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Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers

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Family Planning

A GLOBAL HANDBOOK FOR PROVIDERS

Supporting the User

 

Managing Missed Pills

It is easy to forget a pill or to be late in taking it. POP users should know what to do if they forget to take pills. If a woman is 3 or more hours late taking a pill (12 or more hours taking a POP containing desogestrel 75mg) or if she misses a pill completely, she should follow the instructions below. For breastfeeding women, whether missing a pill places her at risk of pregnancy depends on whether or not her monthly bleeding has returned.

Making Up Missed Progestin-Only Pills

 

Key message
  • Take a missed pill as soon as possible.
  • Keep taking pills as usual, one each day. (She may take 2 pills at the same time or on the same day.)
Do you have monthly bleeding regularly?
  • If yes, she also should use a backup method for the next 2 days.
  • Also, if she had sex in the past 5 days, can consider taking ECPs (see Emergency Contraceptive Pills).
Severe vomiting or diarrhea
  • If she vomits within 2 hours after taking a pill, she should take another pill from her pack as soon as possible, and keep taking pills as usual.
  • If her vomiting or diarrhea continues, follow the instructions for making up missed pills above.