Women & HIV

Women who are HIV positive may experience the following symptoms:

Persistent yeast infections
Persistent vaginal infections
Menstrual irregularities
Severe herpes simplex virus
Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which can cause genital warts or cervical cancer.

Biology and body fluids

Men and women have a different anatomy so women’s bodies often respond differently to the same illnesses or infections. For example, during vaginal sex, with all other factors being equal, a woman can be at a higher risk for contracting HIV than a man. Here are some reasons why:

The thin lining of the vagina and cervix provides a larger surface area for HIV transmission. In men, the equivalent surface area (the entrance to the urethra, or the delicate skin under the foreskin) is smaller.
Semen contains a higher concentration of HIV than vaginal fluids.
Semen stays in the vaginal canal so unlike men, women can’t wash away bodily fluids after having sex. Young women have less vaginal fluids than mature women. This makes vaginal intercourse “drier” and delicate tissue more likely to tear. HIV can easily enter the body through these tiny tears.
Normal aging changes, particularly experienced by post-menopausal women, such as a decrease in vaginal lubrication and thinning vaginal walls can increase HIV risk. This makes vaginal intercourse “drier” and delicate tissue more likely to tear.

Women’s HIV Risk Factors

There are various economic, social and cultural factors that increase a woman’s risk for HIV. Unequal gender relations, discrimination, sexual violence, poverty, low self-esteem and substance abuse may lead to behaviours or situations associated with high rates of HIV among women. Also, the lack of focus on women in research programs can increase a woman’s risk for contracting HIV.

Access to Resources

Many women lack access to resources especially Aboriginal women,female injection drug users, and female prisoners. These women often receive inadequate education, treatment and support services.
If you are a woman living in a remote or rural area, you may not have the same access to preventive and clinical services that urban women do.
If you are a woman who is street-involved or work in the sex trade you may choose to have sex at a young age or have multiple partners in order to access income, housing, food or to meet other basic needs.
HIV disproportionately affects women living in poverty; the struggle for daily survival can lead to activities that place them at high risk for HIV.

Violence and Sexual Assault

According to the Sexual Health in Canada: Baseline 2007, available information indicates that one-half of Canadian women in Canada will encounter at least one incident involving physical or sexual violence during their lives. Forced sexual activity can lead to unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Sexual assault is never your fault.

Socio-Cultural Issues

For some women, their social status is linked to pregnancy and motherhood. As such, safer sex practices and/or using contraception are not always options chosen by women.
For some men, having multiple sex-partners is an essential part of their status. Thus, women’s risk for HIV and other STIs may increase because of their partner’s sexual decisions.
Some men in monogamous male-female relationships choose to have sex with other men while still in the relationship. This can put their primary partner at risk for HIV and other STIs if their partner is not aware of the male partner’s additional sexual activity.
Female genital cutting can increase a woman’s risk for HIV. Any open wounds provide an easy entry point for the virus. Women who promote condom use are sometimes seen as promiscuous; some women may be hesitant to suggest condom use because of this stigma.
Some lesbians and women who have sex with women, assume that they are not at risk for contracting HIV or other sexually transmitted infections; however, lesbians and women who have sex with women can contract HIV from other women who have HIV.
Despite common myths and stereotypes, older women & seniors are sexually active and some use injection drugs. Some seniors may be less likely to consistently use condoms during sex because of a generational mindset, unfamiliarity with STI/HIV prevention methods and, for post-menopausal women, preventing pregnancy is no longer an issue.

Women represent over one quarter of new HIV infections in Canada.¹ Young women in particular are disproportionately affected by HIV.² The majority of women contract HIV through sex with men.³

1 Public Health Agency of Canada, Table 2006c
2 Public Health Agency of Canada, Table 2006b
3 Public Health Agency of Canada, Table 2006c

Updated July 17, 2008

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Women & HIV Women who are HIV positive may experience the following symptoms: Persistent yeast infections Persistent vaginal infections Menstrual irregularities Severe herpes simplex virus Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which can cause genital warts or cervical cancer. Biology and body fluids Men and women have a different anatomy so women’s bodies often respond differently to the same illnesses or infections. For example, during vaginal sex, with all other factors being equal, a woman can be at a higher risk for contracting HIV than a man. Here are some reasons why: The thin lining of the vagina and cervix provides a larger surface area for HIV transmission. In men, the equivalent surface area (the entrance to the urethra, or the delicate skin under the foreskin) is smaller. Semen contains a higher concentration of HIV than vaginal fluids. Semen stays in the vaginal canal so unlike men, women can’t wash away bodily fluids after having sex. Young women have less vaginal fluids than mature women. This makes vaginal intercourse “drier” and delicate tissue more likely to tear. HIV can easily enter the body through these tiny tears. Normal aging changes, particularly experienced by post-menopausal women, such as a decrease in vaginal lubrication and thinning vaginal walls can increase HIV risk. This makes vaginal intercourse “drier” and delicate tissue more likely to tear. Women’s HIV Risk Factors There are various economic, social and cultural factors that increase a woman’s risk for HIV. Unequal gender relations, discrimination, sexual violence, poverty, low self-esteem and substance abuse may lead to behaviours or situations associated with high rates of HIV among women. Also, the lack of focus on women in research programs can increase a woman’s risk for contracting HIV. Access to Resources Many women lack access to resources especially Aboriginal women,female injection drug users, and female prisoners. These women often receive inadequate education, treatment and support services. If you are a woman living in a remote or rural area, you may not have the same access to preventive and clinical services that urban women do. If you are a woman who is street-involved or work in the sex trade you may choose to have sex at a young age or have multiple partners in order to access income, housing, food or to meet other basic needs. HIV disproportionately affects women living in poverty; the struggle for daily survival can lead to activities that place them at high risk for HIV. Violence and Sexual Assault According to the Sexual Health in Canada: Baseline 2007, available information indicates that one-half of Canadian women in Canada will encounter at least one incident involving physical or sexual violence during their lives. Forced sexual activity can lead to unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Sexual assault is never your fault. Socio-Cultural Issues For some women, their social status is linked to pregnancy and motherhood. As such, safer sex practices and/or using contraception are not always options chosen by women. For some men, having multiple sex-partners is an essential part of their status. Thus, women’s risk for HIV and other STIs may increase because of their partner’s sexual decisions. Some men in monogamous male-female relationships choose to have sex with other men while still in the relationship. This can put their primary partner at risk for HIV and other STIs if their partner is not aware of the male partner’s additional sexual activity. Female genital cutting can increase a woman’s risk for HIV. Any open wounds provide an easy entry point for the virus. Women who promote condom use are sometimes seen as promiscuous; some women may be hesitant to suggest condom use because of this stigma. Some lesbians and women who have sex with women, assume that they are not at risk for contracting HIV or other sexually transmitted infections; however, lesbians and women who have sex with women can contract HIV from other women who have HIV. Despite common myths and stereotypes, older women & seniors are sexually active and some use injection drugs. Some seniors may be less likely to consistently use condoms during sex because of a generational mindset, unfamiliarity with STI/HIV prevention methods and, for post-menopausal women, preventing pregnancy is no longer an issue. Women represent over one quarter of new HIV infections in Canada.¹ Young women in particular are disproportionately affected by HIV.² The majority of women contract HIV through sex with men.³ 1 Public Health Agency of Canada, Table 2006c 2 Public Health Agency of Canada, Table 2006b 3 Public Health Agency of Canada, Table 2006c Updated July 17, 2008
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