Missed a Birth Control Dose? Here Is What to Do

The Short Answer

What you should do depends on which method you use, how late you are, and where you are in your cycle. For most methods, acting within 24-48 hours means your protection is likely still intact. Below are step-by-step instructions for each method. When in doubt, use backup contraception (condoms) and contact your provider.

Missed Combined Pill

Less than 24 hours late (missed 1 pill)

1. Take the missed pill as soon as you remember.
2. Take the next pill at your usual time (even if that means two pills in one day).
3. No backup contraception needed.
4. Continue the rest of the pack normally.

24-48 hours late (missed 2 pills)

1. Take the most recent missed pill now. Discard the earlier missed pill.
2. Continue taking one pill daily at your usual time.
3. Use backup contraception (condoms) for the next 7 days.
4. If the missed pills were in the first week of the pack and you had unprotected sex in the past 5 days, consider emergency contraception.

More than 48 hours late (missed 3+ pills)

1. Take the most recent missed pill now. Discard earlier missed pills.
2. Continue the pack.
3. Use backup contraception for 7 days.
4. If you are in the last week of active pills, skip the placebo week and start a new pack immediately.
5. Consider emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex.

More on missed pills specifically

Missed Progestin-Only Pill (Mini Pill)

The mini pill has a tighter window. Traditional mini pills must be taken within 3 hours of the same time each day. Newer formulations (Slynd/drospirenone) allow a 24-hour window.

Traditional mini pill (more than 3 hours late)

1. Take the missed pill immediately.
2. Use backup contraception for 48 hours.
3. If you had unprotected sex in the past 5 days, consider emergency contraception.

Slynd/drospirenone pill (more than 24 hours late)

1. Take the missed pill immediately.
2. Use backup contraception for 7 days.

Late Patch Change

Less than 48 hours late

1. Apply a new patch immediately.
2. Keep your original change day.
3. No backup contraception needed.

More than 48 hours late (or forgot during week 1)

1. Apply a new patch immediately.
2. Use a new change day (the day you apply the new patch).
3. Use backup contraception for 7 days.
4. If you had unprotected sex, consider emergency contraception.

Late Ring Removal or Insertion

Ring left in more than 3 weeks (but less than 4 weeks)

1. Remove it.
2. Take your ring-free week as normal.
3. No backup needed.

Ring out for more than 7 days (or forgot to insert a new one)

1. Insert a new ring immediately.
2. Use backup contraception for 7 days.
3. Consider emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex.

Ring fell out (less than 3 hours)

1. Rinse with cool water and reinsert.
2. No backup needed.

Ring fell out (more than 3 hours)

1. Rinse and reinsert immediately.
2. Use backup contraception for 7 days.

Late Depo-Provera Shot

Your shot is due every 12-13 weeks (about 3 months).

Less than 2 weeks late

1. Get your shot as soon as possible.
2. No backup needed.

More than 2 weeks late

1. Get your shot as soon as possible.
2. Use backup contraception for 7 days after the injection.
3. Your provider may recommend a pregnancy test before giving the shot.

Methods You Cannot Miss

IUDs (hormonal and copper): Once inserted, they work continuously. Nothing to remember, nothing to miss.

Implant: Releases hormones steadily for 3-5 years. No action required until replacement.

This is one of the biggest advantages of long-acting methods - they remove the possibility of human error entirely.

When to Consider Emergency Contraception

Consider emergency contraception if:

• You missed pills in the first week of a new pack AND had unprotected sex
• Your patch or ring has been off/out for more than 48 hours AND you had unprotected sex
• You are more than 2 weeks late for your Depo shot AND had unprotected sex

Options include:

• Plan B (levonorgestrel): Available over the counter. Most effective within 72 hours.
• Ella (ulipristal): Prescription needed. Effective up to 5 days. Works regardless of weight.
• Copper IUD: The most effective emergency contraception. Can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex and then kept as ongoing birth control.

Preventing Missed Doses

• Set a daily phone alarm for pills (the bloom app includes pill reminders)
• Write your patch-change day or ring-change day in your calendar
• Schedule your next Depo appointment before leaving the clinic
• Consider switching to a long-acting method (IUD or implant) if remembering doses is a recurring problem

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I missed one birth control pill?

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your usual time, even if that means two pills in one day. No backup contraception is needed if you were less than 24 hours late.

How late can I be for my Depo shot?

You have a 2-week grace period (up to 15 weeks from the last shot). If you are more than 2 weeks late, get your shot as soon as possible and use backup contraception for 7 days after.

Can I miss a dose with an IUD or implant?

No. IUDs and implants work continuously - there is nothing to remember or miss. This is one of their biggest advantages.

When should I use emergency contraception after missing birth control?

Consider emergency contraception if you missed pills in the first week of a new pack AND had unprotected sex, your patch or ring was off/out for more than 48 hours AND you had unprotected sex, or you are more than 2 weeks late for your Depo shot AND had unprotected sex.

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