Missed Birth Control Pills?

If you are on a progestin-only mini pill these recommendations do not apply

• 1 pill missed

  : Take it as soon as you remember and take your next pill at your usual time. This may mean taking two pills in one day.

• 2 pills missed in a row in the first 2 weeks

  : Take two pills on the day you remember and two pills the next day. Finish the rest of the pack as usual. Use a backup form of birth control, such as condoms, for one week!

• 2 pills missed in a row in the 3rd week

  : Keep taking one pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, set aside the rest of the pack, including the spacers, and start taking a new pack of pills. Use a backup form of birth control for one week!

• 3 or more pills missed in a row anytime

  : Keep taking one pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, set aside the rest of the pack and start taking a new pack of pills. This time, use a backup form of birth control for two weeks!
• Missing any of the last 7 days of a 28-day package will not raise the risk of pregnancy.
• Starting a new pack of pills on time is very important! Use a backup form of birth control for the entire month if the first two pills of a 28-day package are missed.

These guidelines are for estrogen-progestin combo pills ONLY, reading the packet insert for your pills is very important