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Some Methods Are Not Advised For Certain Health Conditions

The Essentials of Contraceptive Technology Wall Chart

Some Methods Are Not Advised For Certain Health Conditions

CONDITION METHODS NOT ADVISED
Smoker and also age 35 or older Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs)*
Known high blood pressure COCs. If severe high blood pressure, DMPA.**
Breastfeeding in first 6 months.
Breastfeeding in first 6 weeks.
First 21 days after childbirth, not breastfeeding.
COCs
DMPA, implants, progestin-only pills (POPs)
COCs
Certain uncommon serious diseases of the heart and blood vessels, and a few other uncommon diseases of the liver or gallbladder. COCs, POPs, DMPA, implants. Ask your provider.
Certain migraines (a type of severe headache) COCs. Also under special circumstances, POPs, DMPA, implants. Ask your provider.
Current gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, pus-like discharge from the cervix (cervictis), high individual risk of these conditions, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or untreated AIDs.*** IUD. Use condoms even if also using another method.
Certain uncommon conditions of female organs. IUD. Ask your provider.
Known pregnancy COCs, POPs, DMPA, implants, IUD.

*Also applies to combined (monthly) injectables, patch, and vaginal ring throughout.
**DMPA = DMPA injectable (Depo-Provera); also applies to NET EN injectable (Noristerat) throughout.
***An IUD user who develops such a condition can keep her IUD during and after treatment. Women with HIV infection but not AIDS and women with AIDS who are doing well on ARV therapy can start and continue using the IUD.

Note: Also consult national standards for specific guidance.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this web site is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Government or The Johns Hopkins University.