Contraceptives, like all other medicines, have instructions for correct and regular intake, even in case of a missed dose. However, they are often difficult to understand and require professional advice. But if one is unavailable at the moment and time is an important factor? Hormonal contraception, especially in the form of pills, is one of the most popular methods of combating unwanted pregnancy. These pills must be taken every day, on a strict schedule, to be effective. However, statistics indicate that one in five women forget about at least one appointment a month. However, this need not defeat the entire prevention effort. The first thing to determine is what type of drug is being used, as strategies depend on the type of active substance and its concentration. The active substance can be based on progestin or progesterone or a combination of progesterone plus estrogen. Only in the latter case should you wait until the next day, after which the reception should continue as scheduled. However, if your medicine is of the first type – based on progestin or progesterone, it is necessary to take it as soon as you detect a gap. However, this plan only works if you miss no more than one pill. If you miss more than one, you can continue to take them on the same schedule, but for the next seven to ten days it is necessary to use a condom to reduce the chance of pregnancy due to breaking the prescribed course. If more than one dose is missed after unprotected intercourse, it is recommended to obtain emergency contraception immediately. These medications can be dangerous if taken without a doctor’s consultation, which requires the fastest possible contact with a specialist to recommend the correct product and dosage. The greatest danger lies in the transition to self-medication, because most such products are also based on hormonal compounds, which, in combination with already taken hormonal contraceptives, can cause serious side effects. In rare cases, when two consecutive doses are missed, it is allowed to take two pills at once. However, this is determined by the type of medication and the age of the recipient: only women over 35 can afford it, taking contraceptives with only progestin or progesterone. If the package leaflet of the medication explicitly states not to take larger doses, the recommendation must be followed. NEWS_MORE_BOX The risk of unwanted pregnancy with a forgotten pill is much greater if the incident occurred at the beginning or near the end of the prescribed course, which significantly extends the period without hormonal intervention. If a pill is missed in the middle of the intake, the risk is lower and its normal intake can be continued. For progestin-only medications, it should be known that a delay in taking even just three hours can be enough to make the entire course pointless.