I’m doing some research on HIV and aging, a wonderful term that one wouldn’t have expected even five years ago. I was talking a few weeks ago with several HIV+ women about their experiences. The conversation turned to symptoms: sleeplessness, night sweats, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These are typical symptoms pos people experience. But many women will deal with these symptoms during perimenopause regardless of HIV status. So the question for pos women becomes, are these symptoms HIV-related or perimenopause related? Or both? And when should you check in with your doctor?

For women with HIV there has often been a question of whether HIV itself causes change in menstrual patterns. I recently read an article on HIV and menstruation that said prior to comprehensive HIV treatment, many women experienced menstrual irregularities because of dramatic weight loss and wasting. However, for women who have access to HARRT, stabilized weight and improved health with treatment may mean an end to menstrual irregularities at a younger age than non-positive women.

May.

There’s still a lot to learn about HIV and aging for both women and men. How will HIV and long term treatment affect heart health, blood hormone levels, organs that process the drugs? How will aging affect brain function? Dementia has long been one of the frightening signs of advancing HIV disease- can better overall health mean better outcomes? Time will tell. 

And there’s still a lot to learn about perimenopause for all women. Hormone fluctuations that cause extreme symptoms may suggest hormone replacement options. Estrogen or progesterone? Research wages on. 

For now, the women I talked with agreed it’s good to be up to speed on their medications and potential side effects, and to know about what to expect in perimenopause. Some will have major symptoms and some won’t. Talking with other positive women about what’s happening can help- drop by for lunch on a Tuesday or connect with a peer support volunteer (support workers can hook you up). For research information, AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA) has a new blog dedicated to HIV and aging.

It’s a new road.

- Janet