Missing a birth control pill happens… we get it. Life gets busy, you’re in the middle of deadlines, alarms don’t go off, and sometimes we just forget. BUT! The pill only works to prevent pregnancy if you take it regularly. And if you missed one, your risk of an unplanned pregnancy increases. But don’t panic! Here’s what to do next to stay protected.
Identify Your Pill Type
There are two main types of birth control pills:
- Combined oral contraceptives (contain both estrogen + progestin)
- Progestin‑only pills
The instructions below differ slightly depending on which one you take.
If You Take a Combined Oral Contraceptive
Missed 1 Pill (late by 24-48 hours)
- Take the missed pill as soon as you remember.
- Then take your next pill at the usual time, even if this means taking two pills in one day.
- You don’t need backup protection.
- Emergency contraception can be considered if hormonal pills were missed earlier in the cycle or in the last week.
Missed 2 or More Pills (more than 48 hours since you took a pill)
- Take the most recent missed pill right away and discard the other missed pills.
- Continue taking your pills on schedule.
- Use backup contraception (e.g., condoms) or avoid sex until you’ve taken pills correctly for 7 days in a row.
- If the missed pills were in the first week of your pack and you had unprotected sex in the past 5 days, you should consider emergency contraception.
If You Miss Pills at the End of a Pack
Some packs have a week of “placebo” pills—these don’t have hormones. If you missed active pills near the end of your pack:
- Skip the hormone‑free/placebo pills
- Start a new pack right away
- Use backup protection until you’ve taken 7 pills correctly.
If You Take a Progestin‑Only Pill
POPs are more time‑sensitive; you usually need to take them around the same time each day.
More than 3 hours late or missed
- Take 1 pill as soon as possible.
- Keep taking one pill each day at your usual time.
- Use backup protection or avoid sex until you’ve taken pills correctly at the same time for 2 days.
- If you had unprotected sex within the past 5 days, consider emergency contraception.
General Rule for All Pills
Until you’ve taken your pills every day on schedule for 7 consecutive days, your protection against pregnancy might be reduced. Use condoms or avoid sex during that time.
Tips to Help You Stay On Track
Here are some practical ways to avoid missed pills:
- Set a daily alarm or phone reminder
- Keep your pills somewhere you’ll see them every day (e.g., next to your toothbrush)
- Take your pill with another daily habit (e.g., taking the pill during breakfast)
- If you find yourself missing pills often, consider consulting a healthcare provider—there are other family planning options that offer long-term protection (like implants or IUDs) and may fit your lifestyle better.
Missing a pill doesn’t mean everything is lost, what matters is how you respond. Take it as soon as you remember, follow the guidelines above depending on how many pills you missed, and use condoms or avoid sexual intercourse while you get back on schedule.
If you’re still unsure, talk to a healthcare provider or reach out to our partner clinics and hospitals supporting women’s health and family planning in the Philippines. Staying informed about contraception choices helps you take control of your reproductive health confidently.
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Reference
Cornell Health. (2024). Missed a Birth Control Pill? Here’s what to do. Retrieved February 6, 2026, from https://health.cornell.edu/sites/health/files/pdf-library/missed-birth-control-pill.pdf
