The virus that causes HIV infection is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV, which spreads through bodily fluids, destroys the immune system and, if left untreated, progresses to AIDS. The first symptoms of HIV usually appear shortly after infection and disappear quickly. These initial HIV symptoms are flu-like in nature and are shared by both men and women.
However, HIV symptoms in women differ after the initial infection. HIV can affect the body in ways that cause symptoms that are unique to women, such as changes in menstrual cycles and an increase in vaginal infections.
Women may experience health changes that are distinct from those experienced by men during chronic HIV infection. While complications may not appear for a long time, they can develop—and there are several HIV-related health changes that are specific to women during chronic HIV infection.
1. Menstrual cycle changes
If you have HIV, you may notice changes in your menstrual cycle. Women living with HIV may experience missed periods. They may also experience lighter or heavier bleeding than they did before becoming infected. Women living with HIV are also more likely to experience severe premenstrual syndrome symptoms.
2. An increase in vaginal infections
Women with HIV are more likely than women without HIV to develop vaginal yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Yeast infections that occur at least four times per year, indicating recurrence, are more common in women with advanced HIV.
Women who have HIV are also more likely to develop BV, a condition in which the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted.
3. Recurring STIs
If you have HIV, you are more likely to contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as genital herpes and pelvic inflammatory disease. You're also more likely to develop more symptoms of these diseases. If you have HIV, STIs may be more difficult to treat.
4. Early menopause
Menopause is considered to have occurred when you have not had your period for 12 months. In the United States, the average age for menopause is 52 years old. Women with HIV, on the other hand, tend to enter menopause earlier.
The transitional period between menopause and menopause is marked by a number of changes, including the onset of hot flashes. A hot flash is when you suddenly feel the heat in your upper or entire body. The sensation can last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes and occur at different frequencies. However, women with HIV typically experience more severe hot flashes than those who do not have the virus.
5. Faster bone loss
People living with HIV lose bone faster than those who do not. This is especially true for HIV-positive women. Even in the absence of HIV, women tend to lose bone faster than men due to hormonal changes that occur after menopause. As a result, having HIV can exacerbate bone loss in women.
6. Increased cervical cancer risk
Cervical cancer, which begins in the cervix, is more common in HIV-positive women. This is due to the fact that human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of cancer, and women with HIV are more likely to have cancer-causing HPV.
Because of this increased risk, it is recommended that women with HIV consult with a healthcare provider about the best Pap smear screening schedule. Some guidelines, for example, recommend having two pap smears in the first year after diagnosis, followed by one Pap smear every year after that if the first two screenings were normal.
The Bottom Line
HIV symptoms in women can begin similarly to those in men. The first sign of HIV can be night sweats, muscle aches, a sore throat, and other flu-like symptoms that appear two to four weeks after exposure and last for a few days to several weeks.
Following that, no other symptoms are possible. However, women can experience complications from HIV in ways that men do not. Women may experience reproductive health effects such as menstrual cycle changes, early menopause, and increased vaginal infections. They are also more likely to develop cervical cancer and bone loss. Even if they use ART, women may experience medication side effects that differ from those experienced by men, such as interactions with hormonal birth control.
