From 2001 to 2004, women made up more than 1 of every 4 people diagnosed with HIV in the United States
In the United States, 8 of every 10 women living with AIDS are women of color

Special health issues for women living with HIV

HIV can affect the health of the vagina, uterus, ovaries, and other parts of a woman’s body. Some health problems tend to be more serious among women with HIV compared with women who do not have HIV. These problems are:

Yeast and other vaginal infections
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and human papillomavirus (HPV)
Pelvic inflammatory disease
A precancerous condition of the uterus called dysplasia

If you are a woman and find out you are HIV+, government guidelines suggest you take these steps:

Have a complete physical exam with your woman's doctor (gynecologist) right away
Ask to have a Pap smear done right away. A Pap smear is a test that checks for cancer cells or precancer cells (cells that could become cancer) on your cervix inside your vagina
Have another Pap smear 6 months later
If both Pap smears show that you do not have any cancer or precancer cells, test once a year after that
If you have had dysplasia in the past, get a Pap smear every 6 months.

If you are having problems that are not listed here, be sure to contact a gynecologist right away. Problems with the vagina and other female troubles can be harder to treat in women with HIV. The sooner you get the care you need, the faster you will likely get better.

Pregnancy and HIV

Today, HIV treatment lets women with HIV live longer, healthier lives. And if women with HIV plan ahead, they can give birth to healthy children. With good medical care and treatment, there is only a small chance that a mother with HIV will pass the virus on to her child.

If you are a woman with HIV and are pregnant or want to have a baby, here are a few things to think about:

Work with your healthcare provider to choose an obstetrician (a doctor who takes care of pregnant women and delivers babies). Choose one who has experience caring for HIV+ women on treatment
Get tested and treated for STDs
For the health of your baby, don't drink alcohol, smoke, or use street drugs

Your local AIDS service organization (ASO) may be able to give you more information about HIV and pregnancy.

Next >> Living with pets