Gynecological conditions and HIV / AIDS

October 2005     View PDF     En español

Some final words

Many GYN problems that HIV-positive women experience also affect negative women. For HIV-positive women, GYN conditions tend to be more frequent and are more serious and difficult to treat. GYN conditions may further damage the immune system. Therefore, it’s very important that your healthcare provider monitor, diagnose and treat these conditions as early as possible.

If your healthcare provider isn’t skilled at screening and diagnosing GYN conditions, it’s important that you ask for a referral to a specialist, like a gynecologist. If you go to a specialist, be sure that your HIV doctor is aware of results from GYN screening tests and any treatments you might be on for GYN conditions. Make sure that your gynecologist is aware of what medications you are taking for other conditions.

Regular exams, like Pap smears and colposcopies, are crucial since many GYN conditions lack obvious symptoms and can persist undetected. Detection and treatment at these early stages is a critical step in preventing a GYN condition from progressing. It’s just as important to monitor your own GYN health and advocate for yourself.