This document is part of the process for improving the quality of care in family planning. Specifically, it is one of two evidence-based cornerstones (guidance documents) of the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) initiative to develop and implement family planning guidelines for national programmes. The first cornerstone, the Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (MEC, now in its fifth edition), provides thorough information and guidance on the safety of various contraceptive methods for use in the context of specific health conditions and characteristics. This document, Selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use, third edition (SPR third edition), is the second cornerstone; it provides guidance for how to use contraceptive methods safely and effectively once they are deemed to be medically appropriate. For recommendations issued in the SPR, safety considerations include common barriers to safe, correct and consistent use of contraception and the benefits of preventing unintended or unwanted pregnancy.

Contents

• Acknowledgements
• Acronyms and abbreviations
• Executive summary
• 1. Background
  • 1.1. Reproductive and sexual health care as a human right
  • 1.2. Contraceptive choice
  • 1.3. Effectiveness of methods
  • 1.4. Return to fertility
  • 1.5. Sexually transmitted infections and contraception: dual protection
• 2. Methods
• 3. How to use this document
  • 3.1. Classification of examinations and tests before initiation of contraceptive methods
  • 3.2. Contraceptive eligibility
• 4. Programmatic implications
  • 4.1. Introducing guidelines into national programmes
• 5. Clients with special needs
  • 5.1. People with disabilities
  • 5.2. Adolescents
  • References for sections 1–5
• 6. Summary of changes within the Selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use, third edition
• 7. Recommendations
  • 7.1. How can a health-care provider be reasonably certain that a woman is not pregnant?
  • 7.2. Intrauterine devices
  • 7.3. Progestogen-only contraceptives
  • 7.4. Combined hormonal contraceptives
  • 7.5. Emergency contraception
  • 7.6. Standard Days Method^®
  • 7.7. Male sterilization
• Web annex. Development of updated guidance for the third edition

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