What is birth control pills?

Birth control pills: What can you do if you skip periods?

It's not unusual for women who are taking hormone pills for birth control to have very light periods or no bleeding at all.

  • If you haven't missed any pills, skip 1 period, yet have no other signs of early pregnancy, it is very unlikely that you are pregnant. Signs of early pregnancy include fatigue, breast tenderness or enlargement, nausea or vomiting, and increased urination. Call your doctor if you are worried. Start your next package of pills at the regular time.
  • If you miss 2 periods in a row, regardless of whether you have missed any pills, take a home pregnancy test. Call your doctor for advice about the test results. If you haven't missed any pills, it's unlikely that you are pregnant. Do not stop taking your pills and risk a pregnancy unless your doctor tells you to stop.
  • If you forget 1 or more pills and you miss a period, take a home pregnancy test as soon as you can. If the test is positive, stop taking your pills. Call your doctor for advice about the test results. If the test is negative, talk to your doctor about what to do about missed or skipped birth control pills.

Remembering to take your birth control pills

Take your birth control pills every day, at about the same time of day. To help yourself remember to take your pills and prevent pregnancy, try these easy tricks.

  • Pick a time to take your pill.

    Link up your "pill time" with something you do every day, like brushing your teeth, eating a meal, or going to bed.

  • Use your calendar.

    Mark the days when you will start new packs. You might even want to cross off each day you take your pill.

  • Check your pack again.

    Each morning, check your pack to be sure you took yesterday's pill. If you find you've missed one, take it right away.

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