The 2016 U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for
Contraceptive Use (U.S. MEC) comprises recommendations for the use of specific
contraceptive methods by women and men who have certain characteristics or medical conditions. These recommendations for health care providers were updated by CDC after review of the scientific evidence and consultation with national experts who met in Atlanta, Georgia, during August 26-28, 2015. The information in this report updates the 2010 U.S. MEC (CDC. U.S. medical eligibility criteria for
contraceptive use, 2010. MMWR 2010:59 [No. RR-4]). Notable updates include the addition of recommendations for women with
cystic fibrosis, women with
multiple sclerosis, and women receiving certain
psychotropic drugs or St. John's wort; revisions to the recommendations for
emergency contraception, including the addition of
ulipristal acetate; and revisions to the recommendations for postpartum women; women who are breastfeeding; women with known
dyslipidemias,
migraine headaches, superficial venous
disease, gestational trophoblastic disease, sexually transmitted diseases, and human immunodeficiency virus; and women who are receiving antiretroviral
therapy. The recommendations in this report are intended to assist health care providers when they counsel women, men, and couples about
contraceptive method choice. Although these recommendations are meant to serve as a source of clinical guidance, health care providers should always consider the individual clinical circumstances of each person seeking family planning services. This report is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice for individual patients. Persons should seek advice from their health care providers when considering family planning options.