Sexual health advice: Missing a pill, teen pregnancy

Sexual health | STI problems | Pregnancy questions | Marie Stopes

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3. If I miss one of the pills in a pack, can I still get pregnant?

It depends which oral contraceptive pill you are taking. If you take the progesterone only pill - sometimes called 'mini pill' - then you have to take one every day within 3 hours of the usual time you take it. If you take this pill outside of your usual 3 hours, you should get emergency contraception because you will be at risk of pregnancy.

If you are taking the combined oral contraceptive pill - containing oestrogen and progesterone - and you miss only one pill in the packet then you don't need to worry. If you've already missed one pill in the packet and you then miss a 2nd you'll be at risk of pregnancy and should get emergency contraception.

4. I've just discovered I'm pregnant and haven't told anyone. I'm worried my mum and dad won't let me keep it. What should I do?

If you're pregnant your parents can't decide for you whether or not you continue with the pregnancy - even if you are under 16 years of age.

Although it may be difficult to tell them you really need to talk to someone about your situation, so that you can think about your options and make decisions. There are a lot of places that offer help and advice for people who get pregnant by accident:

Your doctor - who cannot discuss what you tell them with anyone including your parents
Brook offers young people advice and help on unplanned pregnancy
Your local family planning clinic
A private organisation such as Marie Stopes International
You could also talk to Childline on 0800 1111.

All of the organisations mentioned above will keep everything you tell them confidential and will not pass details on to your parents or anyone else.