Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use Fifth edition 2015 Executive summary Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (MEC). Improving the quality of care in family planning.
Executive summary
During 9–12 March 2014 and 24–25 September 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened two meetings of a Guideline Development Group (GDG), consisting of 68 individuals representing a wide range of stakeholders for the purpose of reviewing and, where appropriate, revising its Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, fourth edition (MEC) guidance. Fourteen topics (encompassing over 575 recommendations) were reviewed by the GDG as part of the revision. All other existing recommendations within the fourth edition were confirmed by the GDG and did not undergo formal review for the updated fifth edition of the MEC. Recommendations are provided for: Combined hormonal contraceptive use (CHC) by age group CHC use among breastfeeding women CHC use among postpartum women CHC use among women with superficial venous disorders CHC use among women with known dyslipidaemias without other known cardiovascular risk factors Progestogen-only contraceptive (POC) and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) use among breastfeeding women
Use of subcutaneously-administered depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) as a new method added to the guideline Sino-Implant (II) as a new method added to the guideline Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) – Ulipristal acetate (UPA) as a new method added to the guideline; use of CYP3A4 inducers and obesity as new conditions for ECP use Intrauterine device (IUD) use for women with increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Use of progesterone-releasing vaginal ring as a new method added to the guideline Hormonal contraception for women at high risk of HIV infection, women living with HIV, and women living with HIV using antiretroviral therapy (ART)
In addition to the recommendations themselves, the executive summary provides an introduction to the guideline, a description of the methods used to develop the recommendations for this fifth edition, and a summary of changes (from the fourth edition to the fifth edition of the MEC). It is anticipated that the Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, fifth edition will be available online by 1 July 2015. In the interim, the fourth edition of the guideline, along with this summary of new recommendations, is available online at www.who.int/reproductivehealth/ publications/family_planning
Photo: WHO
Acronyms and abbreviations ART ARV ß-hCG BF BMD BMI C CD4 CDC CHC CI CIC CIRE COC CRPD Cu-IUD CVR CYP3A4 DMPA DMPA-IM DMPA-SC DVT ECP EE E-IUD EMA ETG FAB FDA GDG GRADE GRC GSG HbA1c HDL I ICPD IM antiretroviral therapy antiretroviral (medication) beta-human chorionic gonadotropin breastfeeding bone mineral density body mass index continuation cluster of differentiation 4 United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention combined hormonal contraception coitus interruptus combined injectable contraceptive Continuous Identification of Research Evidence combined oral contraceptive (pill) United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities copper-bearing intrauterine device combined contraceptive vaginal ring cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme depot medroxyprogesterone acetate depot medroxyprogesterone acetate – intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate – subcutaneous deep vein thrombosis emergency contraceptive pill ethinyl estradiol emergency intrauterine device European Medicines Agency etonogestrel fertility awareness-based methods United States Food and Drug Administration Guideline Development Group Grading Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation Guidelines Review Committee Guideline Steering Group glycated haemoglobin high-density lipoprotein initiation International Conference on Population and Development intramuscular IUD LAM LDL LNG LNG-IUD MEC MI NA NET-EN NIH NNRTI NRTI OC P PE PI PID PICO POC POI POP PRISMA PVR RCT SC SI (I)/SI (II) SLE SPR STER STI SVT UN UNDP UNFPA UNICEF UPA USAID VTE WHO intrauterine device lactational amenorrhoea method low-density lipoprotein levonorgestrel levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (WHO publication) myocardial infarction not applicable norethisterone enanthate National Institutes of Health (United States of America) non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor oral contraceptive (pill) combined contraceptive patch pulmonary embolism protease inhibitor pelvic inflammatory disease population, intervention, comparator, outcome progestogen-only contraceptive progestogen-only injectable progestogen-only pill Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses progesterone-releasing vaginal ring randomized controlled trial subcutaneous Sino-implant (I) / Sino-implant (II) systemic lupus erythematosus Selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use (WHO publication) sterilization (male and female) sexually transmitted infection superficial venous thrombosis United Nations United Nations Development Programme United Nations Population Fund United Nations Children’s Fund ulipristal acetate United States Agency for International Development venous thromboembolism World Health Organization
ii
Introduction This document is part of the process for improving the quality of care in family planning. Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (MEC), the first edition of which was published in 1996, presents current World Health Organization (WHO) guidance on the safety of various contraceptive methods for use in the context of specific health conditions and characteristics. This is the fifth edition of the MEC – the latest in the series of periodic updates. In the MEC, the safety of each contraceptive method is determined by several considerations in the context of the medical condition or medically relevant characterstics; primarily, whether the contraceptive method worsens the medical condition or creates additional health risks, and secondarily, whether the medical circumstance makes the contraceptive method less effective. The safety of the method should be weighed along with the benefits of preventing unintended pregnancy. This document covers the following family planning methods: low-dose (≤ 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol) combined1 oral contraceptives (COCs), combined patch (P), combined vaginal ring (CVR), combined injectable contraceptives (CICs), progestogenonly pills (POPs), depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), norethisterone enanthate (NETEN), levonorgestrel (LNG) and etonogestrel (ETG) implants, emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), copper-bearing intrauterine devices (Cu-IUDs), levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs (LNG-IUDs), copper-IUD for emergency contraception (E-IUD), progesteronereleasing vaginal ring (PVR), barrier methods (BARR), fertility awareness-based methods (FAB), lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM), coitus interruptus (CI), and female and male sterilization (STER). For each medical condition or medically relevant characteristic, contraceptive methods are placed into one of four numbered categories. Depending upon the individual, more than one condition may need to be considered together to determine contraceptive eligibility. These conditions and characteristics include, among others: age, weeks/ months postpartum, breastfeeding status, venous thromboembolism, superficial venous disorders, dyslipidaemias, puerperal sepsis, past ectopic pregnancy, history of severe cardiovascular disease, migraines, severe liver disease, use of CYP3A4 inducer, repeat use of ECPs, rape, obesity, increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, high risk of HIV infection, living with HIV, use of antiretroviral therapy.
MEC categories for contraceptive eligibility 1 A condition for which there is no restriction for the use of the contraceptive method A condition where the advantages of using the method generally outweigh the theoretical or proven risks A condition where the theoretical or proven risks usually outweigh the advantages of using the method A condition which represents an unacceptable health risk if the contraceptive method is used.
2
3
4
Target audience The intended audience for this publication includes policy-makers, family planning programme managers and the scientific community. The MEC aims to provide guidance to national family planning and reproductive health programmes in the preparation of guidelines for delivery of contraceptive services. It is not meant to serve as the actual guidelines but rather as a reference. The guidance in this document is intended for interpretation at country and programme levels, in a manner that reflects the diversity of situations and settings in which contraceptives are provided. While it is unlikely that the classification of categories in this document would change during this process, it is very likely that the application of these categories at country level will vary. In particular, the level of clinical knowledge and experience of various types of providers and the resources available at the service delivery point will have to be taken into consideration.
1 “Combined” refers to a combination of ethinyl estradiol and a progestogen.
iii
Guideline development methods The Guideline Development Group (GDG), convened by WHO on 14–15 May 2013, 9–12 March 2014 and 24–25 September 2014, consisted of 68 individuals representing a wide range of stakeholders. Their mandate was to review and, where appropriate, revise the guidance in the fourth edition of the MEC to develop the fifth edition. For this revision process, the GDG prioritized the review of: (a) six topics identified as important to the field and/or those topics with new evidence that may warrant a change in the existing recommendation; (b) two topics for which interim guidance was issued following the publication of the fourth edition; (c) contraceptive eligibility recommendations for the inclusion of four new contraceptive methods in the fifth edition; and (d) two topics to provide greater clarity for the recommendations in the fourth edition relating to these topics, at the request of the Guidelines Review Committee. Therefore, recommendations for a total of 14 topics were reviewed for the fifth edition of the MEC. The GDG considered the overall quality of the available scientific evidence, paying particular attention to the strength and consistency of the data, according to the Grading Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to evidence review.2 To formulate recommendations using the four MEC categories for contraceptive eligibility, the GDG considered potential harms related to contraceptive use, the GRADE evidence profiles, the benefits of preventing unintended pregnancy, and applied an approach towards values and preferences that prioritized the availability of a wide range of contraceptive options. The GDG reached its decisions through consensus, which entailed discussion, debate and consultation with experts to reconcile any disagreements. For certain recommendations, the GDG added clarification statements to provide further explanation or guidance on interpretation of the numerical classification. For each contraceptive method, the GDG considered the potential benefits and risks of its use with respect to each of the medical conditions or medically relevant physiologic
or personal characteristics assessed (such as age, breastfeeding, smoking status). Updated evidence. In many instances, either no new evidence has been identified since the publication of the fourth edition of the MEC (2009), or evidence emerging since that publication confirms previous research findings. Therefore, in many cases the recommendations that were published in the fourth edition have been reviewed and confirmed by the GDG with no changes made. For such recommendations that remained unchanged, the WHO Secretariat updated the evidence statements, references and citations that appear in the contraceptive method tables in in the full guideline document. WHO will initiate a review of the recommendations in this document in four years. In the interim, WHO will continue to monitor the body of evidence informing these recommendations and will convene additional consultations, as needed, should new evidence necessitate reconsideration of existing recommendations. Such updates may be particularly warranted for issues where the evidence base may change rapidly. These interim recommendations will be made available on the WHO’s web pages for sexual and reproductive health. WHO encourages research to address key unresolved issues related to establishing medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use. WHO also invites comments and suggestions for improving this guidance.
Summary of reviewed recommendations Fourteen topics (encompassing over 575 recommendations) were reviewed by the GDG during the 2014 revision of the MEC . The GRADE approach was applied to assess the quality of the available evidence, and this provided the basis for the formulation of recommendations (see central column). For some topics, multiple outcomes of interest and/or contraceptive methods were examined. For these topics, GRADE assessments of the quality of evidence are presented, either a single assessment or a range. An explanation of the process followed to select and prioritize these topics is included in the full document. All other recommendations were confirmed by the GDG and did not undergo formal review for the updated fifth edition of the MEC. A summary of the changes between the fourth and fifth editions of this document follows .
2 Further information is available at the website of the GRADE working group: http://www.gradeworkinggroup. org/index.htm
iv
Topics reviewed for the Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (MEC), fifth edition Topic MEC recommendation GRADE assessment of quality of evidencea
1. Recommendations for combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) use by age group (CHCs include combined oral contraceptives, combined injectable contraceptives, combined patch and combined vaginal ring) < 40 years ≥ 40 years Women from menarche through 40 years of age can use CHCs without restriction (MEC Category 1). Range: Low to very low Women 40 years and older can generally use CHCs (MEC Category 2).
2. Recommendations for CHC use among breastfeeding women < 6 weeks postpartum ≥ 6 weeks to <6 months postpartum ≥ 6 months postpartum Breastfeeding women < 6 weeks postpartum should not use CHCs (MEC Category 4). Breastfeeding women ≥ 6 weeks to < 6 months postpartum (primarily breastfeeding) generally should not use CHCs (MEC Category 3). Breastfeeding women ≥ 6 months postpartum can generally use CHCs (MEC Category 2). Range: Low to very low
3. Recommendations for CHC use among postpartum women < 21 days postpartum without other risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) < 21 days postpartum with other risk factors for VTE ≥ 21 days to 42 days postpartum without other risk factors for VTE ≥ 21 days to 42 days postpartum with other risk factors for VTE > 42 days postpartum Women who are < 21 days postpartum and do not have other risk factors for VTE generally should not use CHCs (MEC Category 3).
Women who are < 21 days postpartum with other risk factors for VTE should not use CHCs (MEC Category 4). Women who are ≥ 21 days to 42 days postpartum without other risk factors for VTE can generally use CHCs (MEC Category 2). Women who are ≥ 21 days to 42 days postpartum with other risk factors for VTE generally should not use CHCs (MEC Category 3). Women who are > 42 days postpartum can use CHCs without restriction (MEC Category 1). Range: Low to very low
4. Recommendations for CHC use among women with superficial venous disorders Varicose veins Women with varicose veins can use CHCs without restriction (MEC Category 1). Very low Superficial venous thrombosis Women with SVT can generally use CHCs (MEC Category 2). (SVT)
v
Topic
MEC recommendation
GRADE assessment of quality of evidencea
5. Recommendations for CHC use among women with known dyslipidaemias Known dyslipidaemias without other known cardiovascular risk factors Women with known dyslipidaemias without other known cardiovascular risk factors can generally use CHCs (MEC Category 2). Very low; reviewed for clarity as requested by the GRC
6. Recommendations for progestogen-only contraceptive (POC) and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNGIUD) use among breastfeeding women 6a. POC use among breastfeeding women (POCs include progestogen-only pills, implants and injectables) < 6 weeks postpartum Breastfeeding women who are < 6 weeks postpartum can generally use progestogen-only pills (POPs) and levonorgestrel (LNG) and etonogestrel (ETG) implants (MEC Category 2). Breastfeeding women who are < 6 weeks postpartum generally should not use progestogen-only injectables (POIs) (DMPA or NET-EN) (MEC Category 3). ≥ 6 weeks to < 6 months postpartum ≥ 6 months postpartum Breastfeeding women who are ≥ 6 weeks to < 6 months postpartum can use POPs, POIs, and LNG and ETG implants without restriction (MEC Category 1). Breastfeeding women who are ≥ 6 months postpartum can use POPs, POIs, and LNG and ETG implants without restriction (MEC Category 1). Range: Low to very low
6b. LNG-IUD use among breastfeeding women < 48 hours postpartum ≥ 48 hours to < 4 weeks postpartum ≥ 4 weeks postpartum Breastfeeding women who are < 48 hours postpartum can generally use LNG-IUDs (MEC Category 2). Breastfeeding women who are ≥ 48 hours to < 4 weeks postpartum generally should not have an LNG-IUD inserted (MEC Category 3). Breastfeeding women who are ≥ 4 weeks postpartum can use an LNG-IUD without restriction (MEC Category 1). Very low
Puerperal sepsis
Breastfeeding (and non-breastfeeding) women with puerperal sepsis should not have an LNG-IUD inserted (MEC Category 4).
7. Recommendations for use of subcutaneously-administered depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) – new method added to the guideline All recommendations Recommendations for DMPA-SC will follow the current recommendations for DMPA-IM (intramuscular). Very low
vi
Topic
MEC recommendation
GRADE assessment of quality of evidencea
8. Recommendations for Sino-implant (II) – new method added to the guideline All recommendations Recommendations for Sino-implant (II) will follow the current recommendations for LNG implants. Range: Moderate to very low
9. Recommendations for emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) – ulipristal acetate (UPA) as a new method added to the guideline; use of CYP3A4 inducers and obesity as new conditions for ECP use Pregnancy Breastfeeding For pregnant women, ECP use is not applicable. Breastfeeding women can use combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs) or LNG for ECPs without restriction (MEC Category 1). Women who are breastfeeding can generally use UPA for ECPs (MEC Category 2). Past ectopic pregnancies History of severe cardiovascular disease Women who have experienced past ectopic pregnancies can use COCs, LNG or UPA for ECPs without restriction (MEC Category 1). Women with history of severe cardiovascular disease, including ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular attack or other thromboembolic conditions, can generally use COCs, LNG or UPA for ECPs (MEC Category 2). Women with migraines can generally use COCs, LNG or UPA for ECPs (MEC Category 2). Women with severe liver disease, including jaundice (a personal characteristic and sign of liver disease prior to diagnosis), can generally use COCs, LNG or UPA for ECPs (MEC Category 2). Women using CYP3A4 inducers can use COCs, LNG or UPA for ECPs without restriction (MEC Category 1). There are no restrictions on repeated use for COCs, LNG or UPA for ECPs (MEC Category 1). There are no restrictions for use of COCs, LNG or UPA for ECPs in cases of rape (MEC Category 1). Women who are obese can use COCs, LNG or UPA for ECPs without restriction (MEC Category 1). Moderate Very low
Migraines Severe liver disease
Use of CYP3A4 inducer Repeat use of ECP Rape Obesity
10. Intrauterine device (IUD) use for women with increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) IUD initiation Many women with increased risk of STIs can generally undergo either copper-bearing IUD (Cu-IUD) or LNG-IUD initiation (MEC Category 2). Some women at increased risk (very high individual likelihood) of STIs generally should not have an IUD inserted until appropriate testing and treatment occur (MEC Category 3). Women at increased risk of STIs can generally continue use of either Cu-IUD or LNG-IUD (MEC Category 2).
IUD continuation
No new evidence identified, so quality of evidence not evaluated using GRADE process; reviewed for clarity as requested by the GRC
vii
Topic
MEC recommendation
GRADE assessment of quality of evidencea
11. Recommendations for use of progesterone-releasing vaginal ring – new method added to the guideline Breastfeeding and ≥ 4 weeks postpartum Women who are actively breastfeeding and are ≥ 4 weeks postpartum can use the progesterone-releasing vaginal ring without restrictions (MEC Category 1).
Low
12. Recommendations for use of hormonal contraception for women at high risk of HIV infection, women living with HIV, and women living with HIV using antiretroviral therapy (ART) 12a. Women at high risk of HIV infection Women at high risk of acquiring HIV can use the following hormonal contraceptive methods without restriction: COCs, combined injectable contraceptives (CICs), combined contraceptive patches and rings, POPs, POIs (DMPA and NET-EN), and LNG and ETG implants (MEC Category 1). Women at high risk of acquiring HIV can generally use LNG-IUDs (MEC Category 2). 12b. Women living with asymptomatic or mild HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 1 or 2) Women living with asymptomatic or mild HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 1 or 2) can use the following hormonal contraceptive methods without restriction: COCs, CICs, combined contraceptive patches and rings, POPs, POIs (DMPA and NET-EN), and LNG and ETG implants (MEC Category 1). Women living with asymptomatic or mild HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 1 or 2) can generally use the LNG-IUD (MEC Category 2). 12c. Women living with severe or advanced HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 3 or 4) Women living with severe or advanced HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 3 or 4) can use the following hormonal contraceptive methods without restriction: COCs, CICs, combined contraceptive patches and rings, POPs, POIs (DMPA and NET-EN), and LNG and ETG implants (MEC Category 1). Women living with severe or advanced HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 3 or 4) generally should not initiate use of the LNG-IUD (MEC Category 3) until their illness has improved to asymptomatic or mild HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 1 or 2). Women who already have an LNG-IUD inserted and who develop severe or advanced HIV clinical disease need not have their IUD removed (MEC Category 2 for continuation). Range: Moderate to very low
Range: Moderate to very low
viii
Topic
MEC recommendation
GRADE assessment of quality of evidencea
12d. Women living with HIV using antiretroviral therapy (ART) Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse Women taking any NRTI can use the following hormonal transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) contraceptive methods without restriction: COCs, CICs, combined contraceptive patches and rings, POPs, POIs (DMPA and NET-EN), and LNG and ETG implants (MEC Category 1). Women taking any NRTI can generally use the LNG-IUD (MEC Category 2), provided that their HIV clinical disease is asymptomatic or mild (WHO Stage 1 or 2). Women living with severe or advanced HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 3 or 4) and taking any NRTI generally should not initiate use of the LNG-IUD (MEC Category 3 for initiation) until their illness has improved to asymptomatic or mild HIV clinical disease. Women taking any NRTI who already have have an LNG-IUD inserted and who develop severe or advanced HIV clinical disease need not have their IUD removed (MEC Category 2 for continuation). Non-nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) containing efavirenz or nevirapinecontaining ART Women using NNRTIs containing either efavirenz or nevirapine can generally use COCs, CICs, combined contraceptive patches and rings, POPs, NET-EN, and LNG and ETG implants (MEC Category 2). Women using efavirenz or nevirapine can use DMPA without restriction (MEC Category 1). Women using NNRTIs containing either efavirenz or nevirapine can generally use the LNG-IUD (MEC Category 2), provided that Range: Low to very Low their HIV clinical disease is asymptomatic or mild (WHO Stage 1 or 2). Women living with severe or advanced HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 3 or 4) and using efavirenz or nevirapine generally should not initiate use of the LNG-IUD (MEC Category 3 for initiation) until their illness has improved to asymptomatic or mild HIV clinical disease. Women using efavirenz or nevirapine who already have have an LNG-IUD inserted and who develop severe or advanced HIV clinical disease need not have their IUD removed (MEC Category 2 for continuation). NNRTIs containing etravirine and rilpivirine Women using the newer NNRTIs containing etravirine and rilpivirine can use all hormonal contraceptive methods without restriction (MEC Category 1). Women taking newer NNRTIs can generally use the LNG-IUD (MEC Category 2), provided that their HIV clinical disease is asymptomatic or mild (WHO Stage 1 or 2). Women living with severe or advanced HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 3 or 4) and using newer NNRTIs generally should not initiate use of the LNGIUD (MEC Category 3 for initiation) until their illness has improved to asymptomatic or mild HIV clinical disease. Women using newer NNRTIs who already have have an LNGIUD inserted and who develop severe or advanced HIV clinical disease need not have their IUD removed (MEC Category 2 for continuation).
ix
Topic
MEC recommendation
GRADE assessment of quality of evidencea
12d. Women living with HIV using antiretroviral therapy (ART) (Continued) Protease inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir and ARVs boosted with ritonavir) Women using protease inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir and ARVs boosted with ritonavir) can generally use COCs, CICs, combined contraceptive patches and rings, POPs, NET-EN, and LNG and ETG implants (MEC Category 2). Women using protease inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir and ARVs boosted with ritonavir) can use DMPA without restriction (MEC Category 1). Women using protease inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir and ARVs boosted with ritonavir) can generally use the LNG-IUD (MEC Category 2), provided that their HIV clinical disease is asymptomatic or mild (WHO Stage 1 or 2). Women living with severe or advanced HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 3 or 4) and using protease inhibitors generally should not initiate use of the LNG-IUD (MEC Category 3 for initiation) until their illness has improved to asymptomatic or mild HIV clinical disease. Women using protease inhibitors who already have have an LNGIUD inserted and who develop severe or advanced HIV clinical disease need not have their IUD removed (MEC Category 2 for continuation). Women using the integrase inhibitor raltegravir can use all the following hormonal contraceptive methods without restriction: COCs, CICs, combined contraceptive patches and rings, POPs, POIs (DMPA and NET-EN), and LNG and ETG implants (MEC Category 1)..
Range: Low to very Low
Raltegravir (integrase inhibitor)
x
For those who are familiar with the fourth edition of the MEC, the following summaries highlight changes that appear in the fifth edition of the guideline. These changes include: changes to MEC categories; recommendations for new conditions issued in the fifth edition; changes to the labelling of certain conditions (in order to be consistent with current clinical practice); and details for the new contraceptive methods included in this fifth edition.
Summary of changes from the fourth edition to the fifth edition of the MEC (changes are highlighted in bold) Condition COC/P/ CVR CIC POP DMPA NET-EN LNG/ ETG implants Cu-IUD LNG-IUD
Breastfeeding a) < 6 weeks postpartum b) > 6 weeks to < 6 months (primarily breastfeeding) c) ≥ 6 months postpartum Postpartum (non-breastfeeding women) a) < 21 days (i) without other risk factors for VTE (ii) with other risk factors for VTE b) ≥ 21 days to 42 days (i) without other risk factors for VTE (ii) with other risk factors for VTE c) > 42 days Postpartum (breastfeeding or non-breastfeeding women, including after caesarean section) a) < 48 hours including insertion immediately after delivery of the placenta b) ≥ 48 hours to < 4 weeks c) ≥ 4 weeks d) Puerperal sepsis Superficial venous disorders a) Varicose veins b) Superficial venous thrombosis Known dyslipidaemias without other known cardiovascular risk factors 1 2a 2a 1 2a 2a 1 1 2a 1 1 2a 1 1 2a 1 1 1a 1 1 2a 1 3 1 4 not BF=1; BF=2 3 1 4 2a 3a 1 2a 3a 1 1 1 1 3a 4a 3a 4a 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 3 2 4 3 2 2a 1 1 3a 1 1 2a 1 1
xi
Condition
COC/P/ CVR
CIC
POP
DMPA NET-EN
LNG/ ETG implants
Cu-IUD
LNG-IUD
STIs a) Current purulent cervicitis or chlamydial infection or gonorrhoea b) Other STIs (excluding HIV and hepatitis) c) Vaginitis (including Trichomonas vaginalis and bacterial vaginosis) d) Increased risk of STIs HIV/AIDS High risk of HIV Asymptomatic or mild HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 1 or 2) Severe or advanced HIV clinical disease (WHO stage 3 or 4) Antiretroviral therapy a) Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) Abacavir (ABC) Tenofovir (TDF) Zidovudine (AZT) Lamivudine (3TC) Didanosine (DDI) Emtricitabine (FTC) Stavudine (D4T) b) Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) Efavirenz (EFV) Etravirine (ETR) Nevirapine (NVP) Rilpivirine (RPV) c) Protease inhibitors (PIs) Ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (ATV/r) Ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r) 2a 2a 2a 2a 2a 2a 1 = DMPA; 2 = NET-ENa 1 = DMPA; 2 = NET-ENa 2a 2a 2a 1 2a 1 2a 1 2a 1 2a 1 2a 1 1 = DMPA; 2 = NET-ENa 1 1 = DMPA; 2 = NET-ENa 1 2a 1 2a 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1a 1a 1 1a 1a 1 1a 1a 1a 1a 1a 1 1a 1a 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
I 4 2 2 2/3a
C 2a 2 2 2
I 4 2 2 2/3a
C 2a 2 2 2
2 2 3 I
2 2 2a C
2 2 3 I
2 2 2a C
2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a
2a 2a 2a 2a 2a 2a 2a
2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a
2a 2a 2a 2a 2a 2a 2a
2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a
2a 2a 2a 2a 2a 2a
2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a 2/3a
2a 2a 2a 2a 2a 2a
xii
Condition
COC/P/ CVR 2a 2a
CIC
POP
DMPA NET-EN
LNG/ ETG implants 2a 2a
Cu-IUD
LNG-IUD
Ritonavir-boosted darunavir (DRV/r) Ritonavir (RTV) d) Integrase inhibitors Raltegravir (ral) a Please
2a 2a
2a 2a
1 = DMPA; 2 = NET-ENa 1 = DMPA; 2 = NET-ENa
2/3a 2/3a
2a 2a
2/3a 2/3a
2a 2a
1
1
1
1
1
2/3a
2a
2/3a
2a
consult the relevant table for each contraceptive method in full document, for a clarification to this classification.
Progesterone-releasing vaginal ring (PVR) (changes are highlighted in bold) Condition Pregnancy Breastfeeding and ≥ 4 weeks postpartum Category NA 1
Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) (changes are highlighted in bold) Condition Pregnancy Breastfeeding Past ectopic pregnancy Obesity History of severe cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular attack, or other thromboembolic conditions) Migraine Severe liver disease (including jaundice) CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, efavirenz, fosphenytoin, nevirapine, oxcarbazepine, primidone, rifabutin, St John’s wort/Hypericum perforatum) Repeated ECP use Rape a Please
COC NAa 1 1 1a 2
LNG NAa 1 1 1a 2
UPA NAa 2a 1 1a 2
2 2 1a
2 2 1a
2 2 1a
1a 1
1a 1
1a 1
consult the relevant table for each contraceptive method in the full document, for a clarification to this classification.
xiii
Further information on WHO’s work on family planning can be found at: www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/family_planning Further information on WHO’s work on HIV can be found at: www.who.int/hiv/en/ Department of Reproductive Health and Research World Health Organization Avenue Appia 20, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland E-mail: reproductivehealth@who.int WHO/RHR/15.07 © World Health Organization 2014
All rights reserved. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications –whether for sale or for non-commercial distribution– should be addressed to WHO Press through the WHO website (www.who.int/about/licensing/copyright_form/en/index.html). The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this publication. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use.
xiv
xv
xvi