Contraception and HIV
March 27th 2011 12:13
A wise thing to do for individuals who have HIV is to think about helping not to spread the virus anymore. And so they have to re-evaluate their lifestyle and turn to what's best for their partners, their family, and the society.
One of the things I am referring to is sexual activity. Truly the body has its own need. A time comes when you have to fulfill that need. And not doing so is depriving yourself with your own rights. Sexual activity is one of them.
It is however imperative that individuals having such need take precautions. Use of artificial contraception is one of the most effective ways to do this. I have known people who have been using barrier contraception (condom) to protect themselves and others. Indeed if sex is inevitable, this is a way of showing responsibility.
But what about couples (both of the partners have acquired HIV), do they need contraception even if now they have been doing coitus within the confines of their relationship (no more extra-marital affairs). I would have to answer yes. Why? The women at one point could get pregnant. And poor child! We all know how vertical transmission works from mother to fetus. We don't want our own child to be getting the sickness. And so again, Imust say yes...
But I have heard women taking Oral Contraception. They claim that barrier method is not needed since their partners already had HIV and there is no use for such barrier methods. Correct. However if a woman is taking anti-retroviral therapy (ART) this may interfere with the efficacy of oral pills. Some anti-HIV drugs have been discovered to depotentiate estrogens in oral pills (Protease INhibitors like Nelfinavir is an example). The bottomline is that failure of contraception may ensue. A woman may still get pregnant. And so personally, consulting a physician is a must in order to have an appropriate method of contraception.
One of the things I am referring to is sexual activity. Truly the body has its own need. A time comes when you have to fulfill that need. And not doing so is depriving yourself with your own rights. Sexual activity is one of them.
It is however imperative that individuals having such need take precautions. Use of artificial contraception is one of the most effective ways to do this. I have known people who have been using barrier contraception (condom) to protect themselves and others. Indeed if sex is inevitable, this is a way of showing responsibility.
But what about couples (both of the partners have acquired HIV), do they need contraception even if now they have been doing coitus within the confines of their relationship (no more extra-marital affairs). I would have to answer yes. Why? The women at one point could get pregnant. And poor child! We all know how vertical transmission works from mother to fetus. We don't want our own child to be getting the sickness. And so again, Imust say yes...
But I have heard women taking Oral Contraception. They claim that barrier method is not needed since their partners already had HIV and there is no use for such barrier methods. Correct. However if a woman is taking anti-retroviral therapy (ART) this may interfere with the efficacy of oral pills. Some anti-HIV drugs have been discovered to depotentiate estrogens in oral pills (Protease INhibitors like Nelfinavir is an example). The bottomline is that failure of contraception may ensue. A woman may still get pregnant. And so personally, consulting a physician is a must in order to have an appropriate method of contraception.
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