WHO expands contraceptive advice: longer pills, implants, mifepristone, male methods
The World Health Organisation released new guidelines expanding contraceptive options, recommending that combined oral contraceptive pills can be taken continuously for up to one year instead of the usual cyclical use, and that contraceptive implants may be used for up to five years to reduce replacement visits. WHO also endorsed mifepristone as an emergency contraceptive, effective when taken within five days of unprotected sex at doses of 10 to 50 milligrams. The guidelines stress that people should have confidence to choose, change, or stop methods based on convenience, invasiveness, behaviour, reliability and accessibility.
For Nigerians, where an estimated 164 million women who want to avoid pregnancy are not using contraception, these updates offer more tools to plan families and reduce unintended pregnancies. Expanded choices can help overcome barriers such as clinic access, side‑effects concerns, and male involvement in contraception. WHO noted that about 30 % of couples already rely on male‑controlled methods (condoms, withdrawal, vasectomy) and that over 75 % of couples would be willing to use a new male contraceptive, while more than 85 % of women would trust their male partners to take responsibility.
Individuals should discuss extended pill use, implants, or emergency mifepristone with health providers. Policymakers are urged to update national family‑planning programmes in line with the evidence, while researchers continue developing reversible male contraceptives that could reach the market within five to ten years. WHO cautioned against adding ormeloxifene or quinestrol‑containing pills due to insufficient safety evidence.