Recent study has found that women who use contraceptive injections are at an increased risk of contracting HIV.
The study, conducted on more than 39 500 sub-SaharanAfrican women found that women using the depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera) injection forbirth control are exposed to an additional 40% risk of contracting HIV than women using other forms of contraceptives.
Researchers from the University of California, Berkley School of Public Health analysed the pooled results of 12 observational trials to confirm the link between contraceptive injection and higher chances of contracting HIV.
The research also found that sex workers who use the
injection were at an even greater risk to contracting HIV.
Globally, around 41 million of the 144 million women who use hormonal contraception opt for injectable forms of birth control over the pill.
The injection is the most popular form of birth control in South Africa with at least 75% of women using this form of contraception.
Researchers are unable to explain why the increased risk was seen among women using Depo-Provera and not in other forms of hormonal contraception, but the authors of the study suggest that birth control with higher levels of progestin (the synthetic form of the natural hormone progesterone) possibly
changes the vaginal lining or alters local immunity, increasing, the risk of HIV infection.
Despite the findings, lead study author Lauren Ralph says the research doesn’t merit withdrawing this type of birth control at the expense of denying millions of women access to a product that protects women against unwanted pregnancy.
“There are significant risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth as well. It can be tricky to ensure a reliable supply of contraceptives in sub-Saharan Africa.
Removing Depo-Provera doesn’t mean the women will have immediate access to other methods of birth control that are as effective.
Ultimately, decisions around which birth control method to use should be made between a woman and her healthcare provider.
“Further evidence regarding the magnitude and mechanisms of the depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and HIV link among high-risk women, such as commercial sex workers and women in serodiscordant partnerships (where one partner is HIV- positive and the other is HIV-negative) is urgently needed.”
The World Health Organisation has advised health
professionals to inform women at high risk of HIV that
contraceptive injections “may or may not increase their risk of HIV acquisition,”
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