Summary
Details
- Initial counseling
- Barrier methods
- Barrier methods: the diaphragm and cervical cap
- Barrier methods: the female condom
- Barrier methods: the male condom
- Barrier methods: spermicide
- Behavioral methods
- Behavioral methods: lactational amenorrhea
- Behavioral methods: periodic abstinence
- Behavioral methods: withdrawal
- Hormonal contraception
- Combined hormonal contraceptives (estrogen/progestogen)
- Contraindications to estrogen-containing contraceptives
- Combined hormonal contraceptives: estrogen/progestogen pills
- Combined hormonal contraceptives: estrogen/progestogen patch
- Combined hormonal contraceptives: estrogen/progestogen vaginal ring
- Progestogen-only contraceptives
- Progestogen-only contraceptives: progestogen-only pill
- Progestogen-only contraceptives: progestogen implant
- Progestogen-only contraceptives: progestogen injection
- Non-hormonal contraception
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Intrauterine devices: copper IUD
- Intrauterine devices: progestogen IUD
- Sterilization
- Sterilization: female sterilization
- Sterilization: male sterilization
- Non-contraceptive benefits of hormonal contraceptives
- Emergency contraception
- Emergency contraception: progestogen-only emergency contraception
- Emergency contraception: ulipristal
- Emergency contraception: copper IUD
- Emergency contraception: estrogen/progestogen emergency contraception
- Guidelines
Contributors
Authors
Anne Burke, MD, MPH
Associate Professor
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore
MD
Disclosures
AB has received research support from Merck and Chemo.
Acknowledgements
Dr Anne Burke would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Ruth Lesnewski, a previous contributor to this topic.
Disclosures
RL declares that she has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Larry Leeman, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Family Medicine Department
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque
NM
Disclosures
LL declares that he has no competing interests.
Suzan Goodman, MD, MPH
Director
TEACH Program
Assistant Clinical Professor
UCSF and UCD
San Francisco
CA
Disclosures
SG has served as an Implanon training specialist for Organon Inc.
Lesley Bacon, FFSRH, MRCGP
Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health
Lewisham Primary Care Trust
Waldron Health Centre
London
UK
Disclosures
LB was a member of the group that produced the 2006 Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health guidance on the management of women with vaginal discharge presenting in a non-genitourinary settings.
Peer reviewer acknowledgements
BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.
Disclosures
Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.
References
Key articles
Curtis KM, Nguyen AT, Tepper NK, et al. U.S. selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use, 2024. MMWR Recomm Rep 2024;73(3):1-77.Full text Abstract
The Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for contraceptive use (UKMEC). Sep 2019 [internet publication].Full text
World Health Organization. Medical Eligibility Criteria for contraceptive use (MEC). Fifth edition. Aug 2015 [internet publication].Full text Abstract
Nguyen AT, Curtis KM, Tepper NK, et al. U.S. medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, 2024. MMWR Recomm Rep 2024;73(4):1-126.Full text Abstract
Stewart FH, Harper CC, Ellertson CE, et al. Clinical breast and pelvic examination requirements for hormonal contraception: Current practice vs evidence. JAMA. 2001 May 2;285(17):2232-9. Abstract
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice bulletin no. 186 summary: long-acting reversible contraception: implants and intrauterine devices. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Nov;130(5):1173-5. Abstract
Reference articles
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