The use of contraceptives other than DMPA may help reduce the risk of HIV infection among women, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and similar high-risk regions, according to a review published in the Endocrine Society's journal Endocrine Reviews.
The predominant contraceptive in Sub-Saharan Africa is depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA)--a birth control shot administered every three months. Human studies suggest DMPA use may raise the risk of HIV infection by 40 percent. Other forms of contraceptive shots do not show the same correlation with HIV infection. In this article, the authors review the underlying biological mechanisms that could contribute to increased risk of HIV infection for certain hormonal contraceptives but not others.
Birth Control Pills
Oral contraceptive or birth control pills contain hormones that prevent pregnancy. It is one of the most reliable methods of contraception.
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‘HIV infection rate may increase by 40 percent by the use of common contraceptive injection called DMPA.’
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According to UNAIDS, 36.7 million people worldwide were living with HIV as of 2016. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
"To protect individual and public health, it is important to ensure women in areas with high rates of HIV infection have access to affordable contraceptive options," said the review's first author, Prof. Janet P. Hapgood, Ph.D., of the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa. "Increasing availability of contraceptives that use a different form of the female hormone progestin than the one found in DMPA could help reduce the risk of HIV transmission."
![Use of Birth Control Pills for the Treatment of Acne]( "Use of Birth Control Pills for the Treatment of Acne")
Acne is a common skin condition that usually affects adolescents. Birth control pills can be used to treat severe acne in women.
In addition to these clinical studies, the review's authors examined animal, cell and biochemical research on the form of progestin used in DMPA--medroxprogesterone acetate, or MPA. The analysis revealed MPA acts differently than other forms of progestin used in contraceptives. MPA behaves like the stress hormone cortisol in the cells of the genital tract that can come in contact with HIV.
"The increased rate of HIV infection among women using DMPA contraceptive shots is likely due to multiple reasons, including decreases in immune function and the protective barrier function of the female genital tract," Hapgood said. "Studying the biology of MPA helps us understand what may be driving the increased rate of HIV infection seen in human research. These findings suggest other forms of birth control should rapidly replace DMPA shots."
Source: Eurekalert
Use of Birth Control Pills for the Treatment of Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that usually affects adolescents. Birth control pills can be used to treat severe acne in women.
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In addition to these clinical studies, the review's authors examined animal, cell and biochemical research on the form of progestin used in DMPA--medroxprogesterone acetate, or MPA. The analysis revealed MPA acts differently than other forms of progestin used in contraceptives. MPA behaves like the stress hormone cortisol in the cells of the genital tract that can come in contact with HIV.
"The increased rate of HIV infection among women using DMPA contraceptive shots is likely due to multiple reasons, including decreases in immune function and the protective barrier function of the female genital tract," Hapgood said. "Studying the biology of MPA helps us understand what may be driving the increased rate of HIV infection seen in human research. These findings suggest other forms of birth control should rapidly replace DMPA shots."
Source: Eurekalert
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Understanding the connection between HIV transmission and contextual social and structural factors can lead to better intervention programs.
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