A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases suggests that use of injectables may double the risk of uninfected women acquiring HIV and of HIV-infected women transmitting the virus to their uninfected partners.

For now, international health organizations and donors, including WHO, UNAIDS, and USAID, caution against making hasty changes to contraceptive policy or practice. (See also USAID's statement in French or Spanish.) WHO is convening a Technical Consultation from 31 January to 1 February 2012 to examine all evidence related to the potential effects of hormonal contraception on HIV acquisition, transmission, and disease progression, and will decide whether modifications need to be made to current WHO guidance. [read more]