Reflections on a specialist HIV menopause service: Experiences of managing menopause in women living with HIV: Experiences of managing menopause in women living with HIV.
HIV Med
; 23(4): 426-433, 2022 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35249262
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
We describe here characteristics and clinical outcomes of women living with HIV attending an HIV menopause service.METHODS:
This was a retrospective case note review of women attending the monthly HIV menopause clinic from January 2015 to July 2018.RESULTS:
In all, 55 women attended the service. The overall mean age was 49 years; 50% were black and 20% had a previous AIDS-defining condition. All were on antiretroviral therapy (ART); the median CD4 count was 678 cells/µL; 93% had a viral load < 50 copies/mL; 7% had previous hepatitis C infection; 27% had a history of smoking; 45% had risk factors or existing cardiovascular disease; 24% had a mental health condition. The median duration of symptoms before clinic attendance was 18 months. Vasomotor symptoms (84%), menstrual cycle changes (62%), psychological (56%) and urogenital symptoms (29%) were reported. Twenty-two per cent had early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency. The mean age at attendance of women diagnosed with menopause (n = 24) was 52 years. However, their average duration of symptoms prior to review was 28 months. A total of 61% had osteopenia/osteoporosis, 73% received menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), and 73% had symptomatic improvement, although 58% of these required higher doses of MHT. Median time on MHT was 10 months. Five patients had their ART modified. No serious MHT adverse effects were observed.CONCLUSIONS:
Menopausal hormone therapy uptake was high, with most women observing an improvement in symptoms. Comorbidities were common, highlighting the need for integrated care based on a woman's needs. The long delay from initial symptoms to treatment demonstrates the need for better access to specialist advice for women experiencing menopause.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Menopausa Precoce
/
Infecções por HIV
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
HIV Med
Assunto da revista:
SINDROME DA IMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA (AIDS)
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido