This update, titled Providing Quality Family Planning Services in the United States: Recommendations of the U.S. Office of Population Affairs (Revised 2024), provides recommendations developed by the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These recommendations represent an ... Read more >

Understanding the relationship between contraception and body weight is an important clinical consideration. Body weight and size has the potential to affect fertility and the effectiveness of some contraceptive methods, although historically this association has not been applied within a person-centered context that would allow individuals to select their preferred contraceptive method. Further, individuals with ... Read more >

The 2024 US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (US MEC) comprises recommendations for the use of specific contraceptive methods by persons who have certain characteristics or medical conditions. These recommendations for health care providers were updated by CDC after review of the scientific evidence and a meeting with national experts in Atlanta, Georgia, during ... Read more >

The 2024 US Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (US SPR) addresses a selected group of common, yet sometimes complex, issues regarding initiation and use of specific contraceptive methods. These recommendations for health care providers were updated by CDC after review of the scientific evidence and a meeting with national experts in Atlanta, Georgia, during ... Read more >

On March 4, 2024, the first daily over-the-counter oral contraceptive pill became available in the United States. This progestin-only pill (POP) is approved without a prescription for adolescents and adults to prevent pregnancy. The FDA did not approve this POP for menstrual suppression or other noncontraceptive indications. For both adults and adolescents, over-the-counter access to ... Read more >