Pharmacologic strategies to use the levonorgestrel implant in HIV-infected women

The use of hormonal contraceptives presents a significant challenge for the estimated 16 million HIV-infected women of childbearing age due primarily to drug interactions that can be caused by medications used to treat HIV. Based on our preliminary data, certain drug interactions appear to increase the chance of pregnancy while using hormonal contraceptives. To address this, our proposed study will evaluate practical strategies for the use of a levonorgestrel contraceptive implant, which is the most widely available hormone implant in low and middle-income countries, in HIV-infected. Thus, our results will guide co-management of these important medications, and are thereby expected to reduce unintended pregnancies, improve maternal and child mortality, and decrease the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission.