CDC Archive: Quality Family Planning Services

This 2017 CDC and OPA update summarizes new clinical recommendations impacting family planning care, including contraceptive eligibility, emergency contraception timing, and IUD insertion protocols. It supports providers in aligning with evolving evidence while maintaining quality reproductive health services.

CDC Archive: Emergency Contraception

This CDC resource outlines the available emergency contraception methods in the U.S., including copper IUDs and various emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs). It provides guidance on timing, effectiveness, and follow-up care, as well as recommendations for initiating regular contraception after ECP use. Additional topics include the management of side effects and the safety of advance provision.

CDC Archive: Permanent Contraception

This CDC resource provides clinical guidance on permanent contraception methods, including tubal surgery and vasectomy. It discusses effectiveness, counseling considerations, timing for reliability, and the importance of follow-up semen analysis after vasectomy. The resource also highlights STI protection counseling and the availability of long-acting reversible alternatives.

CDC Archive: 2024 U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations

The conclusion of the 2024 U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use emphasizes supporting healthcare providers in removing unnecessary barriers, promoting reproductive autonomy, and ensuring equitable access to contraception. It highlights key takeaways, including flexible initiation timing, minimal pre-screening, and guidance on emergency and permanent contraception. The CDC outlines its strategy for ongoing updates, implementation, and dissemination.

CDC Archive: Contraceptive Initiation and Follow-Up

This CDC summary outlines how providers can be reasonably certain a patient is not pregnant, when to initiate specific contraceptive methods, and what follow-up is needed. It includes guidance on back-up contraception, necessary exams, and counseling tips tailored to each method—from IUDs to pills. Designed to support safe, timely, and patient-centered contraceptive care.

CDC Archive: When Contraceptive Protection Is No Longer Needed

This CDC guideline outlines when individuals can safely stop using contraception, typically between ages 50–55 or after menopause. It reviews pregnancy risks beyond age 44, health considerations for continuing contraception, and potential complications of late-age pregnancies and contraceptive use. The resource supports evidence-based decisions tailored to each patient's reproductive and medical profile.

CDC Archive: How to Be Reasonably Certain a Patient Is Not Pregnant

This CDC guideline outlines evidence-based criteria to help healthcare providers determine with high accuracy whether a patient is not pregnant before initiating contraception. It includes a clinical checklist, limitations of pregnancy tests, and considerations for various postpartum and abortion-related scenarios.

CDC Archive: Managing Bleeding Irregularities and IUD-Related PID

This clinical reference from the CDC provides guidance on managing bleeding irregularities across different contraceptive methods and outlines recommended protocols when IUD users are diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It includes treatment options, patient counseling considerations, and follow-up recommendations.

CDC Archive: Progestin-Only Pills

This CDC resource provides guidance for healthcare providers on prescribing progestin-only pills (POPs), including norethindrone, norgestrel, and drospirenone formulations. It covers initiation timing, back-up contraception recommendations, missed pill protocols, and management of side effects. The guide also outlines key clinical considerations across postpartum, breastfeeding, and postabortion scenarios.

CDC Archive: Standard Days Method

This CDC resource outlines clinical recommendations for using the Standard Days Method (SDM), a fertility awareness-based contraception. It explains appropriate cycle lengths, effectiveness, and when the method may no longer be suitable. It also highlights the importance of STI protection and when to consider emergency contraception.