Contraception options for people with HIV

So now you know your options. The next step is to talk to a healthcare professional. You might want to discuss your thoughts with your partner as well. 

A healthcare professional can monitor you for signs of drug interactions. You should also tell them about any other type of medication you’re taking, including herbal remedies, in case they affect your contraception. 

If there are any problems, your doctor may be able to change your HIV treatment so you can keep using the contraceptive you want. 

There are different strains of HIV. It is important to be aware that you could pass on a strain of HIV that is resistant to the type of HIV treatment that your partner is taking, or they could pass a different strain to you. 

The best way to keep each other safe is for both of you to take your HIV treatment every day so your HIV is undetectable – this means you can’t pass HIV on. 

And remember – you may still want to use a condom to prevent STIs – even if you’re using another type of contraception. 

This is up to you. Remember that condoms are the only type of contraception that stops people getting or passing on STIs.  

No. Antiretrovirals will continue to work well, no matter what type of contraception someone is using.  

If someone with HIV is thinking about using contraception, the best thing you can do is to give them clear and accurate information, which you can find above.  

The best way to speak to someone about any form of contraception is to: 

Respect their decisions: this means their decision to have sex and the type of contraceptive they choose.  

Be open: be prepared to discuss any form of contraception and let them know they can ask anything they want; you won’t judge them. 

Respect their privacy: they might feel embarrassed about discussing sex with you. If they are, connect them with a friendly healthcare professional, a helpline, or factual online resources, like this site.