Forgetting to take birth control pills is a common occurrence. But did you know that the number of days you forget to take them affects the effectiveness of the pills? This article will help you learn the correct way to fix it.
1. What to do if you forget to take 1 birth control pill
Solution:
- Take the missed pill as soon as you remember even if you have to take it with the next pill
- Then continue taking the next pill as usual
- No need to use additional contraception (condoms)
Effectiveness of the pill:
- If you follow the instructions, the effectiveness of the birth control pill remains high
2. What to do if you forget to take 2 birth control pills
Solution:
- Take the missed pill as soon as you remember (take 2 pills on the same day)
- The next day, take another 2 pills to compensate
Effectiveness of the pill:
- The chance of pregnancy may slightly increase if you have intercourse during the time you forgot to take the pill
3. What to do if you forget to take 3 or more birth control pills
✔ Solution:
- Stop taking the current pack immediately
- Use backup contraception such as condoms until your period starts
- Start a new pack on the first day of your period
✔ Effectiveness of the pill:
- The chance of pregnancy increases. You should use condoms if you have intercourse during the time you forgot to take the pill
4. Additional advice
- If you forget to take the placebo pills (28-day birth control pills), there is no need to worry as they are hormone-free pills
- If you forget to take birth control pills more than once in a month, consider switching to a more suitable method of contraception, such as injectable contraceptives or implantable contraceptives
For contraceptive advice, contact us here RSA Online: https://abortion.rsathai.org
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