The short explanation
Missing a combined pill in the first week of a new pack carries a higher risk of pregnancy than at other times, because the pill-free or placebo break has just happened and the ovaries may be ready to release an egg. If you had unprotected sex in the days around the missed pill, emergency contraception may be needed. The usual advice is to take the most recent missed pill as soon as you remember, continue the rest of the pack as normal, and use condoms for the next seven days. Because rules differ slightly depending on how many pills were missed and the type of pill, check the leaflet in your pack or ask a pharmacist or doctor today.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Emergency contraception works best when used as soon as possible after sex.
- If you often forget pills, a method that does not need daily action, such as an IUD, implant or injection, might suit you better.
- A pregnancy test about three weeks after the unprotected sex can confirm whether you are pregnant.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell your personal pregnancy risk. A pharmacist or doctor can advise based on how many pills you missed and when.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Do I need emergency contraception?
- How should I continue my pack?
- How long should I use condoms as backup?
- When should I do a pregnancy test?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Get help the same day
- Get advice the same day from a pharmacist or doctor about emergency contraception.
Book an appointment soon
- Do a pregnancy test about three weeks after the unprotected sex.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine appointment if you often forget pills, to discuss other methods.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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