What if I miss a Pill?

Try not to! Of course people do inevitably miss Pills; it’s only human nature.

If you miss only one Pill, you’ll probably be OK; take it as soon as you remember – and then take the next one on time (even if that means you’re taking the two of them at the same time).

If you want to be super-careful, you could avoid sex for the next seven days – or take extra precautions.

However, if you’re more than 12 hours late in taking the Pill, avoid sex for the next seven days – or take extra precautions.

But missing more than one Pill is quite risky – particularly near the beginning or end of a packet. To avoid pregnancy, follow the advice on the pack leaflet strictly.

To be frank, the ‘missed Pill advice’ in these leaflets is pretty complicated – and keeps being changed! If you’re in doubt:

ring one of the Family Planning centres listed at the end of this article for personal advice

consider using emergency contractprion (the morning-after Pill)

do not have sex until you’re sure you’re fully protected.

03/09/2010 06:17 PM

'No proof' IVF aided by acupuncture

There is no evidence acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine boost the chance of IVF success, fertility experts warn.

03/09/2010 06:04 PM

'Problem kids' risk future pain

Children with behavioural problems are twice as likely to suffer chronic pain as adults than others, say researchers.

03/09/2010 05:36 AM

US school soda deal 'cuts sugar'

The US soft drinks industry says it has dramatically cut full-calorie beverages available in schools as part of a drive to tackle obesity.

03/07/2010 06:59 PM

Action urged on pregnancy deaths

Pregnant women in developing countries face the same risk of death as women in the UK did 100 years ago, say campaigners.

03/08/2010 02:37 PM

Obama continues healthcare attack

US President Barack Obama attacks insurers for raising rates as he continues his push for healthcare reform.

03/09/2010 10:21 AM

UK gives SA millions of condoms

The UK donates £1m ($1.5m) to South Africa to buy 42m condoms, as the nation builds up to the football World Cup.

03/06/2010 08:27 AM

Surgery on Mubarak 'successful'

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak undergoes successful surgery at a German clinic for an inflamed gall bladder, state media say.

03/07/2010 06:19 PM

Premature brain 'wash out' hope

A technique that "washes out" the brains of severely ill premature babies may aid survival, a study suggests.

03/06/2010 04:48 AM

Africa in bid to wipe out polio

A campaign is launched to eradicate polio in west and central Africa, targeting 85 million children.

03/08/2010 06:06 PM

'London bomb stress' recognised

Psychologists say they have treated hundreds of survivors of the 2005 London bombings for post-traumatic stress disorder.