What should you know about unprotected sex on the pill?

The combined pill uses hormones such as [Ethinylestradiol] and [Levonorgestrel] to prevent ovulation and alter cervical mucus. Protection can be reduced when pills are missed or started late, when vomiting or severe diarrhoea prevents absorption, or when certain medicines affect the pill. The instructions differ between brands and between one missed pill and several missed pills. The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Changes in bleeding can also happen and do not by themselves prove pregnancy.

Check the packet instructions and record which pills were missed, when they were missed, and whether illness or a new medicine was involved. Take the next pill as directed rather than doubling doses unless the product instructions say to do so. Speak promptly with a pharmacist or clinician about emergency contraception if pills were missed around the hormone-free interval or protection is uncertain. Use condoms until you know protection has returned. A pregnancy test can help if the next expected bleed does not occur or pregnancy symptoms develop. The [Combined Pill] page explains routine use.

Get urgent help for severe one-sided lower abdominal pain, fainting, shoulder-tip pain, or heavy bleeding after a possible pregnancy. Arrange medical advice for a positive pregnancy test, repeated vomiting, or concerns about a medicine interaction. Seek sexual-health care after sex without a condom if infection exposure is possible, because the pill does not cover that risk.

Ask whether emergency contraception is appropriate, when to use condoms, when to test for pregnancy, and whether another contraceptive method would suit your routine.