Sexual dysfunction in women with HIV
- 1St Mary’s Hospital, London, UK
- 2Cape Town, South Africa
- Correspondence to: Dr David Goldmeier Jane Wadsworth Sexual Function Clinic, Jefferiss Wing, St Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK; david.goldmeierst-marys.nhs.uk
Not discussing sexual problems in women with HIV is all too easily done
By the end of 2003 it was estimated that 37 million adults were infected with HIV, of whom 27 million resided in sub-Saharan Africa.1 Twice as many women are infected as men.2 Untreated, they will inevitably fall sick and die. However, in the earlier stages of the disease and in those with access to combination antiretroviral chemotherapy, quality of life issues such as sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction are important.
What is known about sexual dysfunction in women with HIV? The answer is probably very little.
The National Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles Survey (2000) in the United Kingdom, which surveyed 11 161 of the general population between the ages of 16–44, found that 54% of women with one or more current sexual partners had at least one sexual problem for a month over the previous year and that …
