Women forget to take their birth control pills every day for all sorts of reasons, whether because of hectic workdays, outings with friends and family, or refill-related forgetfulness. If you realized you didn’t take your last pill, learn more about what missing it means and what to do about it.

How It Will Impact Your Cycle

Your Period

Missing a pill can increase the likelihood of your ovaries releasing an egg for fertilization. Spotting, or light bleeding between periods, is common even if you remember to take the missed pill because it temporarily alters hormone levels.

You might also skip your next period; however, menstruation returns to normal once you resume your regular pill schedule. Other factors can account for missed periods while taking pills, including stress, dietary changes, and too much exercise.

Your Chances of Conception

The risk of pregnancy depends on when in the menstrual cycle the pill was missed and the type of birth control. For example, if the pill wasn’t taken when ovulation would normally begin, it increases conception chances.

After missing a combination pill, or one containing estrogen and progesterone, pregnancy chances are low because the drug prevents egg release and thickens cervical mucus and uterine lining to protect against sperm.

Progesterone-only pills only thicken uterine lining and cervical mucus. Missing one subsequently increases conception chances because the ovaries still release eggs. 

What to Do

How to handle missed doses depends on how many pills you forgot to take. If you forgot one, take it immediately upon remembering. If you didn’t take one the previous day, take both pills that day.

If you missed two pills over two days, take two pills that day and two pills the following day. Missing three or more pills requires taking two pills for three consecutive days or starting a new birth control pack that Sunday.

These recommendations put you back on schedule; however, if you miss three or more pills, use additional methods to prevent conception, such as condoms or a diaphragm, for at least 14 days until your routine has resumed. To be extra safe, use additional birth control until you finish the current pill pack.

Find out more about your birth control options from Paula Korn ANP in Anchorage, AK. With more than 35 years of experience, the women’s health clinic offers a wide range of reproductive services, from endometriosis and PCOS diagnosis to pregnancy care. Call (907) 277-2597 today to make an appointment, or learn more about their women’s health services online.