Women have some unique issues with regard to HIV.

• Mother-to-child HIV transmission. Women can pass HIV to their babies during
• pregnancy
• delivery
• breast-feeding
• Biological differences
• The lining of the vagina provides a large area of contact for potential exposure to HIV-infected semen.
• Some diseases or disorders of the female reproductive tract make HIV more serious.
• Vaginal infections (yeast, bacterial vaginosis)
• Other sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Menstrual cycle changes (no cycles or heavy bleeding)
• Human papillomavirus infections
• Social differences. Women may lack power in sexual relationships and may
  • have sex against their will
  • have sex without a condom, against their will
  • have sex with a man without knowing whether he has high-risk behaviors (unprotected sex with men, sex with many other partners, injection drug use)
  • trade sex for drugs or money
  • be unable to talk to their partners about abstinence, faithfulness, and condom use

Interviews with women have shown the following:

• Referring women with HIV/AIDS to experienced HIV/AIDS providers (including dentists) may lead to better care.
• The time of diagnosis is a critical moment to inform, support, and connect women with HIV/AIDS to services.
• Mental health services can play an important role for women with HIV/AIDS.
• The availability of Medicaid and AIDS Drug Assistance Programs may help low-income women with HIV/AIDS connect to the care and services they need.
• Many women want more information and are most likely to get it from doctors, other women with HIV/AIDS, the Internet, television, and radio.
• Women often place the needs of their family above their own health needs.
• Women with HIV/AIDS have needs beyond medical care.
• Child care
• Transportation to care and treatment services
• Latina woman may need special outreach. They may be reluctant to seek information and help because of language barriers or immigration concerns.

The following areas are key to HIV prevention in women:

• Prevention
• Getting HIV prevention messages to younger women and women of color
• Emphasizing HIV and women in public education
• Care and treatment
• Improving access to care and support services for women
• Supporting women’s roles as caregivers and mothers
• Integrating HIV care with reproductive health care and other key services
• Research
• Determining the major research gaps for women at risk for and living with HIV
• The participation of women, especially women of color and young women, in clinical trials
• General
• Raising awareness of the issue of women and HIV in the United States
• Ensuring adequate funding mechanisms
• Eliminating gender disparities