On September 23 2026, The World Health Organization (WHO) launches its new Guideline on Expanding Contraceptive Options (ECO), providing evidence-based recommendations on emerging contraceptive methods and service delivery practices.
The guideline responds to requests from Member States and partners for guidance on contraceptive methods not yet included in the Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (MEC), as well as established methods being used in ways that differ from current Selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use (SPR).
The ECO Guideline provides an evidence-informed basis for family planning and reproductive health programmes to consider whether these methods and practices should be included in their contraceptive method mix—supporting greater choice while keeping safety, effectiveness, acceptability and informed decision-making at the centre.
The Guideline Development Group: Faisal Abbas (National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan), Valeria Bahamondes (independent consultant, USA), Harriet Chanza (Credo Community Support Group, Malawi), Rodrica Comendant (Reproductive Training Center, Moldova), Galina Dikke (Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, the Russian Federation), Andy Gray (Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa [CAPRISA], University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa), Lisa Haddad (Population Council, USA), Philip Hannaford (University of Aberdeen, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Unnop Jaisamrarn (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand), Beena Joshi (National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health [NIRRCH], India), Enriquito Lu (independent consultant, the Philippines), Philip Mbithi Muia (Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya), Ashraf Nabhan (Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt), Ingrid Sääv (Stockholm County Youth Clinics, Sweden), Farida Shah (International Confederation of Midwives, Pakistan), Aparna Sridhar (University of California, Los Angeles and FIGO, USA), Nandana Suresh (White Paper Academy Alappuzha, India), Kun Tang (Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, China), Peace Samuel Umanah (International Youth Alliance for Family Planning, Nigeria).
Reference
World Health Organization (2026). WHO guidelines on expanding contraceptive options. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/387579. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO
