Assessment of climate syndrome in women living with HIV/AIDS in a reference center

Abstract

Introduction: Women living with HIV (MVHIV) have a lower mean age at menopause than the general population, in addition to more exuberant symptoms during this period. These factors can further reduce the quality of life of this population during perimenopause and negatively affect antiretroviral therapy (ART). Understanding this risk is important for medical advice at this stage, as well as for evaluating the initiation of hormonal therapy, when necessary. Objective: To evaluate the climacteric syndrome in women living with HIV/AIDS. Methods: During an endocrinological medical consultation, a clinical examination was performed, including an anthropometric physical examination, in addition to the application of a questionnaire to assess the symptoms of the climacteric syndrome and collection of hormonal values, viral load and serum CD4 cell values of 44 women, aged between 35 to 65 years old, living with HIV/AIDS. Results: The mean age at spontaneous menopause was 47.44 years, there was an association between FSH, LH and estradiol hormones and perimenopause phases. Anxiety and/or nervousness was present in 84.1% of patients and slowing of thinking in 72.7%. Skin dryness was also shown to be a significant symptom, with 75% of recurrence. Furthermore, women with skin dryness had higher FSH and LH compared to those without the symptom. Conclusion: Women living with HIV in Belém-PA had menopause 3.76 years before the expected national average and presented a high prevalence of symptoms related to cognition and mood. Other similar studies, with a larger sample size, are needed in the region to establish more reliable results.

Keywords

• hiv
• early menopause
• climacteric symptoms
• art