Medical Eligibility Plan Sample Summary

Summary Chart of U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use

Key: | 1 No restriction (method can be used) | | 2 Advantages generally outweigh theoretical or proven risks | | 3 | Theoretical or proven risks usually outweigh the advantages | | 4 Unacceptable health risk (method not to be used) | |
Updated June 2012. This summary sheet only contains a subset of the recommendations from the US MEC. For complete guidance, see: http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/unintendedpregnancy/USMEC.htm

Most contraceptive methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Consistent and correct use of the male latex condom reduces the risk of STIs and HIV.

Condition | Sub-condition
| b) Second trimester | 1* | 1* | 1* | 1* | 2 | 2 | | c) Immediately post-septic abortion | 1* | 1* | 1* | 1* | 4 | 4 | Postpartum (see also Breastfeeding) | a) < 21 days | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | b) 21 days to 42 days | | | | | | | | (i) with other risk factors for VTE | 3* | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | (ii) without other risk factors for VTE | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | c) > 42 days | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | Postpartum (in breastfeeding or non-breastfeeding women, includingpost-cesareansection) | a) < 10 minutes after delivery of the placenta | | | | | 2 | 1 | | b) 10 minutes after delivery of the placenta to < 4 weeks | | | | | 2 | 2 | | c) > 4 weeks | | | | | 1 | 1 | | d) Puerperal sepsis | | | | | 4 | 4 | Pregnancy | | NA* | NA* | NA* | NA* | 4* | 4* | Rheumatoid arthritis | a) On immunosuppressive therapy | 2 | 1 | 2/3* | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | b) Not on immunosuppressive therapy | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Schistosomiasis | a) Uncomplicated | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | b) Fibrosis of the liver‡ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Severe dysmenorrhea | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2
| d) Increased risk of STIs | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2/3* | 2 | 2/3* | 2 | Smoking | a) Age < 35 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | b) Age > 35, < 15 cigarettes/day | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | c) Age > 35, >15 cigarettes/day | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Solid organ transplantation‡ | a) Complicated | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | | b) Uncomplicated | 2* | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Stroke‡ | History of cerebrovascular accident | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Superficial venousthrombosis | a) Varicose veins | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | b) Superficial thrombophlebitis | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | | | Systemic lupus erythematosus‡ | a) Positive (or unknown) antiphospholipid antibodies | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | | b) Severe thrombocytopenia | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2* | 3* | 2* | | c) Immunosuppressive treatment | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | | d) None of the above | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Thrombogenic mutations‡ | | 4* | 2* | 2* | 2* | 2* | 1* | Thyroid disorders | Simple goiter/ hyperthyroid/hypothyroid | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1