TABLE World Health Organization Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use Categories for Contraceptive Eligibility
CategoryDefinitionInterpretation
With Good Resources for Clinical JudgmentWith Limited Resources for Clinical Judgment
1A condition for which there is no restriction for the use of the contraceptive methodUse method in any circumstancesUse the method
2A condition where the advantages of using the method generally outweigh the theoretical or proven risksGenerally use the method
3A condition where the theoretical or proven risks usually outweigh the advantages of using the methodUse of method not usually recommended unless other more appropriate methods are not available or not acceptableDo not use the method
4A condition which represents an unacceptable health risk if the contraceptive method is usedMethod not to be used