I forgot to take cerazette (desogestrel), what to do?
Oops, you just found out that you forgot to take the pill for 1 or multiple days, or that the last stop week didn’t last 7 but 8 days… Trust us, you’re not the only one. But now what? We, at Cycle, get these types of questions a lot. We decided to make an overview of the most common situations and what to do next.
Your course of actions depends on several factors
How many pills did you miss? (You missed a pill if 24 hours have passed after you should’ve originally taken the pill)
When did you miss the pill? (At what point in the strip)
What type of pill are you taking?
If you take a combination pill such as, Microgynon, Zoely, Lovette, Yaz, and Yasmin, then you can find our advice here.
You took the Cerazette less than 12 hours late
You are still protected against pregnancy if you are less than 12 hours late in taking the pill.
What to do:
Take the missed pill as soon as possible.
Take the next pill at the usual time.
You don’t need to use extra contraceptives.
If you had any unprotected sex, it’s not necessary to take a morning after pill.
More than 12 hours late?
You are not protected against pregnancy if you are more than 12 hours late in taking the pill.
What to do:
Take the pill as soon as you remember to do so. Take just 1, even if you have missed several pills.
Take the next pill at the usual time, it can happen that you have to take 2 pills in one day.
Finish the strip as you usually would.
Use an extra contraceptive, such as a condom, for the next seven days (seven days after you discovered you missed the pill) or skip sex a couple of days.
Looking for a comfortable ultra-thin condom with a nice fragrance? Look no further than our Yes.
If you forgot one or more pills during the first week of the strip and you had sex in the seven days prior, there is a chance of pregnancy. You may need an emergency remedy such as a morning after pill or a copper IUD. Get advice from your GP as soon as possible.
Is the pill safe if you have diarrhea or if you have vomited?
If you vomit and/or suffer from severe diarrhea within 4 hours of taking the pill, you may not be properly protected against pregnancy, because the pill is not given enough time to work properly. It is wise to regard the pill as a ‘forgotten pill’ if this is the case.
Tips to prevent forgotten pills:
Take one with something you do at the same time every day. For example, in the morning while brushing your teeth. This is especially important for the mini pill!
Don’t put the strip away, but leave it somewhere in sight. On your nightstand, in your bathroom cabinet, next to your toothbrush… etc.
If you are traveling or staying somewhere else, put an extra strip in your make-up bag or handbag.
Make a reminder in your phone that sends you a reminder every day!
We’ve all been there, the realization that we’ve forgotten the pill. We are with you! But do you forget the pill quite often? Maybe the pill isn’t the best solution for you. You can consider an IUD or stick with the good old condom. Click here for a list with all options, and their pros-and-cons.
