When to move onto Plan B?

February 16, 2010 9:14 AM

Is missing one birth control pill by about 19 hours enough to warrant getting Plan B?

I took the pill at my normal time Sunday, had sex Sunday night, and now just remembered that I didn't take my pill yesterday at noon. I have now taken it. Should I be seeking out Plan B, or is it more for when multiple pills have been missed? I'm otherwise a perfect pill user, and am on Loestrin if that matters. And I'm slightly freaking out, having never missed a pill before in 3 years of use.

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

Deep breaths! It should be okay. For future reference, your pill should come with instructions on what to do when you miss a dose. I'm not sure which version of Loestrin you use, but here's the instructions for Loestrin 24 from drugs.com:

What happens if I miss a dose?

Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.

If you miss one "active" pill, take two pills on the day that you remember. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack.

If you miss two "active" pills in a row in week one or two, take two pills per day for two days in a row. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.

If you miss two "active" pills in a row in week three, or if you miss three pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.

If you miss three "active" pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack on the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.

If you miss two or more pills, you may not have a period during the month. If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your doctor because you might be pregnant.

If you miss any reminder pills, throw them away and keep taking one pill per day until the pack is empty. You do not need back-up birth control if you miss a reminder pill.

If I were in your position, I'd take two pills today at noon and not take Plan B. Remember that Plan B is, essentially, just a big dose of the same hormones that are in the pill. However, if you're really panicked and want peace of mind, taking Plan B won't hurt--beyond, maybe, messing up your cycle and causing spotting. If it helps, remember that birth control works, in part, thanks to cumulative effects (this is why you don't get pregnant if you have sex when you're taking the placebo pills). Good luck!
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 9:23 AM on February 16, 2010

never missed a pill before in 3 years of use.
I am not your doctor or any sort of medical professional, but I took the pill for years.
You're likely fine.
Just make sure you keep taking them on time for the rest of the pack, and use a condom if you have sex again just to be extra "safe". If this happened in the first month of starting the pill it would be a different story.
If you really want to be sure, go to the manufacturer's website and get the contact number.
Here's the website and here's the contact. Read the FAQ and put your mind at ease.
posted by smartypantz at 9:27 AM on February 16, 2010

If I were in your position, I'd take two pills today at noon and not take Plan B.

I think she's already taken the pill she forgot, so she'd just take her normal pill at noon.

But otherwise seconding everything else :)
posted by muddgirl at 9:27 AM on February 16, 2010

I think she's already taken the pill she forgot, so she'd just take her normal pill at noon.

Saw that after I hit post! But I do think it's important that she take two pills today, not just the one missed dose--just to be sure.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 9:29 AM on February 16, 2010

You are A-OK. Sex on!
posted by WeekendJen at 1:45 PM on February 16, 2010