medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use contraception is typically considered safer than pregnancy, especially in patients with medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. however, people with medical conditions may need to have contraceptive options tailored around their specific needs. resources exist for patients and providers to help tailor methods. one example of a resource is the medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (mec), which exists in multiple formats. background in 1996, the world health organization created a set of guidelines called "medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use" for family planning and reproductive health programs and providers in order to guide provision of contraceptive care worldwide. the guidelines are based on systematic reviews of the medical literature and expert opinion where evidence is lacking. the intent of these recommendations was to allow public health programs in individual countries to tailor contraceptive safety guidance to their particular populations. subsequently, in 2010, the centers for disease control and prevention created recommendations for contraceptive provision in the united states. these references may be used by medical providers as well as patients to assess their eligibility to use individual contraceptives like birth control pills, intrauterine devices, and implants. classification system the mec categorizes methods using a numerical system. category 1 conditions have no restrictions on use of a contraceptive method. category 2 indicates method use may require closer follow-up. for a category 3 condition, use of that method "usually is not recommended unless other more appropriate methods are not available or acceptable. the severity of the condition and the availability, practicality, and acceptability of alternative methods should be considered, and careful follow-up is required". category 4 conditions have an unacceptable level of risk if the method is used. format a chart summarizes the cdc recommendations regarding contraceptive use with medical conditions. (full link under