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CDC said Thursday its review of
available evidence indicates that hormonal contraceptives are safe for use by
women at risk for HIV. However, the agency “strongly” encourages the use of
condoms to prevent infection.
Recent studies have suggested that
hormonal contraceptives could increase HIV infection risk in women. In October,
a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases suggested that hormonal
contraceptives, chiefly the injectable forms, could double a woman’s risk of
contracting HIV, as well as the risk that an HIV-positive woman would transmit
the virus to a partner. But after conducting the review, CDC said “the evidence
does not suggest” a link between oral contraceptives and increased HIV risk.
The evidence for injectable contraceptives, like Depo-Prover, is inconclusive.
“It’s hard to conclusively say
whether or not there is an increased risk” from hormonal contraceptives, said
CDC Medical Officer Dr. Naomi Tepper. “Because we can’t say from the evidence
that there is an increased risk, they are all still considered safe, including
the injectables.”
Women at risk for HIV or who already
have the virus “can continue to use all hormonal contraceptive methods without
restriction,” said CDC.
“All women, if they don’t want to
become pregnant, should be using an effective method of contraception,” Tepper
noted. “And they also should be using something to protect against HIV or
sexually transmitted infections.”
CDC’s conclusion about the safety of
hormonal contraceptives and HIV risk is similar to one reached by the World
Health Organization last February.
[PNU editor’s note: The study,
“Update to CDC’s US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2010:
Revised Recommendations for the Use of Hormonal Contraception Among Women at
High Risk for HIV Infection or Infected with HIV,” was published in CDC’s
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2012;61(24):449-452).]
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit:
http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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