Emergency help
- Could I have an STI?
Sexually transmitted infection - I think I might be Pregnant
Pregnant - I've had sex without a condom
Unprotected sex - I've been pushed into sex
Unwanted sex
I forgot to take my pill
Does the pill always work?
If you take it correctly, the pill is 99% effective.
However, certain things can stop the pill working properly, so always read the leaflet inside the packet.
Medicine
Some medicines like antibiotics, and some vitamins, can stop the pill working properly. Always ask your doctor or chemist to give you advice. If your pill is affected, use condoms while you are on the medication and for seven days after.
If you finish a packet while you are on medication, go straight onto the next one without a break.
Being sick
If you throw up (vomit) within three hours of taking your pill, it might not work properly so you'll need to use condoms as well. Carry on taking your pill as normal but ALSO use condoms for seven days.
Having the runs
If you have diarrhoea carry on taking your pill but ALSO use condoms while you're unwell and for seven days afterwards.
Forgetting to take your Combined pill
If you've forgotten to take your combined pill, the first thing to do is ask yourself how long is it since you took the last one:
Less than 12 hours late
There's no need to worry. Take the pill you missed straight away and then take your next pill as normal.
More than 12 hours late
Take the pill you forgot straight away and then take your next pill when you normally would (even if this means you end up taking two at the same time).
You will also need to use condoms for the next seven days to be protected.
If you have less than seven pills left in your current packet, finish taking them but go straight onto the next packet without taking the seven day break in the middle.
If you take the kind of pills that don't have a seven day break (Everyday Pill), make sure there are more than seven 'active' pills in your packet. If not, miss out the 'inactive' pills (the larger ones) and start the next pack straight away.
If you are using the Mini pill
(progesterone-only pill/POP):
Less than three hours late
There's no need to worry. Take the pill you missed straight away and then take your next pill as normal.
More than three hours late
Take the pill you forgot straight away and then take your next pill when you normally would (even if this means you end up taking two at the same time).
You will also need to use condoms for the next seven days to be protected.
