I forgot the pill: how to behave according to the week
The pill is the most used method of birth control by women; its main function is to prevent pregnancy thanks to the release of hormones - progesterone and estrogen - which prevent ovulation. However, this is not the only reason why it is taken: in fact, the pill can also help regulate the menstruation, prevent heavy menstrual flow and control acne.
On the one hand, it can also lead to some disturbance, more or less annoying: among these, there is a slight sense of swelling and water retention, which can be countered with some small ad hoc remedies and good behavioral rules, as we point out in the video following.
The first pill is taken on the first day of menstruation and continues until the end of the blister: one pill per day, usually at the same time. There are packs that include seven other placebo pills, which are taken during the rest week, those seven days when we should stop taking them.
So far, it all seems easy, just stick to these little instructions and remember your daily appointment, but what happens if you forget to take one or more pills?
Below you can find guidelines to refer to, which take into consideration various cases and conditions: for example the week you are in, whether or not you have had sex and the number of pills you have skipped.
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If less than 12 hours have passed
If you have noticed that you have forgotten the pill less than 12 hours after the time you should have, you can be more or less calm. In this case, in fact, the contraceptive protection does not decrease.
What you should do is take the pill immediately and continue taking the others at the usual time, which, for a matter of convenience, could probably coincide with dinner time.
If it's been more than 12 hours
If it has been more than 12 hours since you should have taken it, your contraceptive protection may be reduced. The more tablets we forget to take, the less protection against the risk of unwanted pregnancy. The risk then further increases if the forgotten tablet belongs to the beginning or to the end of the cycle (first or last row of tablets).
There are different methods of action depending on the package leaflets for contraceptive pills, let's see them below.
I forgot the pill in the first week
In this case, i.e. if you are in the first week (i.e. in the first row of tablets of the blister), take it as soon as you remember, even if that means taking two pills at a time (i.e., even if the moment you remember taking the missed pill coincides with the time you need to take the next one). Then continue taking the pill according to the classic pattern, but use another method of contraception - a condom - for the next seven days. If you have had sexual intercourse in the seven days before missing the pill, you may be at risk of pregnancy.
Forget the pill the second week
If, on the other hand, you are in the second week (i.e. in the second row of the blister pack), the risk of pregnancy is lower. Take the pill as soon as you remember, even if you have to take two at a time, as in the previous case. If you took the pill correctly seven days before you forgot it, there is no need to use another method of contraception when having sex.
What to do if you miss the pill in the third week
If you forgot to take a pill in the third week (so in the third row of the blister pack), there are two procedures to follow:
- Take the forgotten pill as soon as you remember and continue taking the rest of the pills as usual. Once the blister is finished, you should start the next one, thus eliminating the week off.
- Alternatively, you can choose to stop taking the tablets from the current blister pack and go straight to the rest week. After these seven days, then start a new blister pack of pills again.
Tips and tricks for not forgetting the pill
- Taking the pill should become an immediate reflex, like brushing your teeth, brushing your hair, or a regular fixture like breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This is why it is recommended to take it at a specific time: before or after lunch, with morning coffee, before going to bed or at the same time as another treatment, if applicable.
- Activate a reminder on your mobile: set an alarm or an alarm to sound every day at a certain time to remind you to take your medicine.
- Don't forget to keep one blister at home and carry another in your bag, in case you take an unexpected trip.
- If you forget it often, choose to switch to another contraceptive method that does not require a daily reminder. The vaginal ring can be an excellent alternative, for example. In these cases, talk to your doctor and you will find the best solution for you.
