UK Medical Eligibility for Contraceptive Use 2016

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This authoritative, ‘go-to’ reference for clinicians provides contraceptives safely to women across the life course.

The initiation (I) and continuation (C) of a method of contraception can sometimes be distinguished and classified differently (see tables in this Guidelines summary). The duration of use of a method of contraception prior to the new onset of a medical condition may influence decisions regarding continued use. However, there is no set duration and clinical judgement will be required.Please read this guidance document in conjunction with any relevant clinical statements for this topic: The UKMEC is a set of guidance criteria that enable and support clinicians to deliver safe, evidence-based contraceptive care to women. An often repeated saying in sexual and reproductive health care (SRH) is that ‘all modern methods of contraception are very safe, but not all women are safe to use them’. This guidance helps nurses (and doctors) to identify which methods can safely be used by which women and when. Where does it come from? How was it developed?

This Guidelines summary covers the key conditions that women commonly present with in a primary care setting. Please refer to the full guideline for evidence, clarifications, and additional comments associated with the recommendations. Aims of the UKMEC Guideline the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), contraceptive implants and the progestogen-only pill (POP) are UKMEC 2 FSRH CEU Statement to published systematic review: The relationship between progestin hormonal contraception and depression: a systematic review (March 2018) progestogen-only injectables (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN)) and CHC are classed as UKMEC 3. The category (UKMEC1 to UKMEC4) for each condition is given for each method of contraception. Occasionally, NA (not applicable) is used, which denotes a condition for when a ranking was not given but clarifications have been provided in the full guideline

It is important to note that UKMEC categories for contraceptive use after bariatric surgery relate to safety of use rather than effectiveness. Safety considerations after bariatric surgery relate to ongoing high BMI - see linked item Contraception is free on the NHS. Find out where to get contraception and search by postcode to find:

Which method works best for you depends on a number of factors, including your age, whether you smoke, your medical and family history, and any medicines you're taking. For women with obesity (BMI categories of >=30-34 kg/m2 and >=35 kg/m2) of all ages, all estrogen containing contraception (i.e. combined hormonal contraception (CHC), including combined oral contraception (COC) containing both ethinylestradiol (EE) and estradiol, patch and ring) You can also find out where to get emergency contraception – the "morning after pill" or the IUD (coil). Common questions about contraception The UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (UK MEC 2016) is the authoritative, ‘go-to’ reference for clinicians providing contraceptives safely across the life course.Malaria (rarely seen) and Raynaud’s disease (reclassified) are among the conditions no longer included. What format is it available in? This guidance provides evidence-based recommendations and good practice points for health professionals on the use of progestogen-only injectables (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), Depo-Provera) currently available in the UK. It is intended for any health care professional or health service providing contraception or conception advice in the UK. the UKMEC categorises all progestogen-only contraceptives and intrauterine contraception as UKMEC 1, which means that there are no restrictions on the use of these methods. New conditions have been added to reflect population risk changes (bariatric surgery, organ transplant), increasingly recognised conditions (long QT syndrome) and rheumatoid arthritis. Firstly, this update sees the removal of split categories, where more than one category is assigned to a given condition (e.g. 2/3 or 3/4 categories). 2 This is a change that, I would anticipate, will be warmly welcomed by clinicians. 1 Instead those conditions with previously split categories, such as viral hepatitis and diabetes, have been added to or expanded upon 1 to aid clinicians in making a more patient-centred judgement about the applicability of a method to a given individual.