The We are Still Here – Older Women with HIV campaign, together with the Sophia Forum, have published a Guide to Menopause for Women Living with HIV.
Some symptoms of the menopause can be similar to those of HIV, leading some women with HIV to worry that their HIV is no longer under control. In addition, some women with HIV may experience an exacerbation of existing mental health problems during menopause.
HIV does not affect women’s experience of menopause, the guide notes: the experience of women with HIV is as varied as those without. Many types of hormone replacement therapy can be safely used by women with HIV.
The guide was developed in conjunction with women living with HIV and specialist HIV and menopause clinicians and other therapists. It covers menopause symptoms and treatments, with an emphasis on hormone replacement therapy.
The publication also contains links to other resources on HIV and the menopause, including the 2018 publication by the British Menopause Society – HIV and the Menopause, and the NAM fact sheet of the same name.
