Updated Recommendations for Contraception Use

CDC periodically revises its contraceptive guidance for health care providers after review of the scientific evidence and consultation with national experts. These recommendations are intended to assist health care providers when they counsel women, men, and couples about contraceptive method choice and provide evidence-based guidance to reduce medical barriers to contraception access and use.

U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2016 (U.S. MEC)

The U.S. MEC includes evidence-based recommendations for using specific contraceptive methods by women and men who have certain characteristics or medical conditions. The 2016 U.S. MEC updates the previous 2010 U.S. MEC with new guidance including:

New recommendations for women with cystic fibrosis, women with multiple sclerosis, and women using certain psychotropic drugs or St. John’s wort.
Revisions to the recommendations for emergency contraception, including the addition of ulipristal acetate.
Revisions to the recommendations for postpartum women; women who are breastfeeding; women with known dyslipidemias, migraine headaches, superficial venous disease, gestational trophoblastic disease, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); and women using antiretroviral therapy.

U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2016 (U.S. SPR)

The U.S. SPR provides evidence-based recommendations for common, but sometimes complex, questions regarding initiation and use of specific contraceptive methods. The 2016 U.S. SPR updates the previous 2013 U.S. SPR with new guidance including:

New recommendations for the use of medications to ease insertion of intrauterine devices and
Revised recommendations for starting regular contraception after the use of emergency contraceptive pills.

Updated guidance documents, provider tools, and other electronic resources are available: