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  • Introduction
    • Welcome to FPHandbook.org!
    • From the World Health Organization
    • From the United States Agency for International Development
    • Acknowledgements
    • Collaborating and Supporting Organizations
    • WHO’s Family Planning Guidance
    • Human Rights: Family Planning Providers’ Contribution
    • How to Obtain More Copies of This Book
  • Chapters
    • Combined Oral Contraceptives
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Correcting Misunderstandings
      • Facts About Combined Oral Contraceptives and Cancer
      • Who Can and Cannot Use Combined Oral Contraceptives
      • Medical Eligibility Criteria for Combined Oral Contraceptives
      • Using Clinical Judgment in Special Cases
      • Providing Combined Oral Contraceptives
      • Giving Advice on Side Effects
      • Explaining How to Use
      • Supporting the User
      • Come Back Any Time: Reasons to Return
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • Managing Any Problems
      • Extended and Continuous Use of Combined Oral Contraceptives
      • Questions and Answers About Combined Oral Contraceptives
    • Progestin-Only Pills
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can and Cannot Use Progestin-Only Pills
      • Medical Eligibility Criteria for Progestin-Only Pills
      • Using Clinical Judgment in Special Cases
      • Providing Progestin-Only Pills
      • Giving Advice on Side Effects
      • Explaining How to Use
      • Supporting the User
      • “Come Back Any Time”: Reasons to Return
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • Managing Any Problems
      • Questions and Answers About Progestin-Only Pills
    • Emergency Contraceptive Pills
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can Use Emergency Contraceptive Pills
      • Providing Emergency Contraceptive Pills
      • Pill Formulations and Dosing
      • Giving Emergency Contraceptive Pills
      • How Can a Partner Help?
      • When to Start or Restart Contraception After ECP Use
      • Helping Users
      • Questions and Answers About Emergency Contraceptive Pills
    • Progestin-Only Injectables
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Delivering Injectable Contraception in the Community
      • Who Can and Cannot Use Progestin-Only Injectables
      • Medical Eligibility Criteria for Progestin-Only Injectables
      • Using Clinical Judgment in Special Cases
      • Providing Progestin-Only Injectables
      • Giving Advice on Side Effects
      • Giving Intramuscular Injection with a Conventional Syringe
      • Giving the Injection with Subcutaneous DMPA in Uniject (Sayana Press)
      • Supporting the User
      • Teaching Clients to Self-Inject
      • How to Give Yourself an Injection with Sayana Press
      • How Can a Partner Help?
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • Managing Late Injections
      • Managing Any Problems
      • New Problems That May Require Switching Methods
      • Questions and Answers About Progestin-Only Injectables
    • Monthly Injectables
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can and Cannot Use Monthly Injectables
      • Medical Eligibility Criteria for Monthly Injectables
      • Using Clinical Judgment in Special Cases
      • Providing Monthly Injectables
      • Giving Advice on Side Effects
      • Giving the Injection
      • Supporting the User
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • Managing Late Injections
      • Managing Any Problems
      • New Problems That May Require Switching Methods
      • Questions and Answers About Monthly Injectables
    • Combined Patch: Only the Essentials
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Providing the Combined Patch
      • Supporting the User
    • Combined Vaginal Ring: Only the Essentials
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Providing the Combined Vaginal Ring
      • Supporting the User
    • Progesterone-Releasing Vaginal Ring: Only the Essentials
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Providing the Progesterone-Releasing Vaginal Ring
      • Supporting the User
    • Implants
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can and Cannot Use Implants
      • Medical Eligibility Criteria for Implants
      • Using Clinical Judgment in Special Cases
      • Providing Implants
      • Giving Advice on Side Effects
      • Inserting Implants
      • Supporting the User
      • Removing Implants
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • Managing Any Problems
      • New Problems That May Require Switching Methods
      • Questions and Answers About Implants
    • Copper-Bearing Intrauterine Device
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, Health Risks, and Complications
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can and Cannot Use the Copper-Bearing IUD
      • Medical Eligibility Criteria for Copper-Bearing IUDs
      • Using Clinical Judgment in Special Cases
      • Screening Questions for Pelvic Examination Before IUD Insertion
      • Assessing Women for Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections
      • Providing the Intrauterine Device
      • Preventing Infection at IUD Insertion
      • Giving Advice on Side Effects
      • Inserting the IUD
      • Explaining the Insertion Procedure
      • Supporting the User
      • "Come Back Any Time": Reasons to Return
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • Removing the Intrauterine Device
      • Switching From an IUD to Another Method
      • Managing Any Problems
      • New Problems That May Require Switching Methods
      • Questions and Answers About the Intrauterine Device
    • Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, Health Risks, and Complications
      • Who Can and Cannot Use Levonorgestrel IUDs
      • Using Clinical Judgment in Special Cases
      • Screening Questions for Pelvic Examination Before IUD Insertion
      • Assessing Women for Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections
      • Providing the Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device
      • Giving Advice on Side Effects
      • Inserting the LNG-IUD
      • Explaining the Insertion Procedure
      • Supporting the User
      • "Come Back Any Time": Reasons to Return
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • Removing the Intrauterine Device
      • Switching From an IUD to Another Method
      • Managing Any Problems
      • New Problems That May Require Switching Methods
      • Questions and Answers About the LNG-IUD
    • Female Sterilization
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, Health Risks, and Complications
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can Have Female Sterilization
      • Medical Eligibility Criteria for Female Sterilization
      • Providing Female Sterilization
      • Ensuring Informed Choice
      • Performing the Sterilization Procedure
      • Local Anesthesia Is Best for Female Sterilization
      • Supporting the User
      • "Come Back Any Time": Reasons to Return
      • Helping Users
      • Managing Ectopic Pregnancy
      • Questions and Answers About Female Sterilization
    • Vasectomy
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, Health Risks, and Complications
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can Have a Vasectomy
      • Medical Eligibility Criteria for Vasectomy
      • Reaching the Vas: No-Scalpel Vasectomy
      • Vasectomy for Men With HIV
      • Providing Vasectomy
      • Ensuring Informed Choice
      • Performing the Vasectomy Procedure
      • Supporting the User
      • "Come Back Any Time": Reasons to Return
      • Helping Users
      • Questions and Answers About Vasectomy
    • Male Condoms
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Bringing Up Condom Use
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can and Cannot Use Male Condoms
      • Providing Male Condoms
      • Explaining How to Use
      • What Condom Users Should Not Do
      • Lubricants for Latex Condoms
      • Supporting the User
      • "Come Back Any Time": Reasons to Return
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • New Problems That May Require Switching Methods
      • Questions and Answers About Male Condoms
    • Female Condoms
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can Use Female Condoms
      • Providing Female Condoms
      • Explaining How To Use
      • Supporting the User
      • Lubricants for Female Condoms
      • Tips for New Users
      • "Come Back Any Time": Reasons to Return
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • Questions and Answers About Female Condoms
    • Spermicides and Diaphragms
      • How Effective - Spermicides?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks - Spermicides
      • Correcting Misunderstandings - Spermicides (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can and Cannot Use Spermicides
      • Providing Spermicides
      • Supporting the Spermicide User
      • Diaphragms
      • How Effective - Diaphragms?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks - Diaphragms
      • Correcting Misunderstandings - Diaphragms (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can and Cannot Use Diaphragms
      • Using Clinical Judgment in Special Cases of Diaphragm Use
      • Providing Diaphragms
      • Explaining the Fitting Procedure
      • Explaining How to Use the Diaphragm
      • Supporting the Diaphragm User
      • Tips for Users of Spermicides or the Diaphragm With Spermicide
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • New Problems That May Require Switching Methods
      • Questions and Answers About Spermicides and Diaphragms
    • Cervical Caps: Only the Essentials
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Providing Cervical Caps
    • Fertility Awareness Methods
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can Use Calendar-Based Methods
      • Providing Calendar-Based Methods
      • Explaining How to Use Calendar-Based Methods
      • Calendar Rhythm Method
      • Who Can Use Symptoms-Based Methods
      • Providing Symptoms-Based Methods
      • Explaining How to Use Symptoms-Based Methods
      • Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Method
      • Ovulation Method
      • Symptothermal Method (basal body temperature + cervical secretions + other fertility signs)
      • Supporting the User
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • Questions and Answers About Fertility Awareness Methods
    • Withdrawal: Only the Essentials
      • How Effective?
      • Who Can and Cannot Use Withdrawal
      • Using Withdrawal
    • Lactational Amenorrhea Method
      • How Effective?
      • Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks
      • Correcting Misunderstandings (see also Questions and Answers)
      • Who Can Use the Lactational Amenorrhea Method
      • The Lactational Amenorrhea Method for Women With HIV
      • Providing the Lactational Amenorrhea Method
      • When Can a Woman Use LAM?
      • Explaining How to Use
      • Supporting the User
      • How Can a Partner Help?
      • Helping Continuing Users
      • Questions and Answers About the Lactational Amenorrhea Method
    • Serving Diverse Groups
      • Adolescents
      • Provide Services with Care and Respect
      • All Contraceptives Are Safe for Young People
      • Men
      • Many Ways to Help Men
      • Women Near Menopause
      • Special Considerations About Method Choice
      • When a Woman Can Stop Using Family Planning
      • Relieving Symptoms of Menopause
      • Clients with Disabilities
    • Sexually Transmitted Infections, Including HIV
      • Who Is at Risk?
      • What Causes STIs?
      • Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections
      • Common Vaginal Infections Often Confused With Sexually Transmitted Infections
      • Avoiding Sexually Transmitted Infections
      • Contraceptives for Clients with STIs, HIV, and AIDS
      • What Is Cervical Cancer?
      • Questions and Answers About Sexually Transmitted Infections, Including HIV
    • Maternal and Newborn Health
      • Planning Pregnancy
      • During Pregnancy
      • Planning for Family Planning After Delivery
      • Preparing for Childbirth and Complications
      • After Childbirth
      • Earliest Time That a Woman Can Start a Family Planning Method After Childbirth
      • Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV
      • Managing Any Breastfeeding Problems
    • Reproductive Health Issues
      • Family Planning in Postabortion Care
      • Provide Important Information
      • When to Start Contraceptive Methods
      • Violence Against Women
      • What Can Providers Do?
      • Infertility
      • Preventing Infertility
      • Counseling Clients With Fertility Problems
    • Family Planning Provision
      • Successful Counseling
      • Who Provides Family Planning?
      • Family Planning Methods and Services Typically Offered by Various Types of Service Providers
      • Infection Prevention in the Clinic
      • Make Infection Prevention a Habit
      • Managing Contraceptive Supplies
      • Wall Chart Available
    • Family Planning for Adolescents and Women at High Risk for HIV
    • Providing Family Planning Services During Public Health Emergencies
  • Job Aids & Tools
    • Comparing Combined Methods
    • Comparing Injectables
    • Comparing Implants
    • Comparing Condoms
    • Comparing IUDs
    • If You Miss Pills
    • Female Anatomy
    • External Anatomy
    • The Menstrual Cycle
    • Male Anatomy
    • Correctly Using a Male Condom
    • Identifying Migraine Headaches and Auras
    • Can a Woman With Migraines and/or Aura Use a Hormonal Method?
    • Considering Progestin-Only Injectables Where HIV Risk Is High: Counseling Tips
    • Ruling Out Pregnancy
    • How and When to Use the Pregnancy Checklist and Pregnancy Tests
    • Pregnancy Checklist
    • Comparing Effectiveness of Family Planning Methods
  • APPENDIX
    • APPENDIX A - Contraceptive Effectiveness
    • APPENDIX B - Signs and Symptoms of Serious Health Conditions
    • APPENDIX C - Medical Conditions That Make Pregnancy Especially Risky
    • APPENDIX D - Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use
      • PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND REPRODUCTIVE HISTORY
      • CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
      • NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
      • REPRODUCTIVE TRACT INFECTIONS AND DISORDERS
      • HIV/AIDS
      • OTHER INFECTIONS
      • ENDOCRINE CONDITIONS
      • GASTROINTESTINAL CONDITIONS
      • ANEMIAS
      • DRUG INTERACTIONS
      • ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
    • Glossary
    • Methodology
    • WHO Guidance Documents Used in Preparation of This Edition of the Handbook
    • Illustration and Photo Credits

Family Planning

A Global Handbook for Providers

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Job Aids & Tools

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