HIV and Problems With Your Periods

Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
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Many women, including women who do not have HIV, experience menstruation woes. HIV can cause changes in your menstrual periods. If you are experiencing any of these menstrual problems, let your doctor know.



How HIV Causes of Menstrual Problems

HIV may cause changes in your period because of the way the virus affects your immune system, which is your body’s defense system. Changes in your immune system can affect hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These hormones control your periods. The more active your HIV, the more likely you are to have problems with your period.

Your heavy periods could also be due to your HIV drugs. Having HIV can affect your periods in less direct ways too, through:

  • Stress

  • Weight loss

  • Anemia

  • Poor nutrition

  • Infections

You may have spotting or heavy bleeding if you have lesions on the cervix caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). You are more likely to have this infection if you are sexually active and have HIV.

Other Causes of Menstrual Problems

You may have menstrual problems that are not related to HIV. In fact, many women face common menstrual problems regardless of their HIV status.

Common causes of menstrual problems include:

  • Taking certain drugs, including over-the-counter, street, and prescription drugs

  • Sudden weight loss

  • Pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID), which are infections in your reproductive system

  • Non-cancerous growths such as ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids

  • Genital cancers, including ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancer

  • Thyroid problems

  • Pregnancy

  • Menopause

What to Do About Menstrual Problems

If you're having problems with your period, you need to find out why. It may have nothing to do with HIV, but finding the cause is important. Let your doctor know if you have heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods, or if you miss two periods in a row.

To find the cause, your doctor may:

Stay ahead of period problems by keeping track of your periods, keeping all your doctor appointments, and getting regular pelvic exams and Pap smears. Take care of yourself by eating healthy foods, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep.

Key Takeaways

  • Menstrual problems are more common when you have HIV.

  • HIV and its treatment can cause changes in your period. Other menstrual problems may have causes unrelated to HIV.

  • Let your doctor know about all changes in your period so you can get a thorough evaluation.

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  1. HIV Among Women. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/risk_women.pdf
  2. Menstruation, Menopause, and HIV. The Center for HIV Law & Policy. http://www.hivlawandpolicy.org/sites/www.hivlawandpolicy.org/files/Menstruation%20and%20HIV%2C%20AB....
  3. Menstrual Changes. The Well Project. http://www.thewellproject.org/hiv-information/menstrual-changes
  4. Menstrual problems. Womenshealth.gov. http://www.womenshealth.gov/hiv-aids/opportunistic-infections-and-other-conditions/menstrual-problem...
Medical Reviewer: William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Last Review Date: 2022 Feb 13
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