The Facts About Birth Control

The intention of the birth control pill is to regulate to release of an egg so your menstrual cycle is consistent. In a pack of 21 pills you take 3 weeks of hormone pills and go one week without pills. In a pack of 28 pills you take 3 weeks of pills with hormones and 1 week of hormone free pills. The 28-pill pack allows you to take pills daily rather than stop for a week and start up again with a new pack, allowing for even greater consistency because you get used to taking pills.

However, with all BC pills, if you miss a pill in the week prior to or following the week without hormones, you do increase your chances of ovulating – if this occurs it will increase your chance of pregnancy if you have unprotected sex – another form of contraception is recommended and you may want to get a hold of emergency contraception.

Birth control pills are manufactured in much the same way and have general rules if you miss any days. However, it is always best to contact your physician that prescribes your pills, if you have further questions regarding your specific brand. The key word in taking your pills is consistency – meaning you take them daily and at the same time each day. This steady use of the BC pills will insure its effectiveness to the highest degree for your specific brand.*

If you miss 1 “active” pill, take it as soon as you remember. You would then take your next pill at the normal time. This may mean you take 2 pills in one day.
If you miss 2 “active” pills in Week 1 or Week 2, take the 2 pills as soon as you remember and then 2 pills the next day. Then take 1 pill a day until you finish the pack.
If you miss 2 “active” pills in Week 3 and are a Sunday starter, take 1 pill a day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack the same day. If you are a Day 1 starter throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack the same day.
If you miss 3 or more “active” pills in a row the instructions for missing 2 “active” pills applies.
* It is important to remember that you may become pregnant in the 7 days after you miss pills, therefore it is best to use another form of contraception during this time. You may also want to contact a health professional to procure emergency contraception to have on hand.