When you forget to take Cycle 21, the contraceptive effect of the pill may be reduced, especially when more than one pill is forgotten, or when the delay in taking the drug exceeds 12 hours, with the risk of becoming pregnant.
Therefore, it is important to use another contraceptive method within 7 days of forgetting, such as a condom, to prevent the occurrence of a pregnancy.
An alternative for those who often forget to take the pill is to switch to another method that does not require daily use. Learn how to choose the best contraceptive method.
Oblivion for up to 12 hours
In any week, if the delay is up to 12 hours from the usual time, the forgotten tablet should be taken as soon as the person remembers and takes the following tablets at the usual time.
In these cases, the contraceptive effect of the pill is maintained and there is no risk of getting pregnant.
Forgetfulness for more than 12 hours
If the forgetfulness is greater than 12 hours of the usual time, the contraceptive protection of Cycle 21 may be reduced and, therefore, it is due to:
- Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if you have to take two pills on the same day;
- Take the following tablets at the usual time;
- Use another contraceptive method as a condom for the next 7 days;
- Start new card as soon as you finish the current one, without there being any pause between one card and another, only if forgetting occurs in the third week of the card.
When there is no pause between one carton and another, menstruation should only occur at the end of the second carton, but minor bleeding may occur on days when you are taking the tablets. If no menstruation occurs at the end of the second card, a pregnancy test should be performed before the next card is started.
Forgetfulness of more than 1 tablet
If more than one tablet in the same carton is forgotten, the doctor should be consulted because the more tablets in a row are forgotten, the shorter the contraceptive effect of Cycle 21.
In these cases, if there is no menstruation in the 7-day interval between one card and another, the doctor should be consulted before starting a new card because the woman may be pregnant.
