Millions of women rely on oral contraceptives for birth control. But even the most conscientious woman may miss a dose a time or two. Health experts have given conflicting instructions about missed birth control pills for years. The November 2008 issue of the “Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada” put forth new guidelines in hopes of lessening the confusion.
Doses Less Than 24 Hours Late
If the missed pill is less than twenty-four hours late, take it as soon as your remember, even if it means you will have to take two pills in one day. Take the rest of the pills in the pack daily until they are finished.
Missed Pills During Week One
If one or more pills are more than twenty-four hours late during week one, take a pill as soon as you remember, and then continue on with your regular dosage schedule. Take the remaining pills at the same time each day until you finish the pack. Use a back-up method of birth control for the next seven days.
Missed Pills During Weeks Two and Three
If you miss one or two pills by more than twenty-four hours during weeks two or three of the pack, take a pill as soon as you remember. Take the rest of the active pills once daily. Instead of taking the placebo (sugar) pills, discard them and begin a new pack right away.
Take similar action if you miss three or more pills by more than twenty-four hours in weeks two or three. Take the first missed pill as soon as possible, and then finish taking the active pills once daily. Throw the placebo pills away, and instead begin a new pack as soon as all the active pills have been completed. You must also use back-up birth control for seven days.
Ovulation After Missed Pills
You are most likely to ovulate after a hormone-free cycle of more than seven days. For that reason, missing pills in the first week of the pack puts you at the greatest risk for an unplanned pregnancy. It is important to take all twenty-one active pills each month to ensure that your hormone-free cycle does not exceed the seven-day mark. That is also why back-up birth control is recommended if the missed pill or pills occur in the first week of the pack.
Oral contraceptives are extremely effective in preventing pregnancy, but the failure rate increases the more doses are missed. When the pills are taken at the same time each day, their effectiveness approaches 100%.
Each pack of birth control pills should contain a patient information insert. If the directions on the leaflet differ from those given above, follow the directions on the package insert.
 |
