title: Hormonal contraception and HIV-1 transmission.
abstract: Safe and effective contraceptive choices are essential for women with HIV-1 infection and at risk for HIV-1 infection. Epidemiological and laboratory-based studies suggest that hormonal contraception may influence HIV-1 transmission. Several large studies in high-risk populations indicate that hormonal contraceptive use may modestly increase the risk of HIV-1 acquisition. In addition, HIV-1-infected users of hormonal contraceptives may be more infectious to their uninfected partners, although no studies have directly measured HIV-1 transmission risk from women to men. However, several studies failed to demonstrate a link between contraceptive use and HIV-1 acquisition or transmission, and interpretation of many studies limited by methodological considerations, such as infrequent measurements of contraceptive exposure and HIV-1 status. As a result, many questions remain, and high-quality studies remain needed. It is clear that hormonal contraceptives are not protective against HIV-1 infection and that dual protection with condoms should be the goal for women using hormonal contraception.
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109, USA. cblish@fhcrc.org
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Blish
authors.forename: Jared M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Baeten
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000276:immunology; D017280:Condoms; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014621:Vagina / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal