test announcement
See the decision support pathway for missed pills.
Everyday pill regimens
If a woman misses any inactive pills, she should discard the missed inactive pills and then continue taking pills daily, one each day.
If an active pill is missed follow the guidance as for missed pills, above.
| Situation | Timeframe | Additional contraceptive protection required? |
| Extension of patch/ring- free interval |
48 hours or less | No |
| more than 48 hours | Yes, for 7 days. Consider EC if unprotected intercourse in patch/ring-free interval |
|
|
Patch/ring
|
48 hours or less | No, providing there has been consistent and correct use for 7 days prior to removal/detachment |
| more than 48 hours | Yes, for 7 days. Consider EC if patch/ring was detached/removed in week 1 and unprotected intercourse occurred in patch/ring-free interval or week 1 |
|
| Extended use of patch | 9 days or less | No |
| more than 9 days | Yes, for 7 days | |
| Extended use of ring | 4 weeks or less | No (ring-free interval can be taken) |
| more than 4 weeks | Yes. However, if the woman has worn the ring for between 4 and 5 weeks, efficacy could be maintained by starting a new ring immediately without a ring-free interval |
DGRefHelp - NHS Dumfries & Galloway