Women & HIV. What Are The Challenges Women Face on Treatment?

After more than 25 years and 25 million deaths, the world has yet to realize that HIV isn't just a man's problem. HIV has quietly become the third most-deadly disease for women, after heart disease and cancer. The single most significant fact that separates female PHA’s from male PHA’s is that more than 60% of women are caring for at least one child under the age of 16. Female PHA’s are also different from male PHA’s physically, psychosocially and emotionally. There is now information that states female PHA’s develop AIDS at a lower viral load than men, and in fact at a viral load below the recommended level for treatment with HAART, which makes it extremely important to treat early. The most noticeable side effects from HAART have been metabolic -- the so-called fat-redistribution syndromes, which in a woman translates to significantly enlarged breasts and abdomen. Menstrual irregularities, like amenorrhea (no menstrual periods), polymenorrhea (periods come too often) and oligomenorrhea (periods don't come often enough). Sexual function changes: decreased sexual interest, delayed or difficult orgasm. Obese women over 40 are more likely to develop lactic acidosis, which has been linked to mitochondrial toxicity due to reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Have you experienced similar or different side effects? Tell us your thoughts.