Background In the menopausal transition, the occurrence of insomnia, genito-urinary, psychological and.vasomotor symptoms may occur and this may be aggravated by the diagnosis of HIV infection.

Methods Cross-sectional study including 273 HIV-infected and 264 HIV uninfected Brazilian women. They were submitted to an interview to assess climacteric symptoms, socio-demographic characteristics and weight and height measurement.

Results The average age was 47.7 ± 5.8 years in HIV seropositive women and 49.8 ± 5.3 years in seronegative (p < 0.001). Bivariate analysis showed a lower prevalence of vasomotor symptoms in the HIV-positive Group (p = 0.009), specifically hot flushes (p < 0.002) and sweating (p = 0.049). Vaginal dryness was less prevalent in HIV-positive (p < 0.005). Depression and insomnia showed no statistical difference. Multiple analysis showed that hot flushes were associated with being in peri or postmenopause (RP = 2.12, 95% IC = 1.52 – 2.94, p < 0.001). The complaint of vaginal dryness was inversely associated with marital status (RP = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.49 –0.90, p = 0.007), and directly associated with age (RP = 1.03, 95% IC = 1.01 – 1.06, p = 0.017) and being in peri-and postmenopause (RP = 1.69, 95% IC = 1.10 –2.60, p = 0.016). Depression was inversely associated with performing work (RP = 0.74, CI = 95% 0.58 –0.96, p = 0.022) and directly associated with the presence of chronic diseases (RP = 1.30, IC 95% = 1.01–1.067, p = 0.043). Insomnia was associated to IMC (RP = 0.96, CI 95% = 0.95–0.97, p < 0.001) and peri-or postmenopausal (RP = 1.48, 95% CI 1.11 –1.97, p = 0.008). The serological status in relation to HIV has not been associated with any climacteric symptoms evaluated.

Conclusions HIV infection in these groups was not associated with vasomotor symptoms, genito-urinary, psychological, and insomnia.