Question: Do Hormonal Contraceptives Protect Against STD’s?
Answer:
- It is important to note that none of these hormonal methods are 100% effective
- Additionally, hormonal contraceptives do not prevent sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, Hepatitis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Herpes, Syphilis, or the HPV virus (which causes genital warts and cervical cancer)
- Using a condom, in conjunction with any of these methods, will help to prevent the transmission of many STDs as well as offer extra protection against pregnancy
According to a
large international study funded by the National Institutes of Health and recently published in the
Aids Journal, “Birth control pills and other forms of hormonal contraception do not elevate a woman's risk of contracting HIV”. This does not mean that we should assume that these methods protect us from being potentially infected. "The good news is that there doesn't seem to be an overall risk of HIV acquisition from hormonal contraceptives," said Dr. Beth Jordan, medical director of the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals in Washington, who was not involved in the study. "Hormonal contraception makes sense, but we also have to use condoms." (quoted from the article
Study Finds Risk of Getting HIV Not Raised by Birth Control Pills –
for full story)
Back to Previous FAQ: Does a Woman Need to Use Other Contraceptives While on the Pill?
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