Missing a progestogen-only pill, also known as the mini pill, can leave you in a panic. But actually, you can be protected for a number of hours if you’ve missed taking it. Below, we explain more about what happens in your body when you miss a pill, as well as what to do. The progestogen-only pill (or POP) works by thickening the cervical mucus at the entrance to your uterus to prevent sperm from entering. In some POPs, such as Lovima®, they also work by suppressing ovulation so your ovaries don’t release an egg. However, if you miss a POP, the hormone can stop working fairly quickly and so the cervical mucus could begin to thin out, allowing sperm to potentially get through. There’s also a chance of ovulation occurring, which is why it’s so important to take it at the same time every day.What happens when you miss a pill?
What should I do if I miss a pill?
If you’re late taking your pill, or you’ve realised you missed taking it altogether, don’t panic. Read our guidance below, which can differ depending on what type of POP you take, to find out what you should do.
You've taken a pill less than three hours late
For many traditional POPs that don't contain desogestrel, you will be protected if you've taken the pill up to three hours late.
Let's say you usually take your pill at 8am each morning, but today you forgot until 11am. What do you do? Take the missed pill as soon as you remember and then take your next pill as normal (8am the following morning). You'll still be protected from pregnancy and you won't need to use extra contraception or emergency contraception.
You've taken a pill more than three hours late
For POPs that don't contain desogestrel, you might not be protected if you've missed a pill for more than three hours.
In this situation, you should take one pill as soon as you remember (don't double up your pills to make up for any you've missed) and then take the next pill at the usual time. This can sometimes mean taking two pills in one day, however you shouldn't take them both at the same time. For example, you usually take your pill at 2pm. However, you missed one and didn't remember until 8am the following day. This would mean you have taken your pill 18 hours too late. It is safe to take one pill at 8am when you remember and then the second pill at your usual time of 2pm.
As an extra precaution, you will need to use alternative contraception, such as condoms, for the next two days. This is the amount of time it takes for the progesterone to thicken the cervical mucus.
If you had unprotected sex during these two days, then you may need to consult a pharmacist or contraception clinic about getting emergency contraception. Emergency contraception ca include a pill, also known as the morning after pill, or an intrauterine device (IUD). Depending on which pill you are taking, your pharmacist may recommend using condoms for up to seven days, because this is how long it takes to prevent ovulation from occurring.
You've taken a pill less than 12 hours late (desogestrel)
POPs that contain desogestrel, such as Lovima®, will still be effective at preventing pregnancy for up to 12 hours after your normal time of taking it.
Therefore, if you've taken a desogestrel pill up to 12 hours late, you will still be protected. Take your missed pill when you remember and then take one at the same time as normal.
You've taken a pill more than 12 hours late (desogestrel)
If you've missed a dekogestrel-containing pill (or multiple pills) for more than 12 hours, then you might not be protected.
In this instance, you should take a tablet as soon as you remember, and then take your next one at the usual time. As described above, this can sometimes result in taking two pills on the same day, which is fine. Lovima® advises that you will also need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the next seven days.
If you have unprotected sex during this time, pop in and speak to a pharmacist about your options. This may include emergency contraception.
Where can I get more advice?
For extra advice on what to do if you miss a contraceptive pill, you can speak to or visit any of the following:
- A pharmacist
- A family planning clinic
- A contraception clinic
- A GP
- An NHS walk-in centre
- The Family Planning Association (FPA)
All pills vary, so please ensure you read the patient information leaflet inside your pack or consult your pharmacist for further advice.
Sources
//www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/miss-progestogen-only-pill/
Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst on August 30, 2021
Share on PinterestIbai Acevedo/Stocksy United
Unprotected sex after one missed birth control pill isn’t catastrophic, though it might feel that way. Take a breath, and read on. We’ll tell you everything you need to know.
That includes any sex that happened with a broken condom, expired condom, or other condom mishap — or with someone using an expired birth control method or not taking their birth control consistently.
Depending on the type of birth control pill you take, you might not have to do anything, but we’ll get into the deets in a minute.
Basically, if you take combination birth control pills, you’re still protected against pregnancy, because they provide a steady stream of medication in your system. *Happy dance*
If you take a progestin-only pill, your protection window is a lot smaller, so a trip to the pharmacy or clinic for emergency contraception (EC) might be in order, depending on when you took your last pill.
(FYI, EC should be taken within 72 hours, if possible, after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the more effective it is.)
Worth mentioning: Some morning-after pills are less effective for people who weigh more than 155 pounds, so keep that in mind as you decide which emergency contraceptive option is best for you.
How long it’s been since your last pill will determine your next steps, along with the type of pill you take.
Combination pill (active)
Combination pills are those that contain estrogen and progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone. The first 3 weeks of a pack are active, and the last week of a pack are placebo pills.
When taken consistently, the active pills maintain the therapeutic drug level needed to stop ovulation. No ovulation = no unwanted pregnancy.
Also, a combo pill isn’t considered “missed” if it’s been less than 24 hours. Just take your missed pill and get back to livin’ and lovin’ as you wish.
Combination pill (placebo)
Placebo pills don’t contain any hormones. They’re basically placeholders to help you stay on schedule. This means you technically didn’t miss a *real* birth control pill.
Just get back to taking your pills as usual, and go forth and fornicate, friend.
Progestin-only pill
The protection window for progestin-only pills — or “minipills” — is only 3 hours. This means, if you took your pill 3 or more hours later than you normally take it and had unprotected sex, you could become pregnant.
First, take your missed pill. Next, get EC.
You have a couple of EC options to choose from, but the least expensive and most accessible is the EC pill, aka morning-after pill.
The EC pill typically costs between $40 and $50, and you can get it over the counter (OTC) in most pharmacies, regardless of age and without showing ID.
Again, the type of pill matters, and so does how many pills you’ve missed. Just remember that, no matter what, you have options.
Here’s what to do for each type if it’s been 24 to 48 hours since your last birth control pill.
Combination pill (active)
If you missed 1 or 2 active combination pills, you should still be protected against pregnancy.
Take your missed pill ASAP, even if it means taking two pills in the same day.
If you decide to have penis-in-vagina sex again, using a backup method of birth control is a good idea — especially if you’re in the early part of your cycle or the last week of your last cycle.
Combination pill (placebo)
Placebo pills don’t contain hormones, so you’re fine. Just start your next pack as you normally would.
There’s no need to stress if you had unprotected sex — at least not as far as pregnancy goes.
Progestin-only pill
If you use a progestin-only pill, you’re well past the protection window at this point and NOT protected against pregnancy.
Here’s what to do:
- Take one pill when you remember, even if you missed more than one by now.
- Take your next pill at your usual time, even if it means taking two on the same day.
- Go to a healthcare professional or pharmacy for EC, pronto.
The longer you go without taking your birth control pills and the more pills you miss, the higher your risk of pregnancy. But, even if it’s been over 48 hours since your last pill, you still have options.
Combination pill (active)
If you missed two or more active combination pills at this point:
- Take your most recent pill ASAP and throw out any other missed pills.
- Get back on track by taking the remaining pills in your pack as you normally would, even if it means taking two the same day.
- Use backup birth control or avoid penis-in-vagina sex until you’ve taken active pills for 7 consecutive days.
If the missed pills happened in the last week of your active pills (like days 15 through 21 of a 28-day pack), skip your week of placebo pills and start a new pack the next day.
Using EC isn’t a bad idea, especially if active pills were missed during the first week and the unprotected sex happened in the previous 5 days.
Combination pill (placebo)
You don’t need to do anything as long as you only missed placebo pills. Just keep taking your pills like you’re supposed to.
Progestin-only pill
You probably missed two pills by now. It’s not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world.
Do this ASAP:
- Take a pill as soon as you remember — only one pill, even if you missed more than one.
- Take the next pill at the usual time, even if it means taking two the same day.
- Use a backup method of birth control for 2 days after restarting your pills.
- Talk with a healthcare professional or head to a pharmacy for EC.
Hold your horses! Taking a pregnancy test too soon will give you an inaccurate result.
You should only take one if you don’t get a period within 4 to 6 weeks after the missed pill.
Reach out to a healthcare professional if you think you might be pregnant, whether you had a positive home pregnancy test or have early symptoms of pregnancy.
Early symptoms often include:
- unexpectedly late period
- unexplained nausea and fatigue
- tender or swollen breasts
If you forget to take your birth control pills often, it might be time to talk with a healthcare professional about birth control methods that you don’t need to take every day.
It may be worth checking out a birth control option that you only need to use once per week, once every few months, or even once every few years.
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a Canada-based freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. When she’s not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board.
Last medically reviewed on August 30, 2021