By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations’ Special Programme of Human Reproduction (HRP) will launch the sixth edition of the Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (MEC) and the fourth edition of the Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (SPR) during the seventh International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP 2025) from Nov. 1-6 in Bogotá.
This is the first time the conference is being held in Latin America. Updated with the latest evidence, WHO aims to make contraceptive care safer, more consistent, and more responsive to people’s real needs.
“The release of the updated WHO MEC and SPR marks a transformative milestone in global reproductive health,” said Prof. Frank Louwen, President of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). “They reaffirm the central role of science in enabling choice, equity, and quality in family planning.”
WHO notes that family planning is more than just a health service; it saves lives, improves health outcomes, strengthens communities, and empowers individuals to decide if and when to become pregnant. For nearly 30 years, the MEC and SPR guidelines have formed the foundation of this work.
For health service providers, the MEC answers the vital question: Is this contraceptive method safe for this individual, given their medical history? The SPR provides guidance on how to use contraceptive methods safely and effectively. Together, they assist policymakers and program managers in ensuring that contraception is safe, effective, and rights-based.
The new editions reflect significant advances in understanding contraceptive methods. For instance, progestogen-only injectables can now be safely offered immediately after childbirth, emergency contraception can be repeated within the same cycle, and hormonal methods can be safely used by women taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
The impact of these tools is tangible across countries. In Botswana, Bame Bame, a research nurse specializing in sexual and reproductive health, said, “I use the MEC almost every day. The Wheel and the App make it quick and convenient, especially when I am with a client. It reassures them and empowers clinicians like me with confidence that we are providing the best care possible.”
In the Philippines, Sharon Uy, a family planning program manager in Samar, remarked, “As a health service provider, the WHO Selected Practice Recommendations have transformed how I guide clients in choosing and using family planning methods. By complementing the MEC Wheel, they provide not just the ‘who can use’ but also the ‘how to use,’ making counseling clearer, more confident, and client-centered. They have simplified decision-making and allowed me to focus more on empowering clients through informed, evidence-based choices.”
The true power of the MEC and SPR lies in their application. Policymakers can integrate the new guidance into training, supervision, and health system planning. Health workers can utilize derivative products, such as the MEC Wheel, the App, and the Family Planning Handbook, to support informed, client-centered counseling.
Academic and professional associations can ensure that future generations of providers learn to deliver contraceptive care grounded in evidence and respect.
“The updated WHO MEC and SPR reaffirm that every woman, man, and young person has the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health, supported by the highest standards of scientific evidence,” said Julia Bunting, Director of the Programme Division at UNFPA.
“UNFPA welcomes these updated tools as essential instruments for advancing quality, rights-based contraceptive care—ensuring that guidance keeps pace with innovation, equity, and the realities of diverse health care settings.”
