WHO updates guidance on hormonal contraceptive use for women at high HIV risk

The World Health Organization has revised its guidance on contraceptive use to take into account new evidence that women at high risk of HIV can use any form of reversible contraception without an increased risk of HIV infection.

Previously, WHO recommended extra consideration when giving the progestogen only injectable contraception Depo-Provera to women at high risk of HIV because it increased the risk of HIV transmission. But WHO said it no longer considered that there is sufficient evidence of negative health effects.

But the new advice1 recommends “correct and consistent” use of condoms where there is a risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, because progestogen only …