Thinking of doubling up your birth control pill because you missed taking the regular one? It can be a scary situation to be in but here’s what you should consider before taking a double up!

Chances Of Pregnancy Due to Absence of Birth Control

The pill is only as effective as we are compliant. It is ’99 percent effective’ thing is only legit if the pill is taken correctly, and this means taking your pill at the same time every single day. The risk of getting pregnant depends on two things – your cycle during that period while you had unprotected sex and what type of pill you take. The type of pill you consume has more effect on your health and chances of being pregnant.

• Combined Contraceptive pills

Combined contraceptive pills contain both; progestin and estrogen. You are at highest risk of unintended pregnancy if you missed a pill in the first week of a new pack and had sex in the last five days.

• Progestin only Contraceptive Pills

If you are late in taking progestin only pills within three hours after sex, you can get pregnant. So be careful and ask your health provider for all the information of your birth control pills.

Having Backup or Emergency Contraceptives

• If having combined contraceptives

Since combined oral contraceptives prevent ovulation, you don’t necessarily need backup birth control or emergency contraception unless you have missed more than one pill. If you missed another pill during your last cycle or earlier in your current cycle and you’ve had unprotected sex, you may want to take emergency contraception (such as Plan B) if you’ve had unprotected sex. If you haven’t had sex but missed more than one pill (again, during this cycle or between this cycle and the last one), use a condom when you have sex. Continue using added protection until you have taken seven hormonal (read: not sugar pills) in a row. Or don’t have sex until then.

• Only Progestin Pills

If you take progestin-only birth control and you’re more than three hours late taking it, use backup birth control until you’ve taken the pill on time for two consecutive days. If you’ve had sex after forgetting to take your pill, consider taking emergency contraception.

Additionally, it is always a good idea to remember taking your pills regularly. If you have tendency to forget about it, you can set an alarm or maybe use some apps that help you remember it.

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