Version 1.5, revision planned in 2013.
Last revised in March 2009
October 2010 — minor update. From mid-October 2010, Nexplanon® will replace Impanon®. Nexplanon® is bioequivalent to Implanon®. The main differences are that Nexplanon® is radio-opaque, and the insertion technique is different [FSRH, 2010]. Issued in October 2010.
September 2010 — minor update. A prescription for Rigevidon®, another new ethinylestradiol plus levonorgestrel combined oral contraceptive pill, has been added. Issued in September 2010.
June 2010 — minor update. A prescription for Levest®, a new ethinylestradiol plus levonorgestrel combined oral contraceptive pill, has been added. Issued in June 2010.
March 2010 — minor update. Results of the updated Cochrane systematic review on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for dysmenorrhoea have been updated in the Supporting evidence section. Issued in March 2010.
June 2009 — minor update. Correction to prescription title. Issued in June 2009.
December 2008 to March 2009 — converted from PRODIGY guidance to CKS topic structure. The evidence-base has been reviewed in detail, and recommendations are more clearly justified and transparently linked to the supporting evidence.
Progestogen-only contraceptives are now recommended as an alternative to combined oral contraceptives.