The World Health Organisation (WHO) has introduced more contraceptive options. This includes using some existing methods for longer, emergency contraception with mifepristone, and developing new contraceptives for men.
These recommendations are in a new publication titled “WHO guidelines on expanding contraceptive options.” The aim is to help countries provide better access to contraceptive methods based on scientific evidence.
WHO believes this expansion is important for giving people more choices. It allows them to decide whether to use contraception, which method to pick, and when to switch or stop using it.
The global health body estimates that 164 million women who want to delay or avoid pregnancy are not using contraception right now.
Longer use of existing methods
With the new guidance, WHO suggests that combined oral contraceptive pills can be taken for longer. Women may use them for up to six months or continuously for a year, instead of the usual cyclical use.
The organisation also backs contraceptive implants for up to five years. This could mean fewer replacement procedures, fewer clinic visits, and lower costs.
WHO also supports mifepristone as another emergency contraceptive option. They say it should be taken as soon as possible and within five days after unprotected sex.
According to WHO, studies show that mifepristone at doses of 10 to 50 milligrams is just as safe and effective as other emergency contraceptive methods.
Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, spoke about the need for more contraceptive choices. She said contraception should fit people's different needs and situations.
She added that when choosing a contraceptive method, factors like convenience, invasiveness, behaviour, reliability, and accessibility should be considered. “Choice is a gender equality issue,” Ms Allotey said, adding that contraception is not “one-size-fits-all.”
She reminded everyone that people should feel confident and in control to choose a contraceptive method, change it, or stop using it.
WHO cautions against some contraceptive methods
While expanding the range of methods, WHO noted that there isn’t enough evidence to support some contraceptives for family planning programs. They called for more research into ormeloxifene before it is added to family planning programs, citing limited safety evidence.
WHO also does not recommend adding quinestrol-containing contraceptive pills to national programs due to limited evidence and reports of serious side effects.
Push for male contraceptives
WHO believes that expanding contraceptive choices should include options for men to take more responsibility in preventing pregnancy. Currently, men mainly have condoms, withdrawal, and vasectomy as contraceptive options.
Despite these limited choices, WHO found that about 30 percent of couples rely on male methods for contraception. They said their research challenges the idea that men would not use new contraceptive methods.
More than 75 percent of couples surveyed said they would consider using a new male contraceptive. Over 85 percent of women said they would trust their male partners to handle contraception.
To help develop new methods, WHO has created its first Target Product Profile for male contraceptives. This profile lists what future male contraceptive methods should aim for, including safety, effectiveness, acceptability, and affordability.
New male contraceptives in development
Several hormonal and non-hormonal male contraceptive methods are being researched, with some in advanced clinical trials. WHO believes this means that new reversible male contraceptives could be available in five to ten years.
The organisation plans to keep supporting countries as they update their policies and family planning programs based on the best available scientific evidence.
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