Women, HIV and older age

July 2002     View PDF     En español

As you age your body undergoes many changes. Some are related to genetics—if your father or grandfather had cardiovascular disease, then you’re at more risk for developing this condition. Other changes are a natural and normal result of your body merely getting older and slowing down. Also, you’re more at risk for developing a variety of conditions, like diabetes.

Some of the health changes we experience as we age are similar to some symptoms of HIV infection. The process of aging varies for everyone, but it’s not unusual for people to experience fatigue, suppressed immunity, skin conditions and nutritional problems. Some HIV side effects, like loss of fat in the face and arms, also occur naturally in some people as they age. For someone who is aging with HIV, these changes make knowing the cause and treating these conditions more difficult.

For women over 50 living with HIV, there are many unique questions and concerns. Whether you’re a woman over 50 who recently found out you were HIV-positive or you’ve been living with HIV for many years, these years can be very challenging.