Daijiworld Media Network – San Francisco
San Francisco, Jun 5: Menopause care for women living with HIV remains inadequately addressed despite their higher burden of symptoms, according to a new qualitative study involving HIV care providers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The study, based on interviews with 15 HIV care providers conducted between May and September 2024, examined how clinicians discuss menopause, assess symptoms and support treatment decisions for patients undergoing the menopausal transition.
Researchers found that most providers had received little or no formal training on menopause, and none reported education specifically focused on the intersection of HIV and menopause. Many clinicians said their understanding of menopause was largely shaped by personal experience or years of practice rather than structured medical training.
The study revealed that menopause-related discussions were often initiated by patients rather than healthcare providers. Common concerns included hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, sexual health issues and other symptoms that patients did not always recognise as being linked to menopause.
Providers identified trust as a key factor in facilitating conversations about menopause, particularly when discussing sensitive topics such as sexuality and emotional wellbeing. Many also stressed the importance of trauma-informed care, noting that women living with HIV often have histories of complex trauma that may influence how they experience and discuss menopausal symptoms.
Researchers recommended that healthcare providers begin routine, provider-led conversations about menopause with women living with HIV from the age of 35 onwards to improve awareness and early support.
While most prescribing clinicians reported being comfortable recommending hormone therapy when appropriate, they also acknowledged challenges arising from evolving medical evidence and differing clinical opinions regarding treatment.
The study concluded that improved medical education, specialised menopause training for HIV care providers and better symptom-assessment tools could help strengthen care and reduce the burden on patients to initiate discussions about menopause-related concerns.