Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, Medico, MPH – Written by Pandia Wellness Editorial Team. Updated on February eleven, 2021

You know that feeling of momentary panic when you realize you lot've forgotten to take your nascency control pill? It's like when you lose your wallet, keys, or phone, but the effect is potentially getting pregnant Not fun!

Thankfully, you lot have some leeway if you miss a regular birth command pill. Read on to larn more about what happens if you miss your pill and the course of action you should have to become dorsum on track .

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How many active pills in a row have you taken?

The first matter to consider when you notice that you take missed your pill is how many agile pills in a row you have taken prior to the skipped solar day.

I've missed one to five pills

When you continually use the birth command pill, patch, or ring, your hormone levels remain stable for those three weeks that you are taking the active medication. A withdrawal bleed occurs when those hormonal levels drop, commonly considering y'all've entered the placebo week or take missed three or more pills in a row.

Previously, birth control pills contained 100 micrograms of hormones, whereas today, well-nigh pills contain 20-35 micrograms . When the microgram level was higher, the week of placebo pills was deemed necessary considering the hormones in the agile pills stayed in the torso longer. However, now that there are fewer micrograms of hormones in the pill, taking the daily dose is especially important for increasing efficacy and preventing pregnancy . If you lot have taken your active pills regularly prior to the placebo week, you should still be protected during this time.

Let's say yous miss 5 days of your birth control pills in a row. In this scenario, you've essentially approximated the placebo week! Depending on the blazon of nascency command pill you're on, the menstruum you take the sugar pills (placebo pills) can final anywhere from four to seven days. This is not a problem if yous've already taken iii weeks of active pills in a row leading up to this point, every bit the hormones will still be active in your body and working to forbid pregnancy.

However, if you're only on the first, 2nd, or 3rd calendar week of your pill pack and you haven't taken a pill for three to five days in a row, you may not exist protected from pregnancy. Furthermore, if y'all plan to accept heterosexual sex, you should use an external bulwark such as condoms . Not only will this provide extra protection from pregnancy, just it will also preclude the spread of STIs between you lot and your partner.

I've missed more five pills

If you go more than seven days without the hormone, then you lot take chances ovulation occurring — this is when an egg travels from your ovaries to your uterus for fertilization — therefore increasing the risk of pregnancy. However, this can happen quicker for women who accept a high BMI (weight-to-elevation ratio) as this can lead to quicker ovulation; women who are overweight may experience ovulation just five days after being off of the pill, patch, or ring.

TL;DR: If you've missed five or more days of birth control and desire to have sex, y'all should use a backup form of contraception equally y'all are at take chances of getting pregnant. Additionally, if yous realize that y'all skipped a birth command pill in the days after you had sexual activity, information technology may be a good idea to use emergency contraception such equally Ella or Plan B.

What type of pill are you on?

The effects of skipping your birth control can vary depending on which type you are taking . If you're non sure, there is a combination pill (which contains both estrogen and progesterone ) and a "mini" pill (which contains only progesterone).

I'm on the mini pill

If you lot're using the mini pill and are at least 3 hours late to take information technology on a certain day, here's what yous need to do:

  • Utilize a backup method if y'all program on having sex in the next three days

  • Use emergency contraception if you had sex in the previous three days before missing your pill

I'm on the combination pill

If you're using the combination pill here'due south what yous demand to exercise:

  • If you've missed 1 pill: take the last pill yous missed as before long as possible, even if this means taking 2 pills in 1 solar day

  • If you've missed two or more: have the terminal pill you missed as soon as possible, acquit on taking the rest of the pack every bit usual, and employ a bulwark method such equally condoms to foreclose pregnancy if you have sex in the next calendar week. You may also need to utilise emergency contraception if yous missed more than than 1 pill in the kickoff calendar week of your pack and had unprotected sex activity.

Whether you lot lost a pill, forgot to have it, or simply didn't desire to accept it, yous're non alone. About people have skipped or forgotten to take their birth control at some point. However, information technology's of import to recollect that in society for birth command to exist effective at preventing pregnancy , it must be taken as prescribed.

Birth control delivered pills

So, what's side by side?

What happens if you miss a 24-hour interval of birth command?

The first step is to not panic. Missing simply one 24-hour interval of birth control is not the terminate of the globe, as you volition still exist protected from pregnancy if you take been taking it regularly. Take the missed pill equally soon as you remember that you forgot it. If that happens to be the side by side day, have it with your next pill (taking ii pills at once is okay!).

What happens if yous miss two days of nascence control?

If yous missed two pills, take both pills equally soon as possible. Then, accept the adjacent two pills the next day and continue on with your regular one-pill-per-day routine afterward.

What happens if you miss three days of birth control?

3 missed pills could lead to you getting your flow and, more importantly, getting pregnant. If you lot're sexually active , brand sure to employ a barrier birth control method like condoms. If you had penetrative intercourse in the previous five days, consider using emergency contraception .

What happens if you miss a week of birth control?

Missing one week of nascence control is more than or less the equivalent of taking placebo pills for a week. You volition likely get a menstruation. If this happens, it's necessary to use an additional form of contraception in order to foreclose pregnancy, as yous will no longer exist protected by the hormones in your pill. If you purposely skipped your pills because yous do not similar your current prescription, consult a doctor ; there are dozens of different types of pills bachelor, so your md can help you find an culling option that works amend for your body and lifestyle.

Tin skipping your menses prevent pregnancy?

I was sabotaged by my baby box

What'southward the takeaway?

What happens if you miss a day of birth control?

The first step is to not panic. Missing just i day of nascency command is not the terminate of the earth, as you will still be protected from pregnancy if you lot accept been taking it regularly. Take the missed pill as shortly as y'all call up that you forgot it – if that happens to be the adjacent day, take it with your next pill (taking ii pills at one time is okay!).

What happens if yous miss two days of birth command?

If y'all missed two pills, accept both pills every bit soon as possible. And then, take the adjacent ii pills the next 24-hour interval and continue on with your regular one-pill-per-mean solar day routine later.

What happens if you miss three days of birth control?

Three missed pills could lead to you getting your period and more importantly, getting pregnant. If y'all're sexually active, brand sure to utilise a backup birth control similar condoms. If you had penetrative intercourse in the past five days, consider using emergency contraception.

What happens if you miss a week of nativity command?

Missing one week of birth control is about the equivalent of taking placebo pills for a week. Furthermore, you will likely become a menstruation. If this happens, it is necessary to use an additional course of contraception in order to prevent pregnancy, as you will no longer exist protected by the hormones in your pill. If you purposely skipped your pills because you do non like your electric current prescription, consult a doctor; they can assist you find something that works better for your trunk and lifestyle.

Can skipping your period prevent pregnancy?

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Skipping your period is possible when you accept nascence control. If you're on the pill, simply skip the last calendar week (the placebo week or the calendar week of no pills) and commencement your next pack correct away. You can also inquire your medico to prescribe you packs that do non contain placebo pills. If you are always on an active pill, your risk of becoming meaning will decrease. With that said, it's important to remember that the pill alone won't forbid the spread of STIs.

To learn more about the benefits of skipping your period with birth control, check out our #PeriodsOptional page .

Now yous know what happens when you miss a pill and how to make sure that yous forestall unplanned pregnancy!

How Can Pandia Assistance?

One of the superlative reasons why women that women miss their pill is because they've run out! Whether due to having no time to run to the pharmacy or not being able to get a prescription renewed, running out of pills is a huge dilemma. Don't let this happen to y'all.

So, gear up it and forget it with Pandia Wellness , the about trusted provider for nascency control commitment and the Only doctor-led, women-led, and women-founded . Allow us worry about getting your birth control to you on fourth dimension, so you don't have to. Sign up today to get your prescription (new or old) delivered to your mailbox for FREE. You'll never run out of birth control on our spotter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I lose a nascence control pack?

Dr. Sophia Yen, CEO and co-founder of Pandia Health, notes that y'all should contact your chemist's and enquire for a replacement pack. Virtually insurance will cover it; if non, it's mostly effectually $15/pack.

Can yous get pregnant if you miss one pill?

Information technology'southward non likely if you lot've only missed one! However, if y'all've missed 3 days of pills, you are at run a risk of getting meaning. Consider taking emergency contraception if you had sex during those three days.

What happens if y'all accept your birth command tardily?

You volition be protected equally long every bit you lot accept the combination birth control pill inside 5 hours on either side of the time you took it the day earlier. However, it's recommended that you get into a routine of taking your pill at the aforementioned fourth dimension every solar day. Progestin-only pills (minipill) should be taken at the same time every twenty-four hour period, as existence off past even iii hours can reduce the level of protection. Combination birth control pills tin exist off by +/- 5 five hours. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to get into a routine of taking your pill at the same time every twenty-four hours. Progestin-just pills (minipill), however, should be taken at the same time every day, as being off by 3 hours tin reduce the level of protection.

Disclaimer: The to a higher place information is for general informational purposes simply and is Non a substitute for professional medical communication. Always seek the communication of your md/chief care provider before starting or irresolute treatment.