What to do if you missed a birth control pill

First — take a breath. This happens more often than you think. Missing a pill is not a reason to panic or blame yourself. It is a reason to act calmly and quickly.

What to do depends on two things: what type of pill you use and how much time has passed.

Step 1. Check which pill you take

Usually it is one of these:

• Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs) — estrogen + progestin
• Progestin-only pills (mini-pill)

If you are not sure, check the package insert or ask your doctor.

Step 2. If you use COCs

Less than 24 hours late

• Take the pill as soon as you remember
• Take the next pill at the usual time
• Contraceptive protection is usually maintained

Missed 1 pill (more than 24 hours)

• Take the most recently missed pill right away
• Continue the rest as usual
• Use condoms for the next 7 days
• If this happened in week 1 and you had unprotected sex, consider emergency contraception

Missed 2 or more pills

• Take the most recently missed pill
• Continue the pack as scheduled
• Use condoms for 7 days
• If this is near the end of the pack, many guidelines suggest skipping the break and starting a new pack (follow your pill’s instructions)

Step 3. If you use a progestin-only pill

Timing matters a lot here.

• For some pills, the late window is about 3 hours
• For others, up to 12 hours

If you are outside that window:

• Take the pill immediately
• Continue as usual
• Use condoms for at least 48 hours (or as your leaflet says)

Step 4. When to consider emergency contraception

Consider it if:

• you had unprotected sex after missing pills
• the miss happened in week 1 of a COC pack
• you missed several pills in a row

The sooner after intercourse, the better it works.

Step 5. When to take a pregnancy test

If:

• there was a pill error + unprotected sex
• your period is late
• you feel unsure

A test is usually informative 14–21 days after risky intercourse.

How to reduce missed pills in the future

• set 2 reminders (main + backup after 20–30 minutes)
• keep your blister near a daily routine trigger
• carry 1–2 spare pills in your bag
• mark each dose in a tracker

You are not “irresponsible” because of one missed pill. You are human. Stress, travel, and routine changes happen. What matters is having a clear plan.

IVA helps you stay on top of reminders, cycle patterns, and symptoms — with less panic and more control.