Ladies of all ages can get HIV — together with these over 50
- 1 in 4 individuals residing with HIV in the US is a girl.
- Greater than 1 in 2 new HIV diagnoses are in individuals above age 50.
Older girls are extra seemingly than youthful girls to be identified at a late stage of the illness — presumably as a result of they don’t know they’re in danger.
Later prognosis of the illness will increase the chance of HIV-related diseases and dying from the illness.
How may menopause have an effect on HIV threat?
Ladies over 50 nonetheless have intercourse.
In a latest examine, 1 in 2 individuals over the age of fifty reported having intercourse within the final week. Since being pregnant is now not a problem for post-menopausal girls, they could not take into consideration protected intercourse — or discuss it with their companions or suppliers.
This implies girls could also be much less seemingly to make use of condoms to guard themselves from HIV and different sexually transmitted infections after menopause. However girls in peri- and post-menopause could also be further weak to HIV an infection. Hormonal modifications could cause vaginal thinning and dryness, leaving vaginal tissue inclined to ripping — which will increase the chance of HIV getting into the physique throughout intercourse.
Some older girls (and their healthcare suppliers) chalk well being modifications as much as menopause once they may very well be one thing else
For instance, night time sweats are a basic menopause symptom — however they’re additionally frequent in individuals with HIV.
Stopping HIV via menopause and past
You’re by no means too previous to guard your self from HIV. Begin with these proactive steps:
- Use a condom in the event you’re undecided about your associate’s HIV standing.
- Get examined for HIV.
- Ask your HCP about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), treatment that may forestall HIV.
This instructional useful resource was created with help from Merck.
