What Happens If I Miss One Pill? Or Two? Or a Whole Pack?

Life happens. Alarms get ignored. Packs get left at home. And suddenly you’re staring at your pill strip thinking, “Wait… did I take that yesterday?”

First things first: missing a pill is common and it doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to get pregnant. What matters is how many you’ve missed, what type of pill you’re on, and what you do next.

Here’s a no-panic, straight-talking guide to what’s actually risky, what’s not, and how to get back on track.

Missed One Pill? Usually Low Risk

If you’re on the combined pill (the one with oestrogen and progestogen):

If you’re less than 24 hours late, take the missed pill as soon as you remember
Take your next pill at the usual time
You’re still protected
You don’t need emergency contraception

You might take two pills in one day – that’s fine.

If you’re on the progestogen-only pill (mini pill), timing matters more. Depending on the type, being even 3–12 hours late can reduce protection. Take it as soon as you remember and use condoms for the next 2 days (check your specific pill label).

Missed Two or More Pills? Protection Drops

If you miss two or more pills, your protection can drop, especially if this happens:

At the start of a pack
After the 7-day break
If you’ve had sex without condoms

What to do:

Take the most recent missed pill as soon as you remember
Continue the rest of the pack as normal
Use condoms for the next 7 days
You may need emergency contraception if you’ve had unprotected sex

And yes, this can feel confusing. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Missed a Whole Pack or Stopped for a While?

If you’ve stopped your pill for several days or missed most (or all) of a pack:

You are not protected
You should assume you’re at risk of pregnancy if you’ve had sex without condoms
You may need emergency contraception
You’ll need to restart your pill properly and use condoms for at least 7 days

This is one of the most important times to get advice quickly, especially if you’re unsure when you last took a pill.

What If I’ve Been Sick or Had Diarrhoea?

Being sick within 3 hours of taking your pill can mean it didn’t absorb properly. The same goes for severe diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours.

In these cases:

Treat it like a missed pill
Use condoms until you’re back on track
Get advice if you’re unsure

Emergency Contraception: When Should I Think About It?

You might need emergency contraception if:

You missed 2 or more pills
You had sex without a condom
You’re unsure where you are in your pack
You’ve had vomiting or bad diarrhoea after taking pills

The sooner you act, the more effective it is, so don’t wait if you’re worried.

How to Get Back on Track

Missing pills can feel stressful, but you can reset safely.

Helpful tips:

Take your pill at the same time every day
Set a phone reminder
Keep a spare strip in your bag
Consider whether another method (like the injection, implant, coil or patch) might suit your lifestyle better

If pills are hard to remember, you’re not “bad at contraception”, you might just need a method that fits your routine better.

Free, Confidential Contraception Support in Essex

If you’re unsure what to do after missing pills, have had unprotected sex, or want to talk about switching methods, Essex Sexual Health Service is here to help.

You can: