Product News and Recalls

Federal agency finds no link between birth control, HIV

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found no clear link between HIV and use of contraceptives such as the birth control pill and Depo-Provera shots.

According to a Reuters report, recent studies have suggested that the use of hormonal contraceptives could increase the risk of women contracting HIV. But after reviewing the studies, CDC issued a statement to the effect that “the evidence does not suggest” a link between oral contraceptives such as the birth control pill and increased HIV risk.

But some studies have linked birth control pills to other types of health problems. For example, most birth control pills carry a risk of potentially deadly blood clots – as does pregnancy itself.

A number of studies indicate that pills with the artificial hormone drospirenone carry up to three times greater risk of those blood clots than other types of birth control pills on the market. Pills with drospirenone include Yasmin, Yaz, Beyaz and Ocella.

According to the Reuters report, the CDC found no conclusive link between birth control and HIV, and would no issue a warning without any evidence suggesting such a suggestion. The World Health Organization recently reached a similar conclusion, Reuters reports.

The CDC said that all women at risk of contracting HIV and particularly those using the injectable forms of hormonal birth control, should make sure their partners use condoms as a safeguard against HIV infection.

Patients should consult their doctors before making any changes in their medication. A consultation with a Beyaz lawyer is also important if there are significant injuries.

See the Reuters report here:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/22/contraceptives-hiv-risk-birth-control_n_1617011.html