Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptives

Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) is a globally recognised system used to classify the contraindications and precautions for contraceptives. It provides evidence-based guidance on which methods of contraception may be used safely by individuals with specific medical conditions or characteristics. This guidance may differ from the product information. The United Kingdom Medical Eligibility Criteria (UKMEC) is the system most applicable to the Australian setting.

In this topic:

• UKMEC 1 or UKMEC 2 categories are described as ‘safe to use’
• UKMEC 3 categories require expert clinical judgment or referral
• UKMEC 4 categories are absolute contraindications.

For individuals with multiple conditions, clinical judgment is required to determine medical eligibility because the UKMEC categories consider each condition in isolation only.

For some conditions, the UKMEC varies depending on whether the method of contraception is being started or continued. For example, inserting an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) in someone with untreated gonorrhoea is categorised as UKMEC 4 because it poses an unacceptable risk; however, someone who contracts and is successfully treated for gonorrhoea can continue to use an IUD that is already in place because it is generally safe (categorised as UKMEC 2).