Women using oral contraception are no more likely to have an increased risk of contracting HIV infection, claims a latest study presented during the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.

Research conducted on sexually active women in South Africa and Zimbabwe found that using combined oral contraceptives reduces the risk of HIV infection in women by 12%. It was also observed that use of progestogen birth control pills increased HIV risk by 2%.

Sandra McCoy, MPH, PhD, an adjunct epidemiologist at the University of California, Berkeley, suggested that injected hormonal contraceptives if used regularly can up the HIV infection risk by 37%.

Citing the benefits of contraception, study authors said, "There are numerous benefits to effective and reliable hormonal contraception. There are significant social, economic, and health benefits, such as reductions in unwanted pregnancy, maternal morbidity and mortality, and infant mortality."

For the purpose of study, researchers compared the rates of HIV-1 progression among women using and not using hormonal contraception. "We conducted a secondary data analysis of an HIV prevention trial conducted among women in South Africa and Zimbabwe," McCoy explained.

Citing the results of the study, McCoy clarified that women who used birth control reported no effect, depending on the type of hormonal contraception. She added that the results of the study are at par with the World Health Organization recommendations of using condoms for women who are at risk of HIV infection.

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