Soph asked
I’m currently taking birth control, and missed my Wednesday and Thursday pills (two doses). On Friday, I got my new pill pack and took one in the morning and one at night. On Saturday, I took my pill at night like i️ normally would, but had intercourse that night. There was no ejaculation. Should I take plan B?
Answer
What you should do when you miss two doses of birth control pills depends on what "week" of pills you are taking and the specific product you are on.
Below, are the most common directions in regard to what to do if you miss two doses of active (hormone containing) birth control pills. Be sure to check the Patient Information of your specific product to determine the most appropriate action.
Missing Two Doses Of Birth Control Pills - What To Do
Missing Two Pills In Week 1 or Week 2
Take 2 pills on the day you remember, and 2 pills the next day (i.e. you missed pills on Monday and Tuesday. Take 2 pills on Wednesday and 2 pills on Thursday). After you are caught up, take 1 pill a day as you usually would until you finish the pack.
When two doses of birth control pills are missed, pregnancy is a possibility if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You should use a back-up birth control method or, if that fails, an emergency contraceptive (e.g. Plan B) if you wish to decrease the likelihood of pregnancy.
Missing Two Pills In Week 3
Day-1 Starter (Started pack on first day of menses):
Discard/throw away the rest of the pill pack and start a new pack that same day.
Sunday Starter (Started pack on first Sunday after menses):
Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, THROW OUT the rest of the pack and start a new pack of pills that same day.
As stated above, ff you miss two doses, pregnancy is a possibility if you have sex in the 7 days after you miss pills. You should use a back-up birth control method or, if that fails, an emergency contraceptive (e.g. Plan B) if you wish to decrease the likelihood of pregnancy.
The above recommendations are general guidelines for what to do if you miss 2 birth control pills in a row. They may vary slightly based on your specific birth control product. Be sure to look at the Patient Information that came with your product to confirm what you should do.
