US Selected Practice Recommendations (US SPR) for Contraceptive Use, 2016

Pages in this Report
  1. US SPR 2016
  2. Introduction
  3. How To Be Reasonably Certain that a Woman Is Not Pregnant
  4. Intrauterine Contraception
  5. Implants
  6. Injectables
  7. Combined Hormonal Contraceptives
  8. Progestin-Only Pills
  9. Standard Days Method
  10. Emergency Contraception
  11. Female Sterilization
  12. Male Sterilization
  13. When Women Can Stop Using Contraceptives
  14. Conclusion
  15. References
  16. Summary Chart of U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2016
  17. When To Start Using Specific Contraceptive Methods
  18. Examinations and Tests Needed Before Initiation of Contraceptive Methods
  19. Routine Follow-Up After Contraceptive Initiation
  20. Management of Women with Bleeding Irregularities While Using Contraception
  21. Management of Intrauterine Devices When Users are Found To Have Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  22. Participants
Related Pages

Summary

The 2016 U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (U.S. SPR) addresses a select group of common, yet sometimes controversial or complex, issues regarding initiation and use of specific contraceptive methods. 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 2013 U.S. SPR (MMWR 2013;62 [No. RR-5]). Major updates include:

1) Revised recommendations for starting regular contraception after the use of emergency contraceptive pills.
2) New recommendations for the use of medications to ease insertion of intrauterine devices.

The recommendations in this report are intended to serve as a source of clinical guidance for health care providers and provide evidence-based guidance to reduce medical barriers to contraception access and use. 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.

Downloads and Resources

A limited amount of provider tools and MMWRs are available to order from CDC-INFO on Demand.

USSPR image cover for presentation

U.S. SPR Speaker Ready Slide Set
 This slide presentation can be used by health care providers who want to increase knowledge about the U.S SPR.. The presentation and speaker notes can also be used or adapted to give presentations on the U.S. SPR. This material is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Powerpoint presentation available in ppt or pdf formats. If you would like to received continuing education credits, visit the training page. ppt icon[PPT – 4.33MB] | pdf icon[PDF – 2.09MB]

Teen Pregnancy Prevention image cover for presentation

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Speaker Ready Slide Set
 This slide presentation can be used by health care providers who want to increase knowledge about the U.S. MEC, U.S. SPR, and Teen Pregnancy Prevention. The presentation and speaker notes can also be used or adapted to give presentations on the U.S. MEC, U.S. SPR, and Teen Pregnancy Prevention. This material is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Powerpoint presentation available in ppt or pdf formats. If you would like to received continuing education credits, visit the training page. ppt icon[PPT – 14.4MB] | pdf icon[PDF – 5.51MB]

USSPR E-Book icon

US SPR eBook
 CDC has an eBook (updated in April 2020) which provides guidance for healthcare providers on common, yet sometimes complex, management issues around the initiation and use of specific contraceptive methods.This eBook includes the full content of the U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2016

app icon

US MEC & US SPR App
 Download the 2016 US MEC and US SPR app (updated in April 2020), an easy to use reference that combines information from the both CDC family planning guidance. It features a streamlined interface so providers can access the guidance quickly and easily. It is available for iOS and Android operating systems. iOS (Apple Store) Appexternal icon
Android (Google Play Store) Appexternal icon

USSPR-MMWRcover.jpg

Print Version of the MMWR pdf icon[PDF – 187KB]
Print version of the MMWR US Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2016

when-to-start-contraception-guidance_225px.jpg

When to Start Contraceptive Methods and Routine-Follow Up – pdf icon[PDF – 158KB]
This provider tool contains information from the US SPR into a one page document. It includes How to Be Reasonably Certain That a Women Is Not Pregnant, When to Start Using a Specific Contraceptive Methods, and Routine Follow-Up After Contraceptive Initiation.

missed-late-contraception-guidance_225px.jpg

What to Do If Late, Missed, or Delayed Combined Hormonal Contraception – pdf icon[PDF 213KB]
This provider tool from the US SPR contains Recommended Actions After Late or Missed Combined Oral Contraceptive, Recommended Actions After Delayed Application or Detachment with Combined Hormonal Patch, and Recommended Actions After Delayed Insertion or Reinsertion with Combined Hormonal Ring.

management-contraception-guidance_225px.jpg

Management of IUD when Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is Found and Management of Women with Bleeding Irregularities pdf icon[PDF – 104KB]
This provider tool contains two diagrams presented in the US SPR. It includes the Management of Women with Bleeding Irregularities While Using Contraception and the Management of the IUD When a CU-IUD or an LNG-IUD User Is Found to Have Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

 

Page last reviewed: April 1, 2020
Content source: Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion