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Contrary to popular belief that the threat of HIV infection is primarily a threat to homosexual men and people addicted to injecting drug addiction, women are the most vulnerable to infection. Many women become infected with HIV through their first and only sexual partner, often their husband.

First caseAIDSuwomenwas diagnosed shortly after it was diagnosed in men, already in the early 1980s. It quickly became apparent that the causative agent of AIDS was transmitted both in homosexual and heterosexual intercourse.

HIV is more easily transmitted from man to woman

There are many reasons why HIV transmission is easier from man to woman:

  • differences in the anatomy of the genital organs. In a woman, both the vaginal and cervical mucosa are sensitive to HIV infection, while in men, this sensitivity is limited to a small rim of the mucosa around the opening of the urethra and the inner layer under the foreskin;
  • the amount of the virus in the semen is much greater than in the secretions of the female genital organs;
  • Semen usually remains in the female genitalia after ejaculation, which extends the contact time of HIV with the mucosal surface that is susceptible to infection. Trying to shorten this time by flushing the sperm is risky, it can cause damage that facilitates the entry of the virus. At the same time, the man is "outside", he can go to the bathroom and wash his genitals thoroughly with soap and water, which ends his possible contact with the virus;
  • any sexual techniques that may cause abrasions, injuries or injuries to the vaginal mucosa also increase the risk. Remember, however, that damage to the mucosa may also occur when, for example, putting on a tampon.

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Factors increasing the risk of HIV infection of a woman

Additionally, the risk of infection of a woman with the virus is increased by the presence of inflammatory lesions of the genital organs, which sometimes do not cause any discomfort, so they remain unnoticed. That is why regular (at least once a year) check-ups are so importantgynecologist.

Of course, it's true that women who change partners frequently are at a higher risk of contracting HIV. It is not true, however, that if you only take one "side jump" in your life, you are completely safe. This one-by-one partner may be infected with HIV, and an innocent "moment of forgetfulness" may end in infection.

On the other hand, loy alty to only one partner - if it is one-sided - will not fully protect against HIV infection. After all, it may happen that a man injects himself with drugs or has sexual contact with other people.

It is worth adding that anal sex does not reduce the risk of HIV infection, because the anal mucosa is as susceptible to damage as the vagina, therefore the virus can also easily be transferred from partner to woman (and vice versa). Oral sex carries a lower risk, but the risk still exists - especially when there are sores or other lesions in the mouth and the mucosa is in contact with semen.

Worth knowing

Women in long-term relationships can also be infected with HIV

Studies conducted around the world, but also on the basis of data from Poland, have shown that some women are infected by their first and only sexual partner. As shown by surveys at Consultation and Diagnostic Centers throughout Poland, 4% of HIV-positive women diagnosed with HIV in 2013 had only one sexual partner in their entire life, while 42% had 2 to 5 partners. 22% of infected women were in a stable relationship (married or informal)1 .

These figures show that even having one or a relatively small number of partners does not mean that you are not at risk of becoming infected with HIV. The HIV virus may be asymptomatic for up to 10 years. A man who enters into a stable relationship, also married, may not know himself that he is infected and unknowingly pass the disease on to his partner.

It often happens that women find out about their infection during the obligatory HIV tests during pregnancy (such a test should be carried out until the 10th week of pregnancy and between the 33rd and 37th week - if the doctor has not ordered it, it is worth do it yourself, it's free). In such a situation, diagnosis entails the implementation of appropriate antiretroviral treatment. A seropositive pregnant woman under the care of a gynecologist and AIDS treatment specialist has a chance to give birth to a completely he althy baby.

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The use of condoms is the best protection against HIV

The only measure that can effectively prevent HIV infection is a condom.Proper use of a condom gives 90-95% protection against infection.The condition for the effectiveness of this method is to use it correctly, that is:

  • the condom must be stored properly (preferably in the original packaging, do not expose it to high temperatures or crushing, puncturing);
  • use only condoms in new packaging and with expiry date not exceeded;
  • we put the condom on before intercourse (before inserting the penis into the vagina), and take it off after the sexual contact; even superficial penetration, e.g. during foreplay without a condom, carries the risk of infection;
  • use one condom only once;
  • if the condom is damaged or slips off during intercourse, replace it with a new one as soon as possible;
  • do not use condoms together with oily-based lubricants that destroy latex - only water-based lubricants are safe.

It's worth adding that women's (Femidom) condoms are as effective as men's.

The risk of HIV infection is also reduced by the absolute fidelity of both partners who were infected at the time they began their sexual life.

Sources:

  1. Report on the analysis of questionnaires completed at Consultation and Diagnostic Centers in 2013, available on the Internet: http://www.aids.gov.pl/badania_spoleczne/704/

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Category:

Intimate diseases