Missed or skipped periods while taking birth control pills

It is not unusual for women who are taking hormone pills for birth control to have very light periods or no bleeding at all.

If you have not missed any pills, skip 1 period, yet have no other signs of early pregnancy, it is very unlikely that you are pregnant. Signs of early pregnancy include fatigue, breast tenderness or enlargement, nausea or vomiting, and increased urination. Call your health professional if you are worried. Start your next package of pills at the regular time.

If you miss 2 periods in a row, regardless of whether you have missed any pills, take a home pregnancy test. Call your health professional for advice about the test results. If you have not missed any pills, it is unlikely that you are pregnant. Do not stop taking your pills and risk a pregnancy unless instructed to do so by your health professional.

If you forget 1 or more pills and you miss a period, take a home pregnancy test as soon as possible. If the test is positive, stop taking your pills. Call your health professional for advice about the test results. If the test is negative, see below for what to do about missed or skipped birth control pills.

What to do about missed birth control pills

If you miss a pill, follow these instructions:¹

• If you miss 1 pill, take it as soon as you remember. Take your next pill at the regular time.
• If you miss 2 pills, take 1 of the forgotten pills every 12 hours until you have caught up and continue taking the rest of the pill pack. Backup contraception is recommended for 7 days.
• If you miss more than 2 pills, skip missed pills and complete the rest of the pill pack. Backup contraception is recommended until your next menstrual cycle. Taking the rest of the pill pack does not protect you from pregnancy but will control your cycle.

If you had unprotected sex during the time that you missed taking pills, you can use emergency contraception to help prevent pregnancy. You can buy the emergency contraceptive Plan B (sometimes called the "morning-after pill") in most drugstores.

• If you are 18 or older, you can get Plan B from a pharmacist, without a prescription. Bring proof of your age.
• If you are younger than 18, you can get Plan B with a prescription from a doctor.

Citations

1. Hatcher RA, et al. (2005). Pocket Guide to Managing Contraception 2005–2007. Tiger, GA: Bridging the Gap Foundation.