SPS resources
SPS provides advice on medicines in reproductive health. Browse our collection below.
- Choosing a medicine to delay periods (SPS page)
- PGD / protocol templates for the supply and / or administration of contraceptives
Other resources
In addition to our own resources, we recommend the following resources. They are free to access unless otherwise indicated.
Local formulary or guidelines
Your local Area Prescribing Committee, Medicines Management Group or similar body may have relevant guidelines or documents on their website.
College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (CoSRH) website
Previously called the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH), the CoSRH website provides access to useful guidance documents. The Standards & Guidance area groups information into free categories. Most resources are free to access for users who register for an account. Useful sections are:
UKMEC (UK medical eligibility criteria) for contraceptive use
These provide evidence-based recommendations on who can use contraceptive methods safely. Information is provided as tables for each group of contraceptive methods (progestogen-only, combined hormonal, intrauterine and emergency contraception).
Each method is rated for safety for women with various personal characteristics or medical conditions (including age, smoking history, family and personal medical history).
CoSRH Guidelines and Statements
Topics include drug interactions and guidance on contraceptive choices for specific patient groups. There are also method-specific guidelines – those for oral contraceptives include missed-pill advice.
Full-text guidelines are free to access, except ‘Switching or starting contraception’ which is restricted to members only.
These documents relate to service provision such as confidentiality and record keeping.
NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries
Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) provide advice for primary care practitioners. There are several CKS topics on contraception, covering:
- assessment
- barrier methods and spermicides
- combined hormonal methods
- emergency contraception
- natural family planning, and
- progestogen-only methods
British National Formulary
The British National Formulary (BNF) includes the following treatment summaries:
- Contraceptives, hormonal
- Contraceptives, non-hormonal
- Contraceptives, interactions
- Emergency contraception
Summaries of Product Characteristics
Product information is available via electronic Medicines Compendium and MHRA. Useful SmPC sections depend on the nature of the information you need, and include drug interactions (section 4.5) and undesirable effects (section 4.8).
Further advice
If the information is not available on the SPS website or the information resources listed, or if your clinical scenario is complex, our Medicines Advice service (SPS page) may be able to help. This service is available for healthcare professionals working in NHS primary care (including community pharmacy) in England.
In secondary care, you may be able to seek advice from your Trust Medicines Information service or a directorate pharmacist.
Update history
- Republished
- Content reviewed and updated. Title changed from 'resources to support answering questions'. Page no longer solely for primary care professionals. FSRH renamed to CoSRH; some CoSRH resources require registration or membership.
- Title amended
- Published