Hormonal contraception and HIV risk

Contradictory evidence concerning the use of hormonal contraception and its possible impact on the risk of infection with HIV was presented to the International AIDS Conference.

Research published last year showed that women who used hormonal contraception had an increased risk of infection with HIV and were also more likely to transmit the virus.

A re-analysis of the results of this study confirmed the association between hormonal contraception and an increased risk of acquiring HIV.

The association between the use of hormonal contraception and HIV risk remained significant when taking into account rates of unprotected sex.

However, a meta-analysis of studies looking at the risk of HIV and the use of hormonal and non-hormonal forms of contraception failed to find any definitive evidence that hormonal contraception increased the chances of infection with HIV.

The point was made that access to reliable contraception is important for women, and that any possible HIV risk has to be balanced with the availability of effective contraception. 

reposted from AIDS 2012