Gynecologic disease in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

HIV infected women should be closely monitored for the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological diseases. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is common and may be resistant to certain treatment in HIV infected women. These women should undergo regular Pap smears and colposcopic testing when their HIV is first detected. Pelvic inflammatory disease may also be more common in HIV positive women and may require hospitalization for effective treatment. Women with HIV infection also tend to have menstrual problems, including absence of menses, excessive bleeding, and irregular cycles. Sexually transmitted diseases increase the risk of HIV infection, and HIV infection may progress differently in the presence herpes simplex virus. The relationship between vaginal infections and HIV infection is unclear, however. HIV infected women should be examined carefully for such infections. The best contraceptive methods for HIV infected women may be both a condom or diaphragm and birth control pills or tubal ligation.