Barrier Methods

Reading Room

Recommendations for Contraceptive Use

Barrier Methods

Q.4. How soon postpartum or postabortion can spermicides be used?

Recommendations

Rationale

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Eligibility Criteria, spermicides can be used any time postpartum or postabortion.

Although some providers recommend that spermicide should not be used until six weeks after delivery or abortion, and after healing and uterine involution are complete, there is no evidence to support this practice.

Use of a spermicide by breastfeeding women both prior to and after six weeks postpartum and use after a first, second or post septic-abortion are WHO Category 1. Thus, the WHO recommends the use of spermicides in any of these circumstances. By extrapolation, nonbreastfeeding women can use spermicides any time postpartum as well.

World Health Organization. Improving access to quality care in family planning: medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use. Geneva: WHO, 1996.

Any part of Recommendations for Updating Selected Practices in Contraceptive Use may be reproduced or adapted to meet local needs without prior permission from the TG/CWG Secretariat, provided the TG/CWG is acknowledged and the material is made available free of charge or at cost.

Last Updated: 09 Jul 2003

URL: http://www.reproline.jhu.edu/
Reproductive Health Online (ReproLine): a family planning and reproductive health training website