Understand what “placebo pills” are first
The 28-pill contraceptive pack is divided into
- The first 21 pills are hormone pills used to control ovulation
- The last 7 pills are called placebo pills (hormone-free) meant to be taken continuously every day to avoid forgetting to start a new pack
During the placebo pill period, the body will still receive the effects of the hormones accumulated from the previous pills if taken on time and every day
Do you need to take emergency contraception during the placebo pill period?
If you take the 28-pill contraceptive on time without missing any hormone pills → there is no need to take emergency contraception
What if you often forget to take the pills?
It is not recommended to take emergency contraception unnecessarily, even if you often forget to take the pills because emergency contraception contains a much higher hormone level than regular contraceptives and may affect the body, such as causing menstrual irregularities, headaches, and nausea
Safe guidelines
- If you forget for 3 days, stop the current pack and start a new pack on time
- Use condoms as well until the effects of the contraceptive become stable again
- If unsure, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional or the RSAThai advisory team
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