UNAIDS calls for urgent analysis and more research on hormonal contraceptives and HIV infection risk

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is following with concern data from recent studies suggesting that women using hormonal contraceptives are at increased risk of acquiring HIV infection from their partners and transmitting HIV to them. The benefits of quality hormonal contraception have been repeatedly demonstrated and must be considered while evaluating the potential for increased risk of HIV infection.

All women should have access to safe family planning methods to meet their sexual and reproductive health needs. Access to safe contraception is also vital to reducing maternal and infant mortality and contributes to decreasing new HIV infections in children.

There have been a number of studies on the impact that hormonal contraceptives may have on the risk of HIV infection. Some have shown increased risk while others have shown no significant increase in risk of HIV infection. The studies must be further analyzed to guide policy decisions and to determine the programmatic implications.