WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria Wheel for Contraceptive Use, 2008 Update. Individual copy

Book excerpt: This item is sold in packs of 20. This wheel contains the medical eligibility criteria for starting use of contraceptive methods. It is based on the Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, Third Edition and its 2008 Update. This update of the MEC Wheel contains 25 new recommendations that tell family planning providers whether a woman presenting with a known medical or physical condition is able to use various contraceptive methods safely and effectively. Notable changes include no restrictions on the use of any method for women diagnosed with mild cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis or who are carriers of viral hepatitis. In addition, the updated wheel includes new guidance on drug interactions. Now, women who take anticonvulsants (except lamotrigine), who are on antiretroviral therapy (except ritonavir-boosted ARVs), or have a deep vein thrombosis and are taking anticoagulant therapy are generally able to use any contraceptive method. The wheel includes recommendations on initiating use of six common types of contraceptives: 1. Combined pills (low dose combined oral contraceptives) 2. Combined injectable contraceptives 3. Progestogen-only pills 4. Progestogen-only injectable, DMPA and NET-EN 5. Progestogen-only implants 6. Copper-bearing IUD.