended periods.
Combination pills require careful adherence, with different recommendations for one or more missed doses, which include taking two pills.
Risks of missed birth control pills include breakthrough bleeding, nausea, ovulation, headaches, and decreased contraceptive effectiveness.
Prompt actions, such as using backup contraception and seeking professional advice, can reduce these risks.
Sticking to a birth control regime or looking into other options is the best way to make sure it works and avoid associated problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you miss one birth control pill?
Missing one birth control pill increases the risk of pregnancy, especially with combination pills. Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, use backup contraception, and consult healthcare if unsure.
How many hours late is a missed birth control pill?
A missed birth control pill is considered late if taken more than three hours past the scheduled time for progestin-only pills. For combination pills, missing by more than 24 hours is considered late.
Will my period start if I miss one pill?
Missing one birth control pill may not immediately trigger your period. However, it can increase the risk of breakthrough bleeding or spotting. It’s essential to take the missed pill as soon as possible and use backup contraception.
Can I take 2 birth control pills a day?
Taking two birth control pills in a day is generally not recommended without consulting a doctor. However, specific instructions may vary based on the type of pill and the circumstances, so seek professional advice before doing so.
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