Quick Reference Chart for the WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria For Contraceptive Use — to initiate and continue use of combined oral contraceptives, DMPA, implants, and copper IUDs

The World Health Organization (WHO) develops detailed criteria for determining which contraceptive methods are medically suitable for which clients. These criteria are based on the most current scientific knowledge about the effectiveness, risks, and benefits of various family planning methods, and they can help health care workers guide their clients in making safe and informed decisions. 

The criteria were recently revised based on recommendations made at an expert working group meeting held at the World Health Organization in Geneva, April 2008.

FHI has created a quick reference guide, in the form of a chart, that summarizes WHO's medical eligibility criteria for combined oral contraceptives, Depo-Provera, implants, and copper IUDs.

This document is also available as a PDF in Spanish (70 KB), French (89 KB), and Romanian (PDF, 67 KB).  

Source: Adapted from Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use. Geneva: World Health Organization. Third edition, 2004; updated 2008.