Community-generated resource library-Recommended Actions After Late or Missed Progestin-only Pills

Recommended Actions After Late or Missed Progestin-only Pills

Pdf Summary

This guidance outlines the recommended actions for individuals using progestin-only pills (POPs) who miss or are late taking their pills, focusing on two types: norethindrone or norgestrel POPs, and drospirenone POPs.<br /><br />For norethindrone or norgestrel POPs, if one pill is missed by more than 3 hours:<br />- Take the missed pill as soon as possible.<br />- Continue with the daily schedule, taking one pill at the same time each day, even if it means taking two pills on the same day.<br />- Use barrier methods, like condoms, or abstain from sex until pills are taken correctly for two consecutive days.<br />- Consider emergency contraception (excluding ulipristal acetate/UPA) if unprotected sex occurred.<br /><br />For drospirenone POPs, if a pill is late or missed by 48 hours:<br />- Take the missed pill immediately.<br />- Continue taking the daily pills until the pack is finished.<br />- No additional contraception is necessary for one missed pill.<br /><br />If two or more drospirenone pills are missed consecutively:<br />- Take the last missed pill as soon as possible, and continue daily until the pack is finished, even if some pills remain missed in the pack.<br />- Abstain from intercourse or use barrier protection until seven consecutive days of pills are taken.<br />- Consider emergency contraception if pills were missed during the first week and unprotected sex occurred within the last five days. Emergency contraception, excluding UPA, may be considered at other times depending on circumstances.<br /><br />These recommendations aim to help maintain contraceptive efficacy and outline the conditions under which additional contraceptive measures or emergency contraception should be considered. For detailed guidance, consult the U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use on the CDC website.

Keywords

progestin-only pills

norethindrone

norgestrel

drospirenone

missed pill

emergency contraception

barrier methods

contraceptive efficacy

CDC guidance

U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations