WHO expands contraception recommendations — Premium Times Nigeria
In Nigeria, Premium Times Nigeria reported that the World Health Organization has updated its contraception recommendations, supporting longer use of certain existing methods, the use of mifepristone for emergency contraception, and the development of new methods for men.
The new WHO guidelines are intended to help countries expand access to contraceptive methods supported by available scientific evidence. The organization noted that 164 million women who want to delay or avoid pregnancy currently do not use contraception.
Longer use of methods
WHO recommended using combined oral contraceptives in an extended regimen for up to six months or continuously for up to one year, instead of the traditional cyclical regimen. The organization also supported the use of contraceptive implants for up to five years. WHO believes this could reduce the number of implant replacement procedures, clinic visits, and related costs.
Mifepristone has been recommended as an additional method of emergency contraception. It should be used as soon as possible, but no later than five days after unprotected sexual intercourse. According to WHO, doses from 10 to 50 mg are likely to be as safe and effective as other emergency contraception methods.
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Cautions and male contraception
At the same time, WHO called for further research into ormeloxifene before including this drug in family planning programs because of limited data on its safety. The organization also did not recommend including quinestrol contraceptive pills in national programs: evidence on them is insufficient, and serious adverse reactions have also been reported.
WHO emphasized the need to expand options for men in preventing pregnancy. Currently, methods under the direct control of men include condoms, withdrawal, and vasectomy. The organization estimates that about 30% of couples use a male contraceptive method.
More than 75% of surveyed couples said they would be willing to use a new male contraceptive, while more than 85% of women said they would trust their partners with responsibility for contraception. WHO has created the first target product profile for male contraceptives, which sets benchmarks for the safety, effectiveness, acceptability, and accessibility of future methods. Some hormonal and non-hormonal methods are already undergoing late-stage clinical trials, and new reversible male contraceptives may enter the market within the next five to ten years.
