HIV and Older Women
The numbers of older women becoming infected with the virus that
causes AIDS is of growing concern. Learn how you can protect
yourself.
HIV infections are on the rise. According to the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of Americans
over 50 who are infected with HIV have grown over 5 times
(16,300 people in 1995, to 90,600 in 2003). While seniors
represent about 14% of people with HIV, senior women represent
18%. The numbers of women with infections are even higher for
American women of color, and come in at a staggering 47% when
looking at world HIV infection rates. That means that just under
half of all HIV infections are found in women worldwide.
One reason for the higher number of older women with HIV was
found in a study recently published by Emory University. They
surveyed 514 women over the age of 50, and found that their
knowledge about transmission was poor. For example,
approximately 50% of women believed that vasectomies and
diaphragms prevent the spread of HIV.
Other reasons include the fact that many older women, who have
sex with men, are also not using condoms, knowing they are past
the point of having to worry about pregnancy. Women also
erroneously think they can't get HIV if they are not engaging in
behaviors they deem as risky. The truth of the matter is this.
HIV is a virus. It's an opportunist. It does not care if you are
male or female. It does not care who you have sex with, nor the
numbers of people you have sex with. It certainly does not care
about the color of your skin, you bank balance or you age.
HIV is primarily spread in two ways. First is though the sharing
of contaminated intravenous drug equipment. Second, and more
commonly, HIV is spread by unprotected sexual encounters. Women
frequently are the receptive partners, and the receptive
partners are more likely to become infected. Women who are post
menopausal are at higher risk because of the changes in the
vaginal tissue. With less estrogen to nourish the vagina, the
tissue atrophies (becomes thin) and there is less lubrication. A
woman can easily get tiny tears in her vaginal tissues, thus
leaving an opening for virus to gain entry to her blood stream.
What's a woman to do?
1. Know your own HIV status. Contact your health care provider,
or (if you want anonymous testing) the local health department
for testing. I do not recommend home testing at this time.
First, if you are positive, are you really? And if you are
negative, are you really? If positive, confirmatory blood
testing is required. Many offices have started using rapid
testing in the office where preliminary results can be obtained
in 20 minutes. In the meantime you can get the appropriate
information on how you need to proceed.
2. Know your partners history (this goes for both male AND
female partners ladies!). Do they have a history of multiple
partners and unprotected sexual encounters? Have they been
tested? When? Did they get a follow up test at 6 months? What
were the results?
3. Condoms and lubrication are essential. Use them not only on
your partners body parts that may be entering you, but also on
any toys you may be utilizing as well There are several online
and confidential sources to purchase lubricants, condoms and
gloves.
4. Limit your exposure when possible. Think twice if you are
engaging in high risk behavior with a casual or new partner.
5. Educate yourself. The information presented here is just a
small portion of what you need to know. Each of us bears the
responsibility to educate ourselves and our partners.
For many women, sexual activity does not stop just because they
reach a certain age. I encourage you to continue to enjoy
yourselves, but do so safely.