What should women do when they forget their birth control pills?

A forgotten birth control pill can make your stomach drop, especially if you recently had sex. The good news is that in most cases you can get back on track, lower your risk of pregnancy, and avoid interrupting your routine. What you actually need to do depends on the type of pill you take and how many pills you missed, which is why clear, step‑by‑step guidance matters.

Below, you will find exactly what to do when you forget your birth control pills, when to use backup protection, and when to consider emergency contraception. Use this as a quick reference, but always check your pill’s instructions and talk to your health care provider if you are unsure.

Start by figuring out your pill type

Before you decide what to do, you need to know which kind of pill you take. The instructions are different for each one.

There are two main categories:

Combination pills, which contain both estrogen and progestin
Progestin‑only pills, often called the minipill

You can usually find this on the pill pack, the pharmacy label, or the information leaflet that came with your prescription. If the pack has hormone pills plus a row of clearly marked placebo or sugar pills, it is likely a combination pill. Minipills usually have all active pills and no hormone‑free week.

Once you know your type, use the sections below to follow the right steps.

If you take combination birth control pills

Combination pills are the most common type. Missing one once in a while is very different from missing several in a row, so timing matters.

If you missed one active (hormone) pill

If you realize you forgot a single active pill:

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if that means taking two pills in one day.
Take your next pill at the usual time.

Missing one combination pill and catching up within 24 hours usually does not raise your pregnancy risk much, especially if you have been consistent otherwise (WebMD). Many experts note that you typically do not need emergency contraception in this situation unless you miss more pills in the same cycle (Cleveland Clinic).

Using condoms for the next 7 days is a simple way to feel more secure, particularly if you are nervous about the timing (WebMD).

If you missed two active pills in a row

Missing two or more active pills in a row increases your chance of ovulation, so you need a stronger plan.

If you missed two combination pills:

Take the most recent missed pill as soon as you remember.
Throw away any older missed pills rather than trying to catch up on all of them.
Continue taking the rest of the pack on schedule, one pill per day.
Use backup contraception like condoms or avoid sex until you have taken hormonal pills correctly for 7 days (Cleveland Clinic).

If you had unprotected sex in the last 5 days, talk to your health care provider about emergency contraception as soon as you can (Cleveland Clinic). The sooner you act, the better it will work.

If you missed three or more active pills

Missing three or more combination pills means you are no longer protected for that cycle.

If you missed three or more active pills:

Take one pill now to restart your hormones.
Skip the placebo or sugar pills this pack.
Start a new pack the very next day, even if that means you do not finish all the pills in the first pack (Cleveland Clinic).
Use backup protection like condoms for at least 7 days after you restart (Hey Jane). Some guidance suggests up to 14 days if you restart on a delayed schedule.

If you had unprotected sex in the last 5 days, emergency contraception is recommended, because your risk of pregnancy is significantly higher after missing this many pills (Hey Jane).

If you only missed placebo pills

The non‑hormonal placebo or sugar pills at the end of many packs are there to keep your routine steady, but they do not actually prevent pregnancy. If you miss or skip placebo pills:

You are still protected.
You do not need to take any special steps or use backup methods (WebMD).

You can toss the missed placebo pills and simply start your next pack on time.

If you take the progestin‑only pill (minipill)

With the minipill, timing is stricter. The hormone dose is lower, and the pill works in part by thickening cervical mucus, which can wear off quickly if you are late.

Most minipills are considered “missed” if you are more than 3 hours late taking a pill. If that happens:

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if that means two pills in one day.
Continue taking your pills at the usual time every day.
Use a backup method of birth control, such as condoms, for at least 2 days after the missed or late pill according to WebMD’s guidance (WebMD).

The Cleveland Clinic notes that it can take about 2 days for your cervical mucus to thicken again after a missed dose, which explains why backup is essential (Cleveland Clinic).

If it has been more than 24 hours or you missed a full day’s dose, contact your provider for personalized instructions, since different minipill brands have slightly different directions (Verywell Health).

When to consider emergency contraception

Knowing what should women do when they forget their birth control pills also includes understanding when emergency contraception makes sense.

You should reach out to a provider or pharmacist about emergency contraception if:

You missed two or more active combination pills and had unprotected sex in the last 5 days
You missed three or more combination pills at any point in the pack and had unprotected sex in the last 5 days
You were more than 3 hours late or missed a minipill and had unprotected sex in the previous 5 days (Cleveland Clinic)

Options usually include:

A copper IUD, which can be placed up to 5 days after unprotected sex and is highly effective as emergency contraception
Morning‑after pills, which work best the sooner you take them (Verywell Health)

Emergency contraception does not protect you from future unprotected sex in the same cycle, so you will still need to restart or continue your regular birth control and use backup for a short time.

What if more than 48 hours have passed?

If it has been more than 48 hours since your last pill and you have had unprotected sex, your level of protection is significantly reduced.

In this case, most experts advise that you:

Take the most recent missed pill right away and resume your daily schedule.
Use backup contraception such as condoms until you have taken hormone pills correctly for at least 7 days (Verywell Health).
Contact your health care provider promptly to ask about emergency contraception if the unprotected sex was within the last 5 days (Cleveland Clinic).

It can feel stressful to talk about this, but your provider’s only goal is to help you lower your risk and find a method that fits your lifestyle.

If forgetfulness is a pattern rather than a one‑time slip, it may be a sign that a non‑daily method such as an IUD or implant would fit your life better. Verywell Health recommends long‑acting reversible contraception (LARC) as an option for women who frequently miss pills (Verywell Health).

Possible side effects after missed pills

When you miss pills and then catch up, your hormones fluctuate, and you might notice a few short‑term changes.

You might experience:

Light spotting or breakthrough bleeding
A slightly earlier or later period than usual
Mild cramping

Missing a pill can trigger these symptoms, but they usually settle once you have been back on schedule for a few days (Hey Jane). If you have very heavy bleeding, bleeding that lasts more than a week, or strong pain, reach out to your provider to rule out other causes.

How to prevent missed pills in the future

While one forgotten pill every now and then is common, you can make it less likely with a few simple habits.

You might:

Take your pill at the same time as a daily routine, like brushing your teeth at night.
Set one or two alarms on your phone as a reminder.
Keep your pill pack somewhere you will see it, such as next to your toothbrush or on your nightstand.
Carry a spare strip in your bag if you travel or stay overnight with a partner.

If you still find yourself forgetting often, talk to your provider about methods that do not require a daily pill, such as IUDs or implants, which are highly effective and low maintenance (Verywell Health).

Key steps to remember

When you are in the moment, it helps to have a simple mental checklist. When you are wondering what should women do when they forget their birth control pills, think through these points:

Identify your pill type, combination or minipill.
Count how many active pills you missed and how many hours it has been.
Take the most recent missed pill as soon as you remember, then return to your usual time.
Use condoms or other backup protection if instructed, usually 2 days for minipills and about 7 days for combination pills after missing several.
Consider emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex in the last 5 days and missed multiple pills or were late with a minipill.
Call your health care provider if you feel unsure, if you frequently miss pills, or if you notice heavy or prolonged bleeding.

A forgotten pill is stressful, but it does not have to derail your entire month. With quick action, clear steps, and support from your provider, you can protect yourself, feel more in control, and choose the birth control method that truly fits your life.