How the missed-pill rules work
The right response to a missed pill depends entirely on which pill you take. NHS guidance sets a different "grace period" for each type, and once you pass it, protection may be lost.
- Combined pill: a single pill up to 24 hours late still counts as on time. Take it as soon as you remember and carry on - no extra protection needed. Miss two or more (more than 24 hours late) and you may not be protected.
- Desogestrel mini-pill: protected within a 12-hour window. Past it, take the pill now and use backup for 2 days.
- Traditional mini-pill: only a 3-hour window. Past it, take the pill now and use backup for 2 days.
Where you are in the pack matters
For the combined pill, the NHS advice changes depending on the week of your pack. If you miss pills in the last week and have fewer than 7 pills left, finish the active pills and start the next pack straight away, skipping the break. If you miss pills in the first week and have had unprotected sex, emergency contraception may be needed. This calculator flags when to look into it, but always confirm with a pharmacist or clinician.
Don't miss the next one
The easiest way to stay protected is to take your pill at the same time every day. Femora's cycle-synced medication reminders nudge you at your usual time and adapt to your routine, so a missed pill becomes far less likely in the first place.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a missed pill?
It depends on the pill. NHS guidance says a combined pill is only 'missed' once it is more than 24 hours late - one pill up to 24 hours late still counts as on time. A desogestrel mini-pill is missed once it is more than 12 hours late, and a traditional progestogen-only mini-pill is missed once it is more than 3 hours late.
Do I need emergency contraception?
Emergency contraception is worth considering if you missed pills at a point where protection may have been lost and you have had unprotected sex in the days around it. The NHS advises emergency contraception especially when combined pills are missed in the first week of a pack. If you are unsure, contact a pharmacist, GP, or sexual health clinic as soon as possible - the sooner emergency contraception is taken, the better it works.
I missed a pill in the last week of my pack - what now?
For combined pills, NHS guidance is that if you miss pills in the last week (fewer than 7 pills left after the missed ones), finish the active pills in your current pack and start the next pack the very next day, skipping the usual 7-day break or the inactive pills. This keeps your hormone levels topped up so protection is not lost during the break.
Does the mini-pill have a shorter window?
Yes. The traditional progestogen-only mini-pill has only a 3-hour window - take it more than 3 hours late and protection may be lost. The newer desogestrel mini-pill has a more forgiving 12-hour window. The NHS treats these differently, which is why this calculator asks which mini-pill you take.
When am I protected again?
After a missed combined pill that broke protection, the NHS advises using condoms or avoiding sex for 7 days while you take pills as normal. After a missed mini-pill, use backup for 2 days. If those backup days run past the end of your current pack, follow the missed-pill rules for skipping the break.
These calculators give estimates based on cycle averages and standard formulas. They are for general information only and are not medical advice. For anything concerning your health or pregnancy, talk to a qualified healthcare provider.