HIV Med. 2026 Jul 5. doi: 10.1111/hiv.70281. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Data on women ageing with HIV in Australia are limited, particularly regarding those in midlife and experiencing menopause. The aim of this study is to describe the demographic characteristics of cisgender women living with HIV who attend the Alfred Hospital, Monash Medical Centre and Melbourne Sexual Health Centre for primary HIV care. In particular, we sought to identify whether documentation of menopausal status, menopausal symptoms, use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and comorbidity screening had occurred in these women.
METHODS: Cisgender women currently in care (defined as attending the clinic between 1/7/2022 and 1/7/2024) were identified and a medical record review was conducted to identify demographic information, menopausal status, menopausal symptoms, use of MHT and documentation of related comorbidity screening results (cervical screening test [CST], mammogram, fracture risk (FRAX), bone density (DEXA), cardiovascular disease [CVD] risk).
RESULTS: A total of 462 women were identified across the three sites. Median age was 47 years (range 20-85, interquartile range [IQR] 39-56) and the majority (342, 70%) were born overseas. Of these, 148 (32%) were pre-menopausal, 47 (10%) perimenopausal and 145 (31%) post-menopausal. Menopausal status was unable to be determined from clinical records for 122 (26%). Menopausal symptoms were documented for 70 women (age range 38-85, IQR 48-57). Cervical screening was completed in the last 3 years for 293 women (66%) aged 25-74 years, 58 (30%) over 50 years had documentation of a mammogram in the last 2 years, 105 (39%) over 45 years had CVD risk calculated and 17 (29%) over 50 years had FRAX calculated.
CONCLUSION: Approximately half the women in this study were aged 40-56 years, yet menopausal status was unable to be determined for over a quarter of the cohort. Documentation of menstrual or menopausal symptoms was poor and significant gaps were identified in comorbidity screening. Further research is needed to understand the impact of menopause on women living with HIV in Australia. Clinical guidelines need updating to include gender-specific health needs of women living with HIV and to consider the impact of menopause on comorbidity management.
PMID:42402422 | DOI:10.1111/hiv.70281