|
Home | Medical-Newswire.Com:
|
(Medical-NewsWire.com, March 26, 2015 ) St. Louis, Mo. -- Published January 8, 2015 in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, the study included 39,500 women in sub-Saharan Africa who received depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, more commonly known as Depo-Provera. According to a news release, the study did modify their data to account for condom usage. When compared to women who had not used birth control at all or had received a non-hormonal form of birth control, women who had received Depo-Provera had a 40 percent higher risk of contracting HIV. Officials have frequently encourage HIV testing in the past.
Data released in 2010 by the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance reproductive health, reported that approximately 61,750 U.S. women used some form of birth control. Approximately 1,450 women, or 2.4 percent, use a form of contraception that is injectable, including the birth control shot. The shot is intended to protect against pregnancy for three months. However, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports that approximately 6 out of every 100 women will become pregnant.
Depo-Provera, sometimes referred to as Depo, is the most frequently used injectable form of contraception.
Studies in the review presented researchers with the ability to weigh HIV infection risk of various types of hormonal contraceptives. Study authors also examined if an increased HIV risk existed with the use of progestin only pills, combined oral contraceptives, and hormonal contraceptives, such as norethisterone oenanthate, sold under the name NET-EN.
Researchers noted that no other birth-control method was linked to an increased risk of HIV. Study authors hypothesized that birth control with higher levels of progestin could potentially alter local immunity or change the vaginal lining, thus increasing the risk of HIV. However, they did point out that further research was needed on birth control's physiological and biological effects.
Worldwide, approximately 144 million women use hormonal contraception, with nearly 41 million of them opting for an injectable form in contrast to a pill form.
Lauren Ralph, study led author, who used this research as part of her dissertation in epidemiology at UC Berkeley wrote, "The results have potentially broad implications because hormonal contraceptives remain popular for women worldwide."
However, researchers cautioned that their results didn't indicate that most women who use an injectable form of birth control should stop using it, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Ralph stated, "It can be tricky to ensure a reliable supply of contraceptives in sub-Saharan Africa. Removing Depo-Provera doesn't mean the women will have immediate access to other methods of birth control that are as effective. Ultimately, decisions around which birth-control method to use should be made between a woman and her healthcare provider."
Study authors report that future studies may concentrate on high-risk populations and the development of brand new methods of contraception, and form outreach programs to create awareness about sexual health testing.
Nancy Padian, senior author and adjunct professor of epidemiology stated in the press release, "The most important next steps for women all over the world are to examine ways to broaden women's contraceptive options and increase uptake of other safe and effective contraceptive methods, and to step up research on brand new contraceptive methods, especially those that protect against both HIV and pregnancy."
About Rapid Screening Center
Rapid Screenings Center offers sexual health testing for HIV, Herpes, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and more. RSC has over 4000 testing locations nation wide. Results typically take 2 or 3 business days. RSC has a team of medical professionals to answer questions about testing.
Rapid Screening Center
RSC Support
866-873-0879
info@rapidscreenings.com
Source: EmailWire.Com 
Source: EmailWire.com
|
|
|
|
