Living With HIV and Managing Menopause

I was only in fifth grade when I began my period. I have hated every minute of them since. Menstruating while school aged came along with embarrassing moments, like bleeding through pads and outfits simply because teachers didn't let me go to the bathroom in time.

Toward the end of high school, I transitioned to tampons. No matter the product I used, I found periods to be disgusting and uncomfortable. There are not many perks of being HIV positive, but early menopause might be one of them.

My meticulous cycle

It was not abnormal for me to bleed for a week, then stop for a week or so and then repeat. This had been going on for a while, and eventually in 2009 I began seeing my ob-gyn to find out why. It was not only medically worrisome to me, but also expensive.

They were doing ultrasounds and trying to figure out my menstrual mess. However, before we learned anything, I became pregnant and the medical research stopped.

How HIV affects menstruation and menopause

I was diagnosed with AIDS in 2010 when my CD4 was 136. According to my research, people whose CD4 is under 200 are more likely to experience irregular menstrual cycles. HIV changes hormone levels and can affect changes in one's cycle, frequency, duration, and amount of bleeding.¹

At the age of 43 my periods finally stopped all together. I was not sad one bit. From the HIV positive groups I am in, I have learned I am not alone. Other HIV positive women younger than me have experienced this also. Almost overnight, my periods were replaced with hot flashes, night sweats, and maybe increased anxiety. I know PTSD brought that into my life many years ago, so I am not sure whether it is menopause related.

Symptoms of menopause can include:^2,3

• Increased risk of vaginal infections
• Irregular bleeding like skipped periods or change in flow
• Urinary problems
• Sexual problems
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Disrupted sleep
• Low mood and depression
• Anxiety
• Trouble concentrating or remembering things
• Joint or muscle pain
• Headaches

HIV positive women may start menopause earlier than negative women and have more severe hot flashes.^2,3

The silver lining for me

I have read about hormone therapy but have no desire to look into such things yet. I don't feel physically or mentally different since I have stopped bleeding and am happy every time I go to the bathroom, wipe, and see no blood.

I embrace this part of getting older. I no longer need ugly period underwear in case I bleed through. I can say I do not miss any part of having periods or the added expense every month of needing to purchase multiple boxes of tampons or pads. I am enjoying the financial freedom of the end of my periods.