What to do if you miss a dose of your contraceptive pill
Contraception is an integral part of reproductive health, offering individuals the ability to plan their futures with confidence. Among the most widely used methods are oral contraception pills, known for their convenience and effectiveness when taken correctly. However, understanding what to do if you miss a dose is equally important to ensure continued protection and peace of mind. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different types of oral contraception pills, how they work, and provide guidance on managing missed doses to maintain their effectiveness.
If you're on the combined contraceptive pill and you miss a pill, what you need to do depends on:
- how many pills you have missed (you have missed a pill when it's more than 24 hours since you should have taken it)
- when you missed your pill (where you are in the pack)
- the type of combined pill you're taking
This advice is about combined contraceptive pills, except Daylette, Eloine, Qlaira and Zoely.
What if I have missed 1 pill?
If you have missed 1 pill anywhere in the pack or started a new pack 1 day late, you're still protected against pregnancy.
You should:
- take the last pill you missed now, even if this means taking 2 pills in 1 day
- carry on taking the rest of the pack as normal
- take your 7-day pill-free break as normal, or if you're on an everyday (ED) pill, take your dummy (inactive) pills
You do not need to use extra contraception.
What if I have missed 2 or more pills?
If you have missed 2 or more pills anywhere in the pack or started a new pack 2 or more days late (48 hours or more), your protection against pregnancy may be affected.
You should:
- take the last pill you missed now, even if this means taking 2 pills in 1 day
- leave any earlier missed pills
- carry on taking the rest of the pack as normal
- use extra contraception, such as condoms, for the next 7 days
When you come to the end of your pill pack, after missing 2 or more pills:
- if there are 7 or more pills left in the pack after the last missed pill – finish the pack, take your 7-day pill-free break as normal, or take your inactive pills before you start your next pack
- if there are less than 7 pills left in the pack after the missed pill – finish the pack and start a new pack the next day; this means missing out the pill-free break or not taking your inactive pills
- You may also need emergency contraception if you have missed 2 or more pills in the first week of a pack and had unprotected sex in the previous 7 days.
What if I'm not sure what to do?
If you're not sure what to do:
- continue to take your pill
- use another method of contraception, such as condoms
- get advice as soon as possible
Why this advice may be different from the advice in your contraceptive leaflet
You may find the advice on this page differs from advice provided in the contraceptive manufacturer's patient information leaflets.
The information on this page is based on recommendations issued by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA).
The recommendations are evidence-based, which means they're supported by a large amount of scientific research.
These recommendations are used in the FPA's combined pill patient information leaflet.
The manufacturer's advice may be more cautious and say there's a risk of pregnancy if you have missed 1 pill or a pill is taken more than 12 hours after the usual time.
Where to get further advice
You can get advice from:
- a contraception (family planning) clinic
- an NHS walk-in centre
- NHS 111
- the FPA
- a GP
- a pharmacist
Find sexual health services near you (including contraception clinics).
What to do if i miss a dose of my Progesterone-only pill?
This advice is about the progestogen-only pill (POP), or mini pill. For advice about the combined contraceptive pill
The advice for a missed POP depends on whether your pill contains desogestrel or not. You can find out if your pill is a desogestrel pill by:
- checking the packet
- checking the patient information leaflet that comes with the packet
- asking a pharmacist
Less than 3 hours late (or less than 12 hours late for a desogestrel pill)
You are still protected against pregnancy if:
- you're taking a traditional POP, such as Micronor, Norgeston or Noriday, and you're less than 3 hours late taking your pill
- you're taking a desogestrel pill, such as Cerazette or Cerelle, and you're less than 12 hours late taking your pill
What you should do:
- take the missed pill as soon as you remember
- take the next pill at the usual time
- you do not need to use extra contraception
- if you've had unprotected sex, you do not need emergency contraception
More than three hours late (or more than 12 hours late for a desogestrel pill)
You're not protected against pregnancy if:
- you're taking a traditional POP and you're more than 3 hours late taking your pill
- you're taking a desogestrel pill and you're more than 12 hours late taking your pill
What you should do:
- take a pill as soon as you remember – only take 1, even if you've missed more than 1 pill
- take the next pill at the usual time – this may mean taking 2 pills on the same day (1 when you remember and 1 at the usual time), this is not harmful
- carry on taking your remaining pills each day at the usual time
- use extra contraception such as condoms for the next two days (48 hours) after you remember to take your missed pill, or do not have sex
- if you have unprotected sex during the two days after you miss your pill, you may need emergency contraception – get advice from your GP or contraception clinic
It takes 2 days for the POP to thicken cervical mucus so that sperm cannot get through or survive. The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare advises using extra contraception for 2 days after you remember to take your pill.
The patient information leaflet that comes with your pill might say to use condoms for the next 7 days after you remember to take your pill. This is because it takes 7 days for the pill to stop ovulation.
Where to get advice
If you're not sure what to do, you can get advice from:
- a contraception (family planning) clinic
- an NHS walk-in centre
- FPA (formerly the Family Planning Association)
- a GP
- a pharmacist
Oral contraception pills are a reliable and convenient option for birth control, but taking them consistently is essential to ensure their effectiveness. Missing a dose doesn’t have to mean a loss of protection if you know the steps to take and act quickly. By understanding how these pills work and how to handle missed doses, you can stay in control of your reproductive health. If you’re ever unsure, consult our healthcare providers for personalised advice. With the right knowledge and support, oral contraception pills can provide the confidence and reliability you need.
