Missed a Birth Control Pill? Here's What to Do

Question
I am on tri-cyclin and yesterday I forgot to take my pill, should I take it today as soon as possible? or should I take it at the same time as my next one today? or should I skip it all together? Thanks!

Answer
Hi Lindsay,

I do this ALOT! It's not always easy to remember. If you just missed one pill, make it up as soon as you remember. If you didn't know you missed it until the next time, you can take the missed pill at the SAME time you take that pill. It means you may take two at the same time, and thats okay. Don't skip it altogether, that increases your pregnancy risk. As long as you take the missed pill sometime today, and todays pill on time, your ok.

Missing one pill is okay, and as long as you make it up, you don't need a back up method. You are still protected from pregnancy, and it's safe to continue without a back up method. Missing more than one is where there can be a problem.

Now, since you will be taking two pills in one day, you may feel naseous, get a headache, or in rare cases have some light spotting. Its normal for that to happen, because your body got a double dose of hormone. I am on Ortho-TriCyclen right now, and when I've missed one and made it up, I don't notice any side effects, but everyones diffrent. So if you notice that, don't be alarmed, it's normal.

Hope that helps!

Good luck and Thanks, and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Drea Jean

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