Contraception vs Contraception Eligibility tool

The U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use comprises recommendations for the use of specific contraceptive methods by patients who have certain characteristics or medical conditions. The U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use addresses a select group of common, yet sometimes controversial or complex, issues regarding initiation and use of specific contraceptive methods. The app is developed directly from the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) by the Division of Reproductive Health and covers more than 60 characteristics or medical conditions (U.S. MEC) and numerous clinical situations (U.S. SPR). These recommendations are intended to assist healthcare providers when they counsel women, men, and couples about contraceptive method choice and use. Although these recommendations are meant to serve as a source or clinical guidance, healthcare providers should always consider the individual clinical circumstances of each person seeking family planning services.

This tool provides guidance on how to provide contraception safely and effectively in humanitarian settings including “who” can use the methods as well as “how” to use them. The information is adapted for humanitarian settings from Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, 5th edition (2015) and Selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use: 3rd edition (2016), respectively, two of WHO’s evidence-based guidelines. These documents contain in-depth recommendations about other contraceptive methods, conditions and medically-relevant characteristics that are not included in this tool.