Understanding HIV in Women: Symptoms, Signs & Early Detection

HIV is a managable disease if it is caught early so treatment can begin. The symptoms of HIV can be different in women than in men, and sometimes can disguise themselves and be hard to catch.

HIV Generic Symptoms

• For men and women, the early symptoms of HIV are rapid weight loss, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and white spots in the throat and tongue. There are also psychological symptoms like irritability and depression.

Yeast and Vaginal Infections

• Yeast and other vaginal infections become more prevalent, and often more virulent, in HIV-positive women. They are usually persistant, and are not easily treated.

Herpes and HPV Outbreaks

• Herpes and genital warts outbreaks also occur more frequently in HIV-positive women. These infections spread a lot faster and are more painful than the average breakouts. Other STDs, like gonorrhea and chlamydia, may also occur more frequently.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or PID, is a very broad term for infections in the uterus, Fallopian tubes or ovaries. Its symptoms include pain during urination and a vaginal discharge. In HIV-positive women, PID becomes a chronic condition and could lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancies.

Menstrual Irregularities

• HIV-positive women usually experience irregular periods, as well as longer and more painful periods. Usuall, cramping increases exponentially.