Medical Eligibility for Contraception (MEC)

Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraception (MEC)

The Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) for contraceptive use, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), provides evidence-based guidance on the safe use of contraceptive methods for individuals with specific health conditions or characteristics. This framework assists healthcare providers in determining the most appropriate contraceptive options for their patients.

MEC categories of medical condition to guide contraceptive use :

Category	Meaning	Recommendation
1	No restriction	There are no restriction for the use of the contraceptive method.
2	Advantages > risk	The advantages of the method outweigh the theoretical risk, hence method can be used with regular follow up.
3	Risk > advantages	Risks outweigh the advantages, the method is only used if all other methods are category 4. Use with caution and strict supervision.
4	Unacceptable	Unacceptable health risk and hence method should not be used.

These categories help clinicians assess the suitability of contraceptive methods for individuals with various medical conditions. For instance, a woman with controlled hypertension may fall into Category 2 for certain contraceptives, indicating that the benefits generally outweigh the risks.

The MEC guidelines play a crucial role in:

1. Ensuring the safe provision of contraceptive methods.

2. Reducing medical barriers to contraceptive access.

3. Supporting informed decision-making between patients and healthcare providers.

By adhering to MEC recommendations, healthcare professionals help choose personalized contraceptive care that aligns with each individual's health status and reproductive goals.

References

1. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use. 5th Edition. Geneva: WHO; 2015.https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549158

1. WHO MEC WHEEL :https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/1735