Yes. Some medical problems are more common in women with HIV. These include:
• Cervical cancer. HIV-infected women also have high rates of HPV (human papillomavirus) infection, especially those types that lead to the development of cervical cancer. Treatment with antiretroviral drugs may be able to change the course of HPV infection, but this has not yet been proven.
• Vaginal yeast infections, which may be more frequent and need longer treatment in women with HIV. Women with HIV should have yearly pelvic exams and PAP smears to look for cervical cancer. Women with HIV also need to know how to prevent pregnancy (if they do not wish to become pregnant) and how to prevent passing HIV to their babies if they do choose to get pregnant. They should talk to a doctor about family planning, including how birth control pills interact with some HIV medicines. It is especially important for pregnant women with HIV to get medical care, because there are medicines that women with HIV can take to greatly reduce the risk of their babies being born with HIV. Children with HIV infection also need medical care as early as possible.
