Does hormonal contraception raise the risk of HIV transmission? Contraceptive choice may have an impact on sexual risk-taking behaviour, of course; but there has also been a concern that vaginal epithelium thinning arising from a progesterone-induced anovulatory state may reduce the efficacity of the vaginal barrier (Mitchell & Stephens, 2004). Now a retrospective analysis of […]
Category: HIV and contraception
Hormonal contraception doubles the risk of African HIV-1 transmission
What should be the policy on hormonal contraceptives in settings where the transmission of HIV is a serious concern – e.g. in sub-Saharan Africa? Some studies have indicated the possibility of added risk of heterosexual transmission between sero-discordant partners where this method of contraception is used. But given the need to balance that risk against […]