Family Planning and Contraception

This collection features AFP content deemed current by the AFP online medical editor on family planning and contraception and related issues, including emergency contraception, hormonal and non-hormonal contraception, infertility, in vitro fertilization, intrauterine devices, preconception care, tubal sterilization, and vasectomy. New research may affect the interpretation and application of this material. Clinical judgment is advised. Note that AFP content published within the past 12 months is accessible to AAFP members and paid subscribers only.

Last Update: 05/30/2013

Preconception Care Infertility Contraception - Non-hormonal Contraception - Hormonal Contraception - Emergency

Complications and Special Situations Editorials and Letters Patient Education, Self-Care Other AFP Content

Preconception Care

• Recommendations for Preconception Care (08/01/2007)
• CDC Releases Guidelines on Improving Preconception Health Care [Practice Guidelines] (12/01/2006)

Infertility

• Infertility (03/15/2007)
• IVF Therapy for Unexplained Infertility [Cochrane for Clinicians] (01/01/2006)
• Evaluation of the Subfertile Man (05/15/2003)

Contraception - Non-hormonal

• Natural Family Planning (11/15/2012)
• Advantages of the No-Scalpel Vasectomy Technique [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (06/15/2012)
• Vasectomy: An Update (12/15/2006)
• Insertion and Removal of Intrauterine Devices (01/01/2005)
• ACOG Releases Recommendations on Sterilization [Practice Guidelines] (02/15/2004)
• Diaphragm Fitting (01/01/2004)
• Counseling Issues in Tubal Sterilization (03/15/2003)

Contraception - Hormonal

General Guidance

• Guidelines for the Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives [Practice Guidelines] (02/15/2012)
• Preventing Gaps When Switching Contraceptives (03/01/2011)
• Same-Day Initiation of Hormonal Contraceptives [Cochrane for Clinicians] (10/01/2009)
• Risks and Benefits of Combination Contraceptives [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (12/01/2006)
• Initiating Hormonal Contraception (07/01/2006)
• Combined Oral Contraceptives for Mothers Who Are Breastfeeding [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (10/01/2005)

Specific Contraceptives

• Copper Intrauterine Device vs. Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate for Contraception [Cochrane for Clinicians] (01/01/2011)
• Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol (Lybrel) for Continuous Contraception [STEPS] (01/15/2008)
• Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System (Mirena) for Contraception [STEPS] (05/15/2006)
• Ethinyl Estradiol/Levonorgestrel (Seasonale) for Oral Contraception [STEPS] (04/15/2005)

Contraception - Emergency

• Ulipristal (Ella) for Emergency Contraception [STEPS] (08/15/2012)
• ACOG Recommendations on Emergency Contraception [Practice Guidelines] (11/15/2010)
• Advance Provision for Emergency Oral Contraception [Cochrane for Clinicians] (09/01/2007)
• Emergency Contraception (08/15/2004)

Complications and Special Situations

• Contraceptive Education for Women After Childbirth [Cochrane for Clinicians] (06/01/2013)
• Cardiovascular Risk of Combined Oral Contraceptive Use [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (12/15/2012)
• The Effects of Combination Contraceptives on Weight [Cochrane for Clinicians] (12/01/2012)
• CDC Updates Recommendations for Contraceptive Use in the Postpartum Period [Practice Guidelines] (12/15/2011)
• Managing Adverse Effects of Hormonal Contraceptives (12/15/2010)
• Contraception Choices in Women with Underlying Medical Conditions (09/15/2010)
• Effect of Antiepileptic Drugs on Oral Contraceptives [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (09/01/2008)

Editorials and Letters

• Is Natural Family Planning a Highly Effective Method of Birth Control? Yes: Natural Family Planning is Highly Effective and Fulfilling [Editorials] (11/15/2012)
• Is Natural Family Planning a Highly Effective Method of Birth Control? No: Natural Family Planning Methods are Overrated [Editorials] (11/15/2012)
• Physical Examination Before Initiating Hormonal Contraception: What Is Necessary? [Editorials] (07/01/2006)
• Informed Consent and Emergency Contraception [Editorials] (11/15/2000)
• Responses to Article Regarding Contraception Choices in Women [Letters to the Editor] (07/01/2011)
• Preconception Care Should Be Vital Issue for Both Sexes [Letters to the Editor] (02/01/2009)
• Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Emergency Contraception [Letters to the Editor] (07/01/2005)

Patient Education, Self-Care

• Natural Family Planning (11/15/2012)
• Side Effects of Hormonal Contraceptives (12/15/2010)
• Infertility: What You Should Know (03/15/2007)
• Vasectomy: What You Should Know (12/15/2006)

From FamilyDoctor.org

AAFP's Patient Education Resource

• Things to Think About Before You're Pregnant
• Natural Family Planning
• Birth Control Options
• Depo-Provera: An Injectable Contraceptive
• Intrauterine Device
• Tubal Sterilization
• Progestin-Only Contraceptives

Other AFP Content

• Do I Get to Decide Who Should Have a Baby? [Curbside Consultation] (03/01/2003)