HIV Transmission During Menstruation: What You Need to Know

Menstrual blood itself does not transmit HIV if the woman is HIV-negative. HIV transmission requires the virus to be present in the bodily fluid.

Transmission Dynamics

• HIV+ Woman: Menstrual blood contains HIV (viral load correlates with plasma). Risk to male partner via mucosal exposure (penile urethra, foreskin) exists but is lower than vaginal/anal sex without blood. Condoms eliminate risk.
• HIV– Woman: No HIV in blood, semen, or vaginal fluids → no transmission risk from menstruation.

Other Considerations

• Menstruation may increase susceptibility to acquiring HIV (cervical ectopy, immune changes).
• Other STIs (hepatitis B/C, syphilis) can be transmitted via menstrual blood if partner is infected.

Condom use prevents HIV and other STI transmission regardless of menstrual status.