Why Missing or Losing Birth Control Pills Can Cause Confusion?

They often follow a strict schedule. Missing or losing a tablet can put us in a puzzle of what to do next

16 Mar, 2023

Kashish Sharma

Comes with attendance

Using a pill is so easy. Just swallow it with water. However, birth control pills often come with attendance. You miss a pill and your mind turns clueless about what do to next.

Source: Thehealthsite

Kind will decide the next step

When you miss or lose a birth control pill, the next course of action depends upon the kind of pill you might be consuming.

Source: Thehealthsite

Strict and specific instructions

Birth control pills usually help prevent pregnancy. They do that by stopping ovulation and thickening cervical mucus. These hormonal pills have types and come with strict and specific instructions.

Source: Thehealthsite

Mini pill to be taken in a 3-hour window

Progestin-Only Pills or Mini pills have just one kind of hormone (progestin) and have to be taken within the same three hours every day. The effect of this pill wears out quickly.

Source: Thehealthsite

Did you miss your mini pill?

As per CDC, if a person misses their mini pill and it has been 27 hours or more since the last dose, one can take the next dose as soon as possible or could use additional methods of contraception for 48 hours.

Source: Thehealthsite

Combination pills

Another kind is the combination pill that contains both progestin and estrogen. It usually comes in a 21 or 28-day pack.

Source: Thehealthsite

21-day pack

In a 21-day pack, the person has to take pills each day and have to start with a fresh pack after a break of 7 days when they won’t be taking any pills.

Source: Thehealthsite

28-day pack

The 28-day pack comes with 21 days of hormonal pills (active pills) and 7 days of placebo or reminder pills (inactive pills). These reminder pills have no hormones in them.

Source: Thehealthsite

It’s ok to skip the placebo pills

If you lose or miss an active pill, take the next active pill as soon as possible. If you miss an inactive or reminder pill, it is fine to skip the dose altogether.

Source: Thehealthsite

Emergency pills

Emergency pills as the name suggests are taken soon after an unprotected sexual encounter. They do not work on an already established pregnancy.

Source: Thehealthsite

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