Can someone explain how the mini pill works as I keep finding conflicting information on all sorts of forums and can’t seem to find any legitimate sources for the kind of information I’m looking for. **If you do have some sources, please send them my way! The mini pill I’m currently taking has a 3 hour missed window. It’s also effective 48HR after taking doses. It also make people ovulate in 50% of cases. My question is the following; what happened with our protection levels and sperm survival rates of a pill (one) is missed AFTER intercourse by a day or two, three days afterwards. Some say it does not matter too much as it happened after the act and your cervical mucus is thick enough to ward off any sperm while other states it’s still a risk and EC should be used as sperm can live up to 3-5 days. Thanks for your help!

I am not sure where you are reading this information but any reputable healthcare website I’ve looked into never say there is a risk. Always make sure they are backed up by scientific research and if they’re not or unable to source back I wouldn’t rely on that information. The thickening of the mucus makes it so sperm can’t get to “the egg” in the first place, so it doesn’t matter whether you ovulate or not. If you have sex after a missed pill it might mean the thickening of the mucus might have weakened, and allowing the sperm to reach.

@Yi_eune right - I am trying to find sources that explain clearly the risks BEFORE (if there are any at all). It seems website don’t explicitly mention the words “before” as it is always mention the risks after a missed dose and not what happens if you miss a dose r after intercourse. Are we all to assume there is no risk at all? Wouldn’t missing a pill a day or two after intercourse make the lining thin and allow sperm to circulate? Or the effect on the thick lining already acted on all sperms by then.

@Wanderess there won’t be a risk else it would be stated in your pamphlet. Sex before a missed mini pill is safe, I simply follow pamphlets and government health websites for instructions on this. I’m no healthcare professional so I can’t explain the science, you’d probably be better of asking someone qualified if you can’t trust your instructions, but make sure it’s someone that stays up to date with findings and research to back themselves up.

I don't have a source explaining why sex before a missed mini pill is protected but my most trusted source of info on birth control is the NHS website.