Contraception

Last reviewed: 1 Apr 2025
Last updated: 29 May 2024

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
Full details

Contributors

Authors

Associate Professor

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore

MD

Disclosures

AB has received research support from Merck and Chemo.

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

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.

Director

TEACH Program

Assistant Clinical Professor

UCSF and UCD

San Francisco

CA

Disclosures

SG has served as an Implanon training specialist for Organon Inc.

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.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Curtis KM, Jatlaoui TC, Tepper NK, et al. US selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use, 2016. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2016 Jul 29;65(4):1-66.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

Curtis KM, Tepper NK, Jatlaoui TC, et al; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. US Medical Eligibility Criteria (USMEC) for contraceptive use, 2016. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2016 Jul 29;65(3):1-103.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

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.

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