Lipodystrophy syndrome(s)

November 2001     View PDF     En español

Lipodystrophy in women

There are claims that women might experience lipodystrophy at a higher rate or in different ways than men. A number of women-specific studies and studies of men and women have investigated this issue.

While non-HIV related lipodystrophies are much more common in women than men, HIV studies have yielded conflicting reports. Some suggest that women might experience lipodystrophy slightly more often while others show no difference based on gender.

While debate is ongoing as to whether women are more at risk, what seems clearer is that women and men may experience lipodystrophy differently. For example, women with body changes may be more likely to experience increases in breast size and overall weight gain than men. Certainly some men experience these same body changes, but they’re less common than in women.

On the other hand, men with changes in body shape may be more likely to experience facial and limb wasting. Also, men may be more likely to experience abnormal changes in cholesterol and triglyceride levels.