Menstrual Problems

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Menstrual problems are common for women with HIV. These problems may include lighter or heavier bleeding, missed periods, or more severe PMS. They can be caused by a number of things, like low CD4 cells or high viral load. The change in your immune system could affect your hormones and cause problems with your period. Weight loss, chronic disease, drug abuse, birth control, HIV drugs, uterine fibroids, itching, genital tract infections, or perimenopause could also cause menstrual problems. If you're having any of these problems, talk to your doctor to find out what's causing them.

Additional Information on Menstrual Problems:

Publications

1. Menstrual Changes (Copyright © The Well Project) - This fact sheet contains information on menstrual changes that HIV positive women can experience including, irregular periods, abnormal bleeding, missed periods, no period at all and premenstrual syndrome.

   http://www.thewellproject.com/Womens_Center/Menstrual_Changes.jsp

2. Treatment Issues for Women (Copyright © ACRIA) - This booklet was written for women living with HIV to help them understand how to prevent and treat the conditions that affect them.

   http://www.acria.org/treatment/treatment_edu_women.html

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Content last updated January 25, 2008.