Is going through menopause different for women living with HIV?
 

Women with HIV go through menopause at a similar age to women who do not have HIV.  If you have HIV, the experiences and symptoms you have as you become menopausal should not be different from women who are not HIV positive.  Because becoming menopausal can make some women feel depressed and anxious, some women living with HIV may be more troubled by anxiety and depression and may find that these symptoms become worse during this time.

 

As explained above, every woman’s symptoms through menopause are different. You may be fortunate and not experience many symptoms even if you have HIV, or you may have several symptoms for many years.  Some women living with HIV struggle with their menopausal symptoms and they may find it hard to manage their HIV. Sometimes it is difficult to take HIV medicines, or to go to clinic appointments, which can make your health worse. If this happens to you, speak to the nurse or doctor at your HIV clinic and ask them to help you with your menopausal symptoms. Importantly HIV treatment still works well when you are going through the menopause.

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