Sexual and reproductive health

Hormonal contraception and HIV

Mengistu Asnake/Photoshare

A health worker inserts an implant into a client's arm in Ethiopia

Following new findings from recently published epidemiological studies, WHO convened a technical consultation regarding hormonal contraception and HIV acquisition, progression and transmission. The expert group reviewed all the available evidence and agreed that the data were not sufficiently conclusive to change current guidance. However, because of the inconclusive nature of the body of evidence on possible increased risk of HIV acquisition, women using progestogen-only injectable contraception should be strongly advised to also always use condoms, male or female, and other HIV preventive measures. Expansion of contraceptive method mix and further research on the relationship between hormonal contraception and HIV infection is essential.

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Promoting family planning

The health staff provides counseling services on family planning in Vietnam

Nguyen Quoc Phong/Courtesy of Photoshare

Family planning counseling services in Vietnam

Family planning allows people to attain their desired number of children and determine the spacing of pregnancies. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility. It is estimated that over 200 million couples do not use contraceptives, despite wanting to space or limit their childbearing.

World contracptive use 2010

Safety and efficacy of contraceptives

CCP/Courtesy of Photoshare

A family planning provider explains the use of an intrauterine device in a clinic (Egypt)

The UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) continues to play an important role in the development and evaluation of the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of contraceptives.

As the needs of couples for reliable and acceptable methods of contraception and infertility services increase, and considering the varying involvement of the private sector, the role of WHO and its public sector and academic partners becomes increasingly significant.

Social science and operations research

UNFPA/Carina Wint

Indigenous people attend a health clinic in Western Panama.

A consensus is growing that access to care may not be enough to improve poor reproductive health indicators and that quality of services may be a key determinant of reproductive health outcomes.