WHO issues new family planning guidance in Switzerland to broaden global contraceptive options

SWITZERLAND—The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a wider range of contraceptive options, including emergency contraception, longer-lasting implants, and new approaches to male contraception, to give people more choices based on their needs and preferences.

An estimated 164 million women who want to delay or avoid pregnancy do not use contraception, highlighting the need to expand access to safe and effective methods.

New guidance expands contraceptive choices

In its new publication, WHO Guidelines on Expanding Contraceptive Options, WHO provides countries with evidence-based recommendations to broaden access to contraceptive methods and offer more flexibility in how people use them.

The guidelines recommend that combined oral contraceptive pills can be taken for extended periods of up to six months or continuously for up to one year, providing alternatives to traditional cyclical use.

WHO also supports the use of contraceptive implants for up to five years, which could reduce the frequency of replacement procedures and clinic visits.

For emergency contraception, WHO recommends mifepristone as an additional option.

People can take it as soon as possible and within five days of unprotected sex. Evidence indicates that mifepristone doses ranging from 10 mg to 50 mg are likely to be as safe and effective as other emergency contraceptive methods.

“Choice is a gender equality issue,” said Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing.

She said contraceptive needs differ between individuals and that people require options that consider factors such as convenience, invasiveness, behaviour, reliability, and accessibility.

WHO calls for more evidence on some methods

The guidance also identifies contraceptive methods that require further research. WHO has called for additional studies on ormeloxifene before countries include it in family planning programmes because available evidence on its safety remains limited.

The organisation also recommends against adding quinestrol-containing contraceptive pills to national contraceptive programmes because of limited evidence and reports of serious adverse events.

Developing male contraceptive options

WHO is also working to expand contraceptive choices for men.

Currently, men have relatively few methods under their control, mainly condoms, withdrawal, and vasectomy. Nevertheless, about 30% of couples rely on a male method.

Research supported by WHO indicates potential demand for additional male contraceptives.

More than 75% of couples surveyed said they would be willing to use a new male contraceptive, while more than 85% of women said they would trust their male partners to take responsibility for contraception.

To support development, WHO has published its first Target Product Profile for male contraceptive methods.

The profile outlines characteristics such products should aim to achieve, including safety, effectiveness, acceptability, and affordability.

Several hormonal and non-hormonal male contraceptives are currently under development, with some candidates in advanced clinical trials.

WHO estimates that new reversible male contraceptives could reach the market within the next five to 10 years.

WHO plans to support countries as they update family planning policies and programmes using the latest available evidence.

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