What to do if you miss a pill
If you miss a pill, you need to read the directions for your pill. Many pill directions are fairly similar, so here is a guide to what you can expect. Don’t use this for your advice, however: check your individual birth control to find out what to do.
If you have already thrown away your birth control package, open up your next month’s supply to see the instructions.
If you miss a pill (even if you are just late), you must use an alternative form of contraception along with your pills for the seven days following. This might mean using a barrier method like condoms or a diaphragm for the seven days after you miss a pill. Explain the importance of this to your partner so that the onus of birth control is not solely on you.
If you are late with a pill, but within the same day, take your pill as soon as you remember. Continue taking your birth control as scheduled for the rest of your cycle. Use a back up form of contraception for seven days after you forget.
If you forget to take your pill one day, take it when you remember on the following day. Continue taking your birth control as scheduled for the rest of your cycle. Use a back up form of contraception for seven days after you forget.
If you forget to take your pill two days in a row, you might be asked to take three pills at once on the day you remember, or you might be asked to take two pills a day for the two days following. Continue taking your birth control as scheduled for the rest of your cycle. Use a back up form of contraception for seven days after you forget.
If you forget to take your pill for three days in a row, you need to use a back up form of contraception for the rest of your cycle. Read the instructions that come with your birth control to see what to do. You might be asked to restart your cycle more quickly.
