Forgot Your Birth Control Pill? What to Do and What Options You Have If You Are Pregnant

It can happen to any of us: a long day, a change in routine, and suddenly, you realize you forgot to take your birth control pill. In that moment, it is completely normal to feel a bit startled or anxious, but take a breath—information is your best ally.

Here we explain very simply what to do in the moment and how to act if you confirm a pregnancy.

The first thing you should do when you miss a pill

The general rule depends on how many pills you missed and which week of the blister pack you are currently in:

• If it was just one pill (less than 24 hours late): Take it as soon as you remember, even if that means taking two pills on the same day. The risk of pregnancy remains very low.

• If it was two or more pills (more than 24–48 hours late): Take the last pill you missed and continue with the rest of the pack as normal. However, in this case, the effectiveness decreases, so it is very important to use a condom during the next 7 days if you have sex.

• Emergency contraception (Morning-after pill): If you had unprotected sex during the days you missed the pills (especially during the first week of your cycle), you should consider taking emergency contraception within the first 72 hours.

But, what if you took a test and it came back positive?

If your period is already late and a home pregnancy test (or blood test) confirms that you are pregnant, it is time to process the news calmly. Remember that you have control and autonomy over your own body.

You are not alone in this process: Download Aya Contigo 📱💜

Making a decision about your reproductive health can raise many questions.

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Through our application, you can access:

• Clear, scientifically backed information on how to correctly use your birth control.

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• Direct virtual accompaniment to answer your questions and support you in whichever decision you choose for your future.

Your body, your decision. Download Aya Contigo today and enjoy the peace of mind of having expert information right in the palm of your hand.