Sexual Health and Dysfunction in HIV-Positive Populations
Summary
In HIV-positive populations, sexual health encompasses intimacy, pleasure and quality of life as well as prevention of transmission. Despite advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) that have transformed HIV into a chronic, manageable condition, sexual dysfunction remains highly prevalent among both men and women living with HIV. Common issues include erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, ejaculatory disorders, dyspareunia and diminished sexual satisfaction. These problems arise from an interplay of biological factors (vascular changes, hormonal imbalances, ART side effects), psychosocial pressures (HIV‐related stigma, fear of transmission, body‐image concerns), comorbidities (diabetes, cardiovascular disease) and relationship dynamics (disclosure hurdles, partner support). Persistent sexual dysfunction carries significant consequences for mental health, treatment adherence and relational well‐being. Addressing this multifaceted challenge requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates infectious disease clinicians, sexual medicine specialists and mental health professionals. Practical interventions include optimisation of ART regimens to minimise adverse effects, targeted counselling to reduce anxiety and stigma, and tailored sexual rehabilitation strategies to restore confidence and improve overall life quality.
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Sexual Health and Dysfunction in HIV-Positive Populations publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in sexual health and dysfunction in hiv-positive populations across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Sexual dysfunction: Persistent difficulties in any phase of sexual response leading to distress or interpersonal difficulty.
Erectile dysfunction: Inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART): Combination drug regimens used to suppress HIV replication and preserve immune function.
Viral load: Measure of HIV RNA copies in the blood, used to monitor treatment success.
HIV‐related stigma: Negative social attitudes and discrimination faced by people living with HIV that impact psychological and sexual well‐being.
References
- Incidence of erectile dysfunction among middle-aged and aging sexual minority men living with or without HIV. Frontiers in Public Health (2024).
- Association of HIV status with sexual function in women aged 45–60 in England: results from two national surveys. AIDS Care (2019).
- Determinants of sexual function in men living with HIV younger than 50 years old: Focus on organic, relational, and psychological issues. Andrology (2023).
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