Missed one day of birth control pills in 21 days

Generally speaking, many female friends are prone to missing doses when taking emergency contraception, which is a very common situation. Missing an emergency contraceptive pill may result in accidental pregnancy. Short-acting contraceptive pills are a more convenient and reliable contraceptive method, also called 21-day emergency contraception. Because traditional short-acting contraceptives usually come in packs of 21 pills, you take the pills for 21 consecutive days, one pill a day, then stop taking the pills for 7 days, and then take the pills again.

What should I do if I miss one day of emergency contraception within 21 days?

The use of short-term contraceptives must start from the 5th day of menarche, taking 1 tablet every night, 22 tablets per cycle, and cannot be interrupted. If you miss a dose, take 1 tablet within 12 hours. Missing an emergency contraceptive dose can cause a decrease in estrogen levels in the blood, leading to vaginal bleeding. According to investigation, if you miss one dose, the bleeding rate is 15%; if you miss two doses, the bleeding rate is 20%-60%; if you miss three doses, the bleeding rate reaches 60%-100%.

If vaginal bleeding is as heavy as during menstruation after missing a dose of emergency contraceptive, you should stop taking the pill and count it as 1 menstruation. Start taking emergency contraceptive for the next menstrual cycle on the 5th day.

Missing emergency contraception can not only cause vaginal bleeding, but also continue to affect the actual effectiveness of contraceptive measures. If you miss a dose and do not take it within the prescribed time, in addition to taking 22 emergency contraceptive pills again as required, you should also use condoms to prevent pregnancy.

Missing a dose of emergency contraceptive may cause the above-mentioned adverse effects, so those taking the medicine should attach great importance to it and avoid missing a dose.

Calculate how long you have missed taking emergency contraceptive pills

1. If you miss a dose within 12 hours

The contraceptive effect will not be reduced at this time. Please take one more tablet immediately when you remember it, and then take the medicine normally. There is no need to use additional contraceptive methods.

2. If you miss a dose for more than 12 hours

Now, proceed to the next step.

Calculate the number of missed doses of emergency contraception in the first few weeks of taking the pill.

Emergency contraception pills are usually taken for 3 weeks, followed by a 1-week break (some packages come with built-in comfort pills).

1. If you miss a dose in the first week:

Take the pill as soon as you remember (even if it means taking two pills at a time), and then take the pills as normal at your normal medication time.

In addition, please note: If you have sex within the next 7 days, remember to use a condom.

2. If you miss a dose in the second week:

Please make up for it as soon as you remember, and then take the medicine normally at the usual time.

If you take the pill on time within 7 days before missing a dose, you don't have to worry about the effectiveness of the contraceptive measure; otherwise, if you have sex within the next 7 days, you need to use a condom.

3. Missed dose in the third week:

Please recall whether you took the medicine on time in the past 7 days before you missed a dose?

If you finish taking the medicine on time, you can either make up for the missed dose, then take the medicine for this cycle without stopping, and then take the medicine for the next cycle; otherwise, you should not finish taking the medicine at all, start counting from the day you missed a dose, stop taking the medicine for 7 days, and then take the medicine for the next cycle.

No other contraceptive method is necessary.

If you have not taken the medicine on time in the past 7 days, please make up for the missed doses, and then take the medicine for this cycle without stopping, and then take the medicine for the next cycle. If you have sex within the next 7 days, please use a condom.