Birth control shot increases the risk of HIV

Transitioning away from a popular contraceptive shot known as DMPA could help protect women in Sub-Saharan Africa and other high-risk regions from becoming infected with HIV, according to a research review. The predominant contraceptive in Sub-Saharan Africa is depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) -- a birth control shot administered every three months.

Human studies suggest DMPA use may raise the risk of HIV infection by 40 percent. Other forms of contraceptive shots do not show the same correlation with HIV infection. Increasing availability of contraceptives that use a different form of the female hormone progestin than the one found in DMPA could help reduce the risk of HIV transmission. In addition to these clinical studies, the review's authors examined animal, cell and biochemical research on the form of progestin used in DMPA -- medroxprogesterone acetate, or MPA.

The analysis revealed MPA acts differently than other forms of progestin used in contraceptives. MPA behaves like the stress hormone cortisol in the cells of the genital tract that can come in contact with HIV. 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.
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Causes of vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness can lead to discomfort during sex, difficulty reaching orgasm, reduced sex drive, frequent urination and repeated urinary tract infections UTIs. Dryness affect about half of postmenopausal women. The change causes estrogen levels to decline, along with the levels of other steroid hormones, according to the International Society for Sexual Medicine.

These decreases makes the vaginal tissues thinner, drier, less elastic and more fragile, causing discomfort during intercourse. The use of silicone-based vaginal moisturizers and lubricants, or a local vaginal estrogen treatment may help menopausal women. The use of lubricant without glycerin can also help.

Birth control is one of the most common causes of vaginal dryness in young women, how the pill or Nuva ring works, suppressing estrogen and testosterone hormones may cause dryness. The use of an intrauterine device (IUD) may be the best option, it does not contribute to vaginal dryness,
A cold or flu can dehydrate the body and contribute to vaginal dryness.

Estrogen levels can temporarily decrease after giving birth and make vagina feel drier than usual. Breastfeeding increases prolactin, a hormone that causes breast milk production, which in turn suppresses estrogen and testosterone, which can lead to vaginal dryness.

Research shows that smoking can cause vaginal dryness because it destroys estrogen in the body. A cigarette habit also affects blood circulation, resulting in the vagina and other tissues not getting enough oxygen. Women who smoke experience menopause earlier.
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Hormonal IUDs have no effect on breastfeeding

Having a hormonal intrauterine device IUD implanted immediately after birth does not affect a woman's ability to lactate and breastfeed.

Early placement of a hormonal IUD is safe, it is along-term birth control method that doesn't negatively affect women who want to breastfeed their baby.

Women's milk did not come in later if they received a hormonal IUD immediately after giving birth compared to women who received the same type of IUD several weeks after delivery.

Researchers examined women that received IUD one hour after delivery and those that delayed for one month,
they discovered that early IUD placement is prone to dislodged.

Women who had IUDs placed immediately after birth had a higher rate of losing the birth control device compared to the women who received them later.

 There is no difference in breastfeeding for those that received it immediately and those that received later. IUD hormone prevents unintended pregnancy.
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