Lost a Birth Control Pill? Understanding Effectiveness & What to Do

Question
Im on birth control and today as I went to go take my daily pill i dropped it in
my car and could not find it for the life of me, so i just took another pill from
that pack. This is a new pack and i can only get one refill a month so i have no
back up pill pack making me one pill short this month. So my question is, is the
pill effective when i START a new pack or FINISH my next pack? Thank you

Answer
Dear Jennifer,

I would suggest that you just continue taking your pills as they are in the pack. You will end the cycle a day early. If you want to remain on the same start day, go ahead and take the first day in the next pack on the day you normally would. It simply makes you have 6 days of no pill or inactive pills this cycle rather than 7. Effectiveness should not be effected at all, but if you want to be ultra careful, use a back-up method for the rest of this cycle.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda