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Hormonal Contraception and HIV‐Positive Women: Metabolic Concerns and Management Strategies
Author(s) -
Womack Julie,
Richman Susan,
Tien Phyllis C.,
Grey Margaret,
Williams Ann
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1016/j.jmwh.2008.01.006
Subject(s) - hormonal contraception , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , population , family planning , intensive care medicine , family medicine , environmental health , research methodology
As HIV‐positive women live longer lives, and as testing for HIV becomes more routine, clinicians can expect to see more HIV‐positive women in their practices. The need to be aware of management issues particular to this population becomes increasingly important. Metabolic dysregulation is a common, long‐term complication associated with HIV and is one of the most difficult to manage. Hormonal contraception also is associated with metabolic dysregulation. As more HIV‐positive women choose long‐term, reversible contraception, the potential for concomitant and additive side effects, and the need for careful, proactive management strategies to avoid these complications, will become more important. This article reviews research detailing the metabolic dysfunction associated with hormonal contraception and with HIV‐seropositivity. It highlights reasons for concern regarding the potential, although as yet theoretical, increased risk for metabolic dysfunction when hormonal contraception is used in the presence of HIV. Suggestions for management strategies for women living with HIV who choose to use hormonal contraception are presented. These strategies should be viewed as suggestions for management until substantitive research becomes available.