A busy life could lead to accidentally forgetting to take your contraceptive pill. There is no need to panic. We’ll walk you through what to do if you miss a pill- so take a deep breath and dive in.
To begin, what kind of pills do you take?
There are two main types of contraceptive pills: the ‘combined pill’ and the ‘mini-pill’. The combined pills are made up of two synthetic hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. They are generally taken for a 21-day period with a one-week break between packs. They work by preventing ovulation so you don’t get pregnant.
The mini pills, also known as progestogen-only pills, include only progestogen. These pills are taken 365 days a year and are often recommended for women who can’t take oestrogen.
What counts as a late pill?
Oral contraceptives are 99% effective when taken regularly every day at the same time. Now, this can be a challenge for anyone. Our best practices: set an alarm on your phone and carry a backup pack in your bag at all times.
If you know you have missed a pill(s), consult the leaflet that came with your contraceptive pills. The efficacy of your pill may have been compromised and the leaflet contains instructions to get you back on track.
In addition, if you had sex around the time you forgot your pill, you may still be at risk of pregnancy and may need to take the morning after pill. Refer to your leaflet for more detailed instructions.
You have two options for the morning after pill: the levonorgestrel-based pill that you can take up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex. The other morning after-pill contains ulipristal acetate. This is the only oral emergency contraceptive that can be taken up to five days (or 120 hours) after engaging in unprotected sex. However, both are recommended to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex or contraception failure. They work by preventing or delaying ovulation, which will prevent the egg from getting fertilized by the sperm and therefore, avoid the risk of becoming pregnant.
If you have any questions or concerns, rest assured that your pharmacist or GP will be able to provide the best advice given your individual situation.
