I forgot to take the contraceptive pill: what to do?

If you forget to take the contraceptive, it is recommended to take the forgotten pill as soon as possible, as soon as you remember, so that it can have the desired effect, to prevent pregnancy.

However, regardless of the type of contraceptive, whether 21, 24 or 28 days, missing one or more pills, especially in the first week of the pack, can reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive in preventing pregnancy.

It is important to take the pill as advised by the gynecologist, and if a woman suspects that she has become pregnant while taking the pill, she should consult her doctor. Another recommendation is that if a woman tends to forget to take the pill, the possibility of using another contraceptive method should be considered, and it is important to discuss the change and how it should be done with the gynecologist. Find out how to choose the best contraceptive method.

Forgetting the 21 and 24 day pill

In the case of 21 and 24 day pills (Diane 35, Selene, Tâmisa 20, Ciclo 21, Yaz Flex, Yasmin, Mirelle C), which contain combined hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, if you have forgotten for up to 12 hours, It is recommended to take it as soon as you remember, without there being any risk of getting pregnant.

However, if you have forgotten for more than 12 hours, it is recommended:

• In the 1st week: take as soon as you remember and the other at the usual time. Use a condom for the next 7 days. There is a risk of becoming pregnant if you have had sexual intercourse in the previous week.
• In the 2nd week: Take it as soon as you remember, even if you have to take 2 pills together. There is no need to use a condom and there is no risk of getting pregnant.
• At the end of the card: take the pill as soon as you remember and follow the pack normally, but amend it with the next pack, immediately after, without menstruating.

Generally, a woman runs the risk of becoming pregnant when she forgets to take it in the first week of the pack and if the woman has had sexual intercourse in the previous 7 days. In the 2nd or 3rd week, the risk of pregnancy is lower if the woman has taken it correctly in the previous weeks.

It is important to highlight that any contraceptive pill does not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and it is important to always use a condom in all sexual relations. Check out the main STIs.

Missing the 28-day pill

In the case of the 28-day pill (Micronor, Adoless, Gestinol, Qlaira and Elani 28), if you forget to take it for up to 3 hours, it is recommended to take it as soon as you remember, without there being any risk of pregnancy.

If you forget to take more than 3 hours, it is also recommended to take it as soon as you remember, however it is important to use a condom for the next 7 days to prevent pregnancy.

Forgetting continuous pills

In the case of the pill for continuous use (Cerazette, Nactali, Mylus and Mamades), you should take the forgotten pill as soon as you remember, if you missed it within 12 hours, and take the next pills at the usual time. In these cases, the contraceptive effect of the pill is maintained and there is no risk of becoming pregnant.

If you forget more than 12 hours, you should take the pill immediately as soon as you remember, even if you have to take two pills on the same day and take the following pills at the usual time. In this case, the contraceptive effect of the pill is reduced, and it is recommended to use another contraceptive method, such as a condom, for the next 7 days.

The contraceptive protection of the continuous-use pill can be reduced if there is an interval of more than 36 hours between two pills, and there is a greater chance of getting pregnant if you forget to take it within the first week of use.

Forgot to take birth control for 1 or more days

It is necessary to follow some recommendations on what to do according to the number of pills in the pack, such as:

1. If you forget to take 1 pill from the pack

• When you need to start a new pack, you have up to 24 hours to start the pack without having to worry. You don’t need to use a condom in the next few days, but there is a risk of getting pregnant if you had sexual intercourse in the previous week.
• If you only remember to start the pack 48 hours late, there is a risk of getting pregnant, so you should use a condom for the next 7 days.
• If you forget more than 48 hours, you should not start the pack and wait for your period to arrive and on the first day of your period, start a new pack. During this period of waiting for your period, you must use a condom.

2. If you forget 2, 3 or more pills in a row

• If you forget 2 pills or more from the same pack there is a risk of getting pregnant and therefore you must use a condom for the next 7 days, there is also a risk of getting pregnant if you have had sexual intercourse in the previous week. In any case, you should continue taking the pills normally until you finish the pack.
• If you forget 2 tablets in the 2nd week, you can abandon the pack for 7 days and start a new pack on the 8th day.
• If you forget 2 tablets in the 3rd week, you can abandon the pack for 7 days and on the 8th day start a new pack OR continue with the current pack and then amend with the next pack.

When to take the morning after pill

The morning-after pill is an emergency contraception that can be used up to 72 hours after sex without a condom. However, it should not be used regularly because it has a high hormonal concentration and alters a woman’s menstrual cycle. Find out more about the morning after pill.

How to know if I’m pregnant

If you forget to take the pill, depending on how long you forgot, the week and how many pills you forgot to take in the same month, there is a risk of getting pregnant.

Therefore, to find out if you are pregnant, you need to take a pregnancy test, which can be blood or urine. It is recommended that the pregnancy test be carried out at least 5 weeks after the day the pill was forgotten, as this will ensure that there are sufficient amounts of the beta-HCG hormone circulating, which is the hormone related to pregnancy.

Another faster way to know if you are pregnant is to observe the first symptoms of pregnancy that may appear before your missed period. You can also take our online pregnancy test to find out if there is any chance you could be pregnant: