Women's Health Matters: CDC Contraception Guidance: U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (US MEC) and U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (US SPR)-Handout: CDC Contraception Guidance: U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (US MEC) and U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (US SPR)

Handout: CDC Contraception Guidance: U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (US MEC) and U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (US SPR)

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Pdf Summary

The 2024 U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (U.S. MEC), updated by CDC and published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, offers evidence-based recommendations for healthcare providers on the safe use of various contraceptive methods tailored to individuals with specific medical conditions or characteristics. This comprehensive guidance replaces the 2016 edition and incorporates notable updates including new recommendations for persons with chronic kidney disease, revisions for conditions such as breastfeeding, postpartum status, obesity, thrombosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, sickle cell disease, and drug interactions with antiretrovirals, as well as inclusion of new contraceptive formulations like combined oral contraceptives, patches, vaginal rings, progestin-only pills, levonorgestrel IUDs, and vaginal pH modulators.<br /><br />The U.S. MEC aims to remove unnecessary medical barriers, supporting noncoercive, person-centered contraceptive counseling and service provision. It emphasizes respect for reproductive autonomy, acknowledging historical and ongoing reproductive coercion particularly in marginalized groups. Healthcare providers are urged to consider each individual’s clinical and social context, preferences, and reproductive goals while using the MEC classification system (categories 1–4) to assess method eligibility, where category 1 indicates no restrictions and category 4 indicates unacceptable health risk.<br /><br />Recommendations address initiation and continuation of numerous contraceptive methods, including intrauterine devices, hormonal methods, barrier methods, fertility awareness, permanent contraception, and emergency contraception. Importantly, the guidance advises counseling on condom use to prevent sexually transmitted infections and stresses the role of shared decision-making reflecting patient values.<br /><br />The update process involved systematic literature reviews, expert consultations, public input, and patient advocacy perspectives to ensure inclusive, current, and practical guidance. CDC will continue monitoring new evidence and periodically update recommendations.<br /><br />In summary, the 2024 U.S. MEC provides up-to-date, nuanced guidance to healthcare providers to promote safe, equitable, and autonomous contraceptive choices tailored to diverse health conditions and personal circumstances.

Keywords

2024 U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria

contraceptive use guidelines

CDC contraceptive recommendations

medical eligibility for contraception

contraception and chronic kidney disease

reproductive autonomy

contraceptive method eligibility categories

contraceptive counseling

updated contraceptive formulations

shared decision-making in contraception