If you miss a birth control pill, what you should do depends on the type of pill you are taking and how many pills you have missed. Here are some general guidelines based on the search results:

Combined Pill:

• If you miss one pill anywhere in the pack or start a new pack one day late, youre still protected against pregnancy. Take the last pill you missed now, even if this means taking two pills in one day, and carry on taking the rest of the pack as normal.

• If youve missed 2 to 7 pills in the first week of a pack, or youve started a new pack 2 or more days late, you may need emergency contraception if youve had unprotected sex. Take the last pill you missed, even if that means taking 2 in a day, and leave any earlier missed pills. Use extra contraception, such as condoms, for the next 7 days.

• If youve missed 8 or more pills straight after each other, you will not be protected against pregnancy. If you have had unprotected sex, you may need to do a pregnancy test or take emergency contraception. Contact a sexual health clinic, doctor, nurse, or pharmacist urgently.

Progestogen-only Pill:

• If youre less than 3 hours late taking your pill (or less than 12 hours late for a desogestrel pill), youre still protected against pregnancy. Take the missed pill as soon as you remember and take the next pill at the usual time. You do not need to use extra contraception.

• If youre more than 3 hours late taking your pill (or more than 12 hours late for a desogestrel pill), take the missed pill as soon as you remember and take the next pill at the usual time. This may mean taking 2 pills on the same day. Carry on taking your remaining pills each day at the usual time and use extra contraception, such as condoms, for the next two days (48 hours) after you remember to take your missed pill, or do not have sex. If you have unprotected sex during the two days after you miss your pill, you may need emergency contraception.

Its important to note that these are general guidelines and the specific instructions for what to do if you miss a pill may vary depending on the brand of pill you are taking. Always check the information leaflet that comes with your contraceptive pills for specific instructions. If youre not sure what to do, continue to take your pill, use another method of contraception, such as condoms, and get advice as soon as possible from a healthcare provider.