Reproductive Health

United States Medical Eligibility Criteria (USMEC) for Contraceptive Use

In 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the first edition of the Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, which gave evidence-based global guidance on the safety of contraceptive method use for women with specific characteristics and medical conditions. WHO has always intended for its global guidance to be used by policy makers, family planning program managers, and the scientific community as a reference when developing family planning guidance at the country or program level.

CDC went through a formal adaptation process to create the United States Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (USMEC). This document is intended to assist health care providers when counseling women, men, and couples about contraceptive method choice. This document is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice; persons should seek advice from their health care providers when determining family planning options.

Dr. Barfield's video CDC Expert Video Commentary on Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use

CDC Expert Video Commentary on Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use

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USMEC Updates
Date	Changes/Updates
June 21, 2012	CDC has updated the recommendations for hormonal contraceptive use among women at high risk for HIV or infected with HIV, based on new scientific evidence. The new recommendations can be found in *Update to CDC’s U. S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2010: Revised Recommendations for the Use of Hormonal Contraception Among Women at High Risk for HIV or infected with HIV.* Source: MMWR 2012;61(24);449–452.
September 2011	The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) endorses the U.S. MEC and encourages its use by Fellows. The committee opinion is explained in Understanding and Using the U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2010. Source: Obstet Gynecol. 2011;118(3):754-760.
July 8, 2011	CDC has updated the recommendations for combined hormonal contraceptive use among postpartum women, on the basis of new scientific evidence. The new recommendations can be found in **Update to CDC’s U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2010: Revised Recommendations for the Use of Contraceptive Methods During the Postpartum Period*. Source: MMWR.* 2011;60(26):878–883.
June 18, 2010	For the first time, CDC is issuing a set of recommendations for U.S. health care professionals to use when providing family planning counseling and services. *The U. S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2010, provides guidance on whether women and men with particular medical conditions or physical characteristics can safely use certain methods of contraception. Source: MMWR.* 2010;59(RR04):1–85.
November 2009	USMEC homepage is launched.

CDC Resources

References for Hormonal Contraception and HIV Acquisition, Transmission, and Disease Progression. [PDF - 157]
Summary Chart of U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use
This document is a summary chart of the U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use which can be printed double sided, laminated, and used by health care providers when counseling women. Full Color Version [DOC - 77KB] Black and White Version [DOC - 74KB]