Hormonal Contraception and HIV: CDC Affirms Recommendations

In an update to the U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2010 (World Health Organization [WHO] MEC), the CDC has reevaluated the evidence about hormonal contraceptive use — including combination and progestin-only pills, injections, and implants — and risk for HIV acquisition, transmission, and disease progression in women with or at high risk for HIV. Overall, the CDC affirmed that hormonal contraception is safe, given that evidence of harm is lacking or inconsistent. However, the updated recommendations include a clarification that high-risk women who use progestin-only injections might be at excess risk for HIV acquisition and should use condoms. These guidelines are consistent with the WHO's recent statement on hormo…