The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently adapted global guidance on contraceptive use from the World Health Organization (WHO) to create the United States Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (MEC). This guidance includes recommendations for use of specific contraceptive methods by people with certain characteristics or medical conditions.CDC determined the need and scope for the adaptation, conducted 12 systematic reviews of the scientific evidence and convened a meeting of health professionals to discuss recommendations based on the evidence.The vast majority of the US guidance is the same as the WHO guidance and addresses over 160 characteristics or medical conditions. Modifications were made to WHO recommendations for six medical conditions, and recommendations were developed for six new medical conditions.The US MEC is intended to serve as a source of clinical guidance for providers as they counsel clients about contraceptive method choices.
New recommendations on the safety of contraceptive methods for women with medical conditions: World Health Organization’s Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, fourth edition Mary E Gaffield, PhD Kelly R Culwell, MD, MPH Background The World Health Organization (WHO) publication, Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (MEC), provides evidence-based recommendations on whether a contraceptive method can be safely used according to more than 80 medical conditions and characteristics. The guideline is intended to be a reference during the preparation of national family planning/sexual and reproductive health programmes for delivery of contraceptives. Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use was first published in 1996; subsequently in 2000 and 2004. A WHO expert Working Group reviewed in April 2008 the new evidence in the third edition and developed 251 new recommendations for the fourth edition, including recommendations for an additional medical condition, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 12 new sub-conditions to existing medical conditions. This article highlights the updated recommendations, and describes the development of the new guidance.
