Source: Thailand Medical News Nov 11, 2019 5 years, 1 week, 3 days, 21 hours, 20 minutes ago
A new study demonstrates that women with
HIV are more likely to enter the
menopause transition at an average age of 48 years, 3 years younger than the general population. Study results are published online in
Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
Typically, newly diagnosed
HIV-positive patients who adhere to the latest therapy protocols are expected to live into their mid-70s or longer. That means these patients are now faced with aging issues that affect sexual and reproductive health, including
menopause.
The average age of
menopause in Canada and the United States is between 50 and 52 years and globally the figure stands at 52 years. Previous studies have shown that women living with
HIV are at an increased risk of early (age between 40 and 45 y) and premature (age <40 y)
menopause (also known as primary ovarian insufficiency). However, this study from Canada is the first known study to determine the average age of
menopause for
HIV patients, the prevalence of early
menopause (between 40 and 45 y) and premature
menopause (before 40 y), and other correlates influencing age at
menopause.
Medical researchers confirmed that women living with
HIV experience
menopause at a younger age, specifically 48 years, roughly 3 years earlier than uninfected women. This population additionally had higher rates of early
menopause and premature
menopause. In addition, lower education and hepatitis C coinfections were also shown to influence the risk of early
menopause, with other possible modifying factors including marital status and region of birth.
As
menopause is associated with changes in mood, sexual function, reduced quality of life, and increased the risk of developing other comorbidities such as heart disease and osteoporosis, a woman's increased risk of early
menopause has implications for
healthcare practitioners planning their care.
Study results appear in the article "Prevalence and correlates of early-onset
menopause among women living with
HIV in Canada."
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director in an exclusive interview, told
Thailand Medical News, "
Healthcare practitioners should be aware of the increased risk for premature and early
menopause in their female patients living with
HIV in order to provide appropriate counseling and management, given the known increased risk for potential adverse long-term health consequences associated with early
estrogen deprivation."
