The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a burden to healthcare systems around the world and has changed the way people access health services, including contraception. This document sets forth guidance from the Society of Family Planning for providing contraceptive care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including when access to healthcare is ... Read more >

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is a highly-effective, injectable contraceptive method that requires injections every 12 to 15 weeks. The need for return visits to a healthcare provider may present barriers to access, use, and continuation of DMPA. Studies demonstrate that self-administration of subcutaneous DMPA (DMPA-SC) outside clinical settings is safe, effective, feasible, acceptable, and can ... Read more >

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement regarding intrauterine device (IUD) nomenclature to clarify various terms used for intrauterine contraception. This clarification was prompted, according to the statement, because “(t)he use of many different acronyms to describe a method category can lead to confusion among governments, procurers, distributors, academics, providers and users.” The WHO ... Read more >

Women should be provided with evidence-based information when considering options for contraception and pregnancy management. When counseling about health conditions and available treatments, healthcare practitioners should employ strategies that encourage the incorporation of informed patient preferences into a shared decision-making process with the patient. To optimize the health of women at risk of experiencing adverse ... Read more >

Women at high risk for maternal morbidity and mortality have unique needs for reproductive health services, including prenatal and postpartum care, contraception, and abortion. However, barriers such as restrictive state legislation, poor access to trained providers, limits in insurance coverage, and clinical challenges in assessing and communicating risk often make it difficult for these women ... Read more >