Does HIV Affect Women Differently than Men?

There is very little research available on this topic, but it is always increasing. If you are a woman with HIV, there are a few facts you should know:

• Men are 8 times more likely to have Kaposi's sarcoma, a cancer-like disease of the skin
• Bacterial pneumonia is more common in women with HIV than men with HIV
• Women with HIV tend to have a lower viral load and lower CD4 counts at diagnosis than men with HIV
• Women with HIV and men with HIV benefit equally from treatment
• Some side effects of medication, like rash, tend to be worse in women

While the causes of the differences between women with HIV and men with HIV are often complex, some of them can be linked to the chemical differences between the sexes.

Gynecological Issues in Women with HIV

If you are a woman with HIV, you should know that HIV can also affect your gynecological health. Certain conditions tend to be more serious among women with HIV compared to women without HIV, such as:

• Yeast and other vaginal infections
• Common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HPV
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Dysplasia, a precancerous condition of the female reproductive system

The federal government has made a few suggestions for women with HIV and their gynecologists to follow:

• If you test HIV+, schedule a complete physical exam with your gynecologist right away
• Ask your gynecologist to do a Pap smear right away
• Have another Pap smear 6 months later
• If both Pap smears are negative, test once a year after that
• If you have had dysplasia in the past, get a Pap smear every 6 months

If you are having additional problems that are not listed here, be sure to contact your gynecologist right away. Vaginal and gynecological conditions tend to be more difficult to treat in women with HIV, and the earlier you get the care you need, the better your chances for a quick recovery.

Pregnancy and HIV

Advances in HIV treatment have made it possible for women with HIV to have long and productive lives. Many of these women also go on to have healthy and happy children. With proper use of today's HIV medications and good medical care, there is a small chance of a mother with HIV passing the infection on to her child. If you are HIV+ and pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant, here are a few things to consider:

• Work with your healthcare provider to find an obstetrician that is familiar with HIV treatment
• Get tested and treated for sexually transmitted diseases
• Don't drink, smoke, or use recreational drugs
• If you are trying to get pregnant, take vitamins containing folic acid or calcium. These can reduce birth defects
• Form a support network of friends, family, doctors, and others

If you are HIV+ and pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant, your local AIDS Service Organization (ASO) may be able to provide you with additional information about HIV and pregnancy as well as support groups in your area.

Also, check out Preventing HIV Infection for more information about protecting your baby from HIV infection.