The safety of hormonal contraceptives for women living with HIV and their sexual partners
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hormonal contraceptives are important for the health and well-being of some women living with HIV, so evaluation of evidence regarding their safety vis-a-vis HIV-related risks is important. METHODS: We updated two prior systematic reviews on the impact of hormonal contraception (HC) on HIV disease progression and female-to-male HIV transmission. RESULTS: One new study finds no increased risk for HIV disease progression or death associated with oral contraceptive use [adjusted (adj) hazard ratio (HR) 0.83, confidence interval [CI] 0.48-1.44] or injectables (adj HR 0.72, CI 0.53-0.98). Three new studies did not find significantly increased risks for measures of female-to-male HIV transmission with HC use. CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal contraceptive methods do not appear to accelerate HIV disease progression. More research is needed to clarify whether HC impacts HIV transmissibility.
Authors
Phillips SJ, Polis CB, Curtis KM.
Year
2016
Topics
- Epidemiology and Determinants of Health
- Epidemiology
- Population(s)
- Women
