Missing a pill happens to most people at some point: a late start, a pack left behind while travelling, and the morning pill slips your mind. Because different pills have different rules, it helps to know which one you take. Combined pills (sometimes called microdosed pills) allow a window of up to 12 hours; if you miss one by more than that, you are no longer protected, so use condoms and consider emergency contraception if you have had unprotected sex. Progestogen-only pills (mini-pills) need to be taken at a much more consistent time. For most, the window is 3 hours; for desogestrel, it is 12 hours.

After your responses to our earlier articles on contraception and pregnancy, we know that the pill suits many people but has one obvious drawback: it is easy to forget. Whether you are a few hours late or several days late, it is not always clear what to do. It can be tempting to follow a friend's or family member's advice, or simply hope it will be fine. Here is what to do if you miss your contraceptive pill, so you can choose the right next step. If you are unsure, emergency contraception is an option: speak to your pharmacist or another healthcare professional promptly, and they can advise on what is appropriate for you.

If you take a progestogen-only pill (mini-pill) and miss it beyond the grace period

For most progestogen-only pills, the grace period is 3 hours; for desogestrel, it is 12 hours. You may be at risk of pregnancy if you had sex after that window passed, or if you do not take the pill on time. Use another method of contraception, with condoms being the safest back-up.

A hand holds a progestogen-only pill pack near a clock in morning light
Taken at a fixed time: the daily routine for progestogen-only pills

If you had sex after missing the pill and after the grace period, emergency contraception should be considered without delay, and remember to use protection afterwards. If you are unsure, your pharmacist or GP can guide you.

If you take a combined pill

Combined pills generally allow a missed pill window of up to 12 hours. Beyond that, you are no longer protected. Use condoms for 7 days, and consider emergency contraception if you have had unprotected sex.

A young woman takes her pill with a glass of water in a bright kitchen
Twelve hours of leeway: the window to know for the combined pill

If you have forgotten a pill but are still within the window your pill allows, there is usually no need to panic: protection should remain effective, as long as you do not keep missing pills. If you have missed it by more than 12 hours, things change: you are no longer protected and you need to use condoms. What to do next depends on the type of pill and when in the pack you missed it. This is exactly the kind of question to ask your GP, nurse or pharmacist rather than guess. If you had unprotected sex in the meantime, consider emergency contraception without delay.

If you have missed your pill for several days and do not want to restart it this month, for whatever reason, use another method of contraception and speak to a healthcare professional about how to restart safely.

If you had sex after the missed pill window, pregnancy is still possible. Emergency contraception is advised, and you should speak to a healthcare professional without delay.

If you forget to restart your pill after the seven-day break

After the seven-day break, the grace period for restarting a combined pill is 12 hours, as official guidance states. Beyond that, you are no longer protected. Use condoms for 7 days, and speak to your GP, nurse or pharmacist about the best way to restart your pill. In all cases, emergency contraception should be considered if you have had unprotected sex: ask a healthcare professional for advice.

A pill pack and a condom on a linen bedside table
Restarting after the break: back-up protection helps

If your missed restart is within the 12-hour window, you should still be protected. It is still best to speak to your pharmacist to be certain. If you are unsure how much time has passed or what to do, talk to your pharmacist or another healthcare professional, who can advise on the right option for you.

Finally, a useful reminder: if you vomit or have diarrhoea within 3 hours of taking your pill, it may not have been fully absorbed. Tell your GP, nurse or pharmacist, who can advise what to do. This is why it helps to have a spare pack to use if this happens.

Cost and access

In the UK, contraception is free through the NHS. This includes the combined pill, progestogen-only pills and emergency contraception, whether you get them from a GP, a sexual health clinic, a contraception clinic or some community pharmacies. The combined pill and most progestogen-only pills are prescription-only, although some pharmacies can provide a progestogen-only pill after a consultation. Emergency contraception should always be discussed with a healthcare professional. It is free from NHS sexual health clinics and many pharmacies, and it can also be bought from some pharmacies if you prefer. The useful step is not to worry about cost but to speak to your GP, sexual health clinic or pharmacist, who can advise on the right option for you.

Sources

  • NHS — contraception and emergency contraception
  • NICE — contraceptive services
  • MHRA — medicines information
  • Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) — UK clinical guidance
  • The original French article also drew on Assurance Maladie (ameli.fr), Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM), Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) and Collège national des gynécologues et obstétriciens français (CNGOF).