Karoline Aebi-Popp
PD, MD, MSc
University Hospital Bern, Switzerland
2nd Menopause & HIV Webinar 2025
Thank You!
The second edition of the Menopause & HIV Webinar successfully took place on Tuesday, 21 January 2025.
The program delved into critical topics, including effective support strategies for women living with HIV during menopause, approaches to screening and preventing comorbidities in this key population, and an inspiring community perspective that empowered women to advocate for their health and well-being. The active participation of our attendees enriched the event, sparking thought-provoking questions and lively discussions that fostered a dynamic learning environment.
Key Take-Home Messages
We are excited to share the insights from our Program Chair, Dr. Karoline Aebi-Popp, who highlights 5 key take-home messages from the webinar. Discover her reflections and gain valuable perspectives from this impactful program:
- The best management of menopause in women living with HIV is less clear compared to general guidelines on menopause management.
- No menopausal symptom assessment scales have been validated in women with HIV, especially in regard to associated comorbidities.
- Healthcare providers should be aware of how to differentiate between HIV-related and menopause-related symptoms and know indications for treatment.
- Educating women to raise awareness in regard to menopausal symptoms, including peer education, is very important to seek treatment.
- Comprehensive, HIV-specific menopausal management is crucial to provide best care for women living with HIV.
About this Webinar
Menopause is a transition phase in aging women that is associated with hormonal changes that increase the risk for cardiovascular, bone, and neurocognitive diseases. Women in menopause are also at higher risk of acquiring HIV. However, little is known about the relationship between HIV and menopause.
Women living with HIV enter menopause 3-5 years earlier than those living without the virus. They experience more severe symptoms and show a higher risk for co-morbidities compared to women living without HIV. Severe menopausal symptoms have been associated with reduced quality of life, poorer mental health, and reduced adherence to HIV care.
Overall, monitoring and clinical management of menopause-related comorbidities and symptoms in women living with HIV becomes burdensome when there are limited official guidelines.
To meet this need, this program will gather a diverse audience of researchers, healthcare professionals, pharmacologists, regulatory, and community representatives to increase awareness about the interplay of HIV and menopause. A dialogue will be stimulated with the aim of improving the management of symptoms, co-morbidities, and quality of life in women who experience menopause and are living with HIV.