Positive Women and Sex
posted: 15/03/2010
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HIV women sex
Many women with HIV experience some sexual problems, US researchers have found. The researchers asked about 1300 HIV-positive women and 500 HIV-negative women about their sexual function and satisfaction.
Women with HIV are less likely to be satisfied with their sex lives. HIV was also found to be significantly associated with poorer sexual function. Poor health, indicated by a low CD4 cell count, seemed to be associated with lower levels of sexual functioning in women with HIV. The researchers suggest that sexual wellbeing should be monitored in routine HIV care.
What can help?
The range of medical solutions for women is more limited than for men – there’s no equivalent to Viagra - although this can help some women.. Hormonal replacement therapy may be appropriate for women after the menopause. Psychological and social causes for sexual problems among women are more common. CBT, counselling, psychotherapy all help with these – ask your HIV clinic and GP.
“Our study shows a clear link between HIV infection and sexual problems among women”, comment the investigators. They believe their research has implications for the routine care of women with HIVand therefore they suggest “there is a role for assessment of sexual problems in overall care of women with HIV infection.”
HIV & Sex booklet from NAM
Positively Women may help. Their helpline, run by women who are living with HIV, it offers good support and referrals to other services. Positively Women helpline 020 7713 0222.
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