Now that the contraceptive implant will work for 5 years, what are the new WHO rules on pills and emergency drugs?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidelines to help people around the world avoid unwanted pregnancies and choose the right options. The main objective of these guidelines is to make contraceptive options easy, safe and available to as many people as possible. The whole WHO report can be understood in two main parts from the perspective of women and men.

1. What about women?

New and better contraceptive methods for women: There are about 164 million women in the world who do not want to become mothers or do not want to delay pregnancy, but do not have contraceptive options. To help them, WHO has discussed some changes.

Long-term medications

Generally, contraceptive pills (oral pills) are taken according to each menstrual cycle. But according to new guidelines, it can be taken continuously for 6 months to 1 year without stopping.

Long Lasting Implants: It is now advised to use the contraceptive implant for 5 years. This will relieve women from frequent hospital visits and expenses.

Emergency Pills: Mifepristone (10-50 mg) has been recommended as an emergency option after unprotected intercourse. It should be taken as soon as possible, within 5 days after intercourse.

Certain drugs are banned for safety reasons: The WHO has said that drugs that do not have sufficient evidence or safety records should be avoided. For example, more research is still needed on the drug ‘ormeloxifen’, while a pill called ‘quinestrol’ has been strictly advised not to be included in national programs due to its serious side effects.

2. What about men?

Male Participation and Gender Equality (Gender Equality) WHO believes that the choice or discontinuation of contraception is the right of every human being and this is an issue related to gender equality. Until now the entire responsibility of contraception has been placed on women, which needs to change.

Limited resources, yet great partnerships: Men today have very limited means such as condoms, sterilization or withdrawal. Despite this, 30% of couples around the world are dependent on men as substitutes.

Change in men’s thinking: There is an old belief in society that men do not want to use contraception. But this has been proven wrong in a WHO survey. In the survey, more than 75% of couples believed that men were ready to adopt a new contraceptive. At the same time, 85% of women said they fully trust their male partner for this responsibility.