Does contraceptive jab make HIV more likely?

Conclusion This is a well-conducted systematic review that tried to identify all studies investigating the possible link between hormonal contraceptive use and HIV. It did not find an association between HIV risk and oral hormonal contraceptive use, nor with one type of injectable progestogen contraceptive. But it did find an increased risk of HIV in studies where women used a commonly used injectable form of contraception called depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. The review had strict inclusion criteria, but the possibility of selection bias and confounding from other factors still cannot be ruled out. Only three out of the 12 studies directly set out to look at whether hormonal contraceptive use was linked to HIV. And these were still observational studies, meaning the women chose their method of contraception. The other nine studies were not designed to look for this association. As women in all of the 12 studies included chose their method of contraception, this could mean there are other differences – such as health and lifestyle – between the women who chose to use this type of contraception and those who chose to use non-hormonal methods. So the contraception may not have been the sole or direct cause of the link. Two of the studies also included high-risk women, such as commercial sex workers or women whose partner was HIV positive. Exclusion of these studies decreased the association between depot contraceptive injection use and HIV, although the link...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Lifestyle/exercise Medication Source Type: news