Abstract

SORIANO FERNANDEZ, Humberto; RODENAS GARCIA, Lourdes  and  MORENO ESCRIBANO, Dolores. Eligibility criteria for Contraceptive Methods: New Recommendations. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2010, vol.3, n.3, pp.206-216. ISSN 2386-8201.

When choosing a contraceptive method two main principles must be considered: the available scientific evidence and its suitability to the woman´s or the couple's situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been updating the medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use for over fifteen years. After reviewing the available evidence it presents the results in order to make it easier for health professionals and government agencies to provide the most appropriate contraceptive advice in each situation. The family doctor plays an important role in applying these criteria to each of his/her patient´s situation and determining the best available method for each case. The doctor will provide his/her patients with the available information and respect their opinions and wishes. In this article we analyse how this process should be carried out, what the most relevant aspects of the anamnesis are, what tests are needed and what the indications and contraindications of each method are. We use the lastest WHO recommendations as a guideline to determine the different clinical possibilities we may have to contend with. For good praxis in this area, we should follow these recommendations and respect the patient´s or the couple´s ability to decide. The main objective of this review is to help the physician in his/her daily clinical practice to choose the best option for each patient.

Keywords : Contraception; Primary Health Care; World Health Organization.

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