This document is the third edition of WHO's selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use. It provides guidance regarding "how" to use contraceptive methods safely and effectively. The goal of the document is to improve access to, and quality of, family planning services by providing policy-makers, decision-makers and program managers with recommendations that can be used for developing or revising national guidelines on the provision of all hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, barrier methods, fertility awareness-based methods, male and female sterilization, and emergency contraception. This document does not provide rigid guidelines but gives recommendations that provide a basis for rationalizing the provision and use of various contraceptives in view of the most up-to-date information available.