Clinical considerations for menopause and associated symptoms in women with HIV

Abstract

Worldwide, more women with HIV are aging and entering menopause. Although a limited number of evidenced-based care recommendations are published, formal guidelines for the management of menopause in women with HIV are not available. Many women with HIV receive primary care from HIV infectious disease specialists, without any detailed assessment of menopause. Women’s healthcare professionals specializing in menopause may have limited knowledge regarding the care of women with HIV. Clinical considerations for menopausal women with HIV include distinguishing menopause from amenorrhea because of other etiologies, early assessment of symptoms, and recognizing unique clinical, social, and behavioral comorbidities to facilitate care management.

In Brief

Many women with HIV receive primary care from HIV infectious disease specialists, without any detailed assessment of menopause. Clinical considerations for menopausal women with HIV include distinguishing menopause from amenorrhea, early assessment of symptoms, and recognizing unique clinical, social, and behavioral comorbidities to facilitate care management.