Popular Birth Control Shot ‘DMPA’ Increases Risk for HIV

Raised HIV Risk for Women Who Used DMPA ?

A comprehensive research review revealed the necessity to replace the popular contraceptive shot known as DMPA with safer methods of contraception because it raises the risk of HIV infection among women.

In the research review by Janet P. Hapgood, Ph.D., University of Cape Town, South Africa, and Zdenek Hel, Ph.D., professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pathology, UAB School of Medicine, co-authors of the study, it is imperative to replace DMPA to curb the spread of HIV particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and other high-risk regions.

Hel said, “We have to do everything in our power to rapidly replace DMPA with a safer alternative. The word ‘replace’ is critical; DMPA cannot just be taken off the shelves as many women would be left with no available option.”

DMPA – or depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate – is the predominant contraceptive in sub-Saharan Africa, administered as a birth control shot every three months. It is estimated to be used by more than 50 million women worldwide.

DMPA Not A Safe Contraceptive?

A study revealed the impact of contraceptive injectable containing depot medroxyprogesterone acetate to women’s risk of HIV. The key result showed that DMPA increases the risk for HIV among women.

This new finding was confirmed by Hel who said, “Human studies suggest DMPA use may raise the risk of HIV infection in exposed women by about 40 percent.”

The researchers have revealed that the progestin used in DMPA – medroxyprogesterone acetate, or MPA, acts differently from other forms of progestin used in contraceptives. In the cells of the genital tract that can come in contact with HIV, MPA behaves like the stress hormone cortisol.

First author Janet P. Hapgood, Ph.D., said, “The increased rate of HIV infection among women using DMPA contraceptive shots is likely due to multiple reasons, including decreases in immune function and the protective barrier function of the female genital tract. Studying the biology of MPA helps us understand what may be driving the increased rate of HIV infection seen in human research.”

A DMPA shot, a popular contraceptive in Sub-saharan Africa.
A DMPA shot, a popular contraceptive in Sub-saharan Africa.

The Urgency to Replace DMPA Shots

The researchers suggested other forms of birth control that could rapidly replace DMPA shots. In fact, first author Janet P. Hapgood, Ph.D., stressed the need for safer contraception alternatives.

Hapgood said, “To protect individual and public health, it is important to ensure women in areas with high rates of HIV infection have access to affordable contraceptive options. Increasing availability of contraceptives that use a form of the female hormone progestin different from the one found in DMPA could help reduce the risk of HIV transmission.”

Hot this week

Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

Protest to Stop “King Trump” and ICE from deporting Murderer Child Rapists

On June 14th, in MacDonald Park, Queens, the usual...

USAID Official, Three Executives Plead Guilty to Fraud

USAID official Roderick Watson and three company executives pled...

Truth, Justice, and the Price of Peace: A Letter to Humanity From a Tired Citizen of Earth

What is the price of peace when your heart is breaking - not from rockets or protests or flags or chants but when people stop listening.

Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight – a South African Memoir

The war began in 1964. Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is set in the summer of ‘79, just before an election, with white minority rule under threat.

With Republicans in Power, Firearms Rights Advocates Push to Reform Gun Laws

Gun Owners of America, a gun rights lobby, joined...

Israel Film Festival (IFF)-June 6, 2025 Prelude Luncheon

While the world antagonizes Israel, currently fighting an existential war, the Israel Film Festival (IFF) proudly held its annual sponsor luncheon.

Unibeam Secures $6M to Replace Vulnerable SMS OTPs with SIM-Based Authentication

In a bold move to redefine digital authentication, Israeli...

Can A Boiler Explode

Boiler explosions sound like something out of a disaster...

Related Articles

Popular Categories