Sexual and reproductive health + HIV Flashcards
What proportion of HIV infections acquired through heterosexual contact are in women?
63%
On average, which of heterosexual women or men are infected/diagnosed at an earlier age?
Women
What proportion of all HIV infection in the UK are men (both MSM and heterosexual)?
> 60%
How often should a sexual history be taken from PLWH?
6 monthly
How often should syphilis testing be performed for PLWH?
with routine tests
consider 3 monthly
How often should cervical smear be performed on women living with HIV?
annual
How common is HCV infection through sexual contact?
1-3%
Why should HCV infection be regularly screened for in PLWH?
Increase morbidity and mortality from HCV if co-infection with HIV
How often should a full sexual health screen be offered, regardless of reported sexual activity?
annual
Risk of HIV transmission man to woman, not on ART?
0.1-0.3% per act of sex
Risk of HIV transmission woman to man, not on ART?
0.03-0.09% per act
What potentially increases the viral load of HIV in genital secretions compared to plasma?
Co-infection with STI
A prospective cohort study looking at serodiscordant couple in Uganda found no transmission of HIV at what viral load?
<1000copies/ml
What alternative options are there for HIV positive men and HIV negative women if they do not wish to conceive naturally?
Insemination from sperm donor (BBV screen)
Sperm washing
Adoption - previously difficult
Explain sperm washing
Semen is centrifuged to separate spermatozoa from seminal fluid and non-sperm cells and then inseminated into female partner at time of ovulation
Why does sperm washing work to reduce risk of HIV transmission?
Sperm do not carry HIV
Seminal fluid and non-germinal cells do but they are separated out
If a couple have fertility difficulties, what can sperm washing be combined with?
Ovulation induction
IVF
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
What percentage of centrifuged semen will contain detectable viral load?
3-6% therefore testing of sample before insemination is expected
Prior to either natural conception or sperm washing what baseline assessment should be made of the couple?
Sexual health screen Genital lesions/infections treated Semen analysis Endocrine profile of woman Baselin pelvic scan in early follicular phase Non-invasive assessment tubal patency
If a woman is anovulatory, what medications are preferred to induce ovulation?
Clomifene
Injectable gonadotrophins
What is the association between HIV infection and semen parameters on analysis?
Total sperm count and motility affected by CD4 cell count
What is the association between HIV infection and pregnancy outcome from intrauterine insemination?
Higher pregnancy rate if male viral load <1000 and on ART
No correlation with CD4 cell count
Why do HiV positive women have reduced fertility?
Reduced ovarian reserve
Tubal damage
What is the rationale for undertaking fertility Assessment before attempting conception, natural or otherwise?
To avoid unnecessary exposure to HIV
What pre-conception guidance should be given to women with HIV?
Switch to ART that is not teratogenic eg efavirenz
Start ART by third trimester
Involvement of specialist obstetric team
Which medications have been implicated in erectile dysfunction?
Anti-depressants Anti-psychotics Anabolic steroids Lipid-lowering agents Alcohol
What is first line treatment for erectile dysfunction? What is a contraindication for use?
oral PDE5 inhibitors - sildenafil etc
Nitrate therapy contraindication
Note interaction with ritonavir
What is the potential association between taking PDE inhibitors and high-risk sexual behaviour?
Unlikely direct but people who take PDE5Is often take other substances such as alcohol or recreational drugs that are associated with higher-risk
Other than erectile dysfunction what other sexual dysfunctions may affect men?
ejaculatory problems
loss of libido
arousal problems
What might cause ‘retarded ejaculation’ in HIV positive men?
ARV induced peripheral neuropathy
What might cause loss of sexual desire in HIV positive men?
Mainly psychological
Can be due to hormonal disturbance and hypogonadism
What is the relationship between HIV and HPV infection in women?
Higher prevalence cervical HPV infection
Increased in lower CD cell count
More persistent infection especially more oncogenic types
What impact does ART have on HPV infection?
Potential to facilitate clearance of HPV through improved immune function
Induce regression or prevent development of CIN
What is the incidence of anus and anal canal cancers in general population in UK?
- 2 per 100 000 men
1. 7 per 100 000 women
What is the relative risk of anus and anal canal cancers in men and women with HIV?
37.9 men; 6.8 women
London rates of anal cancer in HIV positive cohort
60/100 000
120 times higher than control population
What is the survival data for people with HIV and anal cancer treated with chemo-radiotherapy?
47% overall 5 yr survival
66% disease free 5 yr survival
What is a clear cause for anal cancers?
HPV oncogenic types
Current smoking - strong risk factor
How does HPV associated anal cancer arise?
Anal canal - transformational zone at junction anal squamous and rectal columnar epithelia (similar to cervix)
High risk HPV infection of metaplastic reserve cells in transformational zone (higher propensity to oncogenic transformation) causes anal cancer
What proportion of men with HPV infection and normal baseline mucosa develop AIN?
24% develop high-grade squamous intra epithelial lesion/AIN2 or 3 over 4 years
What treatments are available for AIN?
Limited evidence/efficacy
Topical HPV based treatments (possible)
Electrosurgical - high recurrence but possible reduced risk of invasive cancer than if no treatment
Multiple HIV infections can occur at 3 distinct phases of HIV disease, what are they?
Simultaneous infection - 2 different strains infect same cell
Sequential infection - after primary infection before antibodies produced, infected with a second strain
Superinfection - re-infection once HIV has become chronic
What is the clinical significance of superinfection or dual infection?
Extremely rare for there to be clinical implication
Potential superinfection with a resistant virus
Describe the UK MEC 1-4 for contraception?
1 - no restriction for use
2 - advantage outweighs theoretical or proven risk
3 - Risk outweighs advantage
4 - unacceptable health risk
Male condoms - benefits, perfect and typical use failure rates
Contraception and protection against STI
Perfect use 2-5% failure
Typical use 15-21%
Why should N-9 spermicide not be used with condoms for people with HIV?
Mucosal irritant and can increase risk of HIV transmission
What UKMEC category are cervical caps or diaphragms for women with HIV? Why?
UKMEC 3
Need to use N-9 spermicide
COCP - benefits, perfect and typical use failure rates
More effective than condoms alone
Perfect 0.1% failure
Typical 5% failure
What are the limitations of COC in women on ART?
Potential reduced contraceptive levels from drug-drug interactions
No barrier protection
What are the potential DDIs between COC and ART?
PIs and NNRTIs metabolised by CYP3A4 therefore can reduce COCP levels
What other factor which may have an impact on metabolism via the liver may be present in a person HIV positive?
cirrhosis
co-infection with HBV or HCV +/- alcohol use
OR
TB and therefore medication such as rifampicin
What is the UKMEC for ART + COC?
Non-enzme inducing - 2
Enzyme inducing - 2 (but additional contraception advised)
Is the efficacy of combined contraceptive patch affected by ART?
Transdermal avoids first pass metabolism via liver
Unclear effect of enzyme inducers on efficacy
What is the UKMEC for CCP and HIV positive women?
No ART - 1
ART - 2 (additional contraception advised if enzyme inducer)
How does the POP work?
Thickens cervical mucous and reduces endometrium
Desonorgestrel - inhibits ovulation
How does ART affect POP?
Potentially increases progestogen but more likely reduces it
UKMEC 2 + additional contraception
Can DMPA be offered to women with HIV?
Yes
DMPA metabolism not affected by liver enzyme inducing drugs
What potential risks/side effects of DMPA should be considered when prescribing?
Risk of low BMD with longterm use
Consider other risk factors including risk from ART
If a women opts for DMPA despite risk to bone health what should be performed?
Baseline DEXA
What effect does enzyme inducing ART have on the efficacy of the sub-dermal implant?
Potential increase metabolism and therefore reduced efficacy
UKMEC 2
Is the levonorgestrel IUS affected by liver enzyme-inducing drugs?
NO evidence to suggest
What is the levonorgestrel IUS main mode of action?
direct local effect on the endometrium preventing implantation
What is the copper IUD main mode of action?
Prevents fertilisation
Inhibits implantation
What is the first line emergency contraception for women with HIV?
CuIUD (especially if on enzyme inducing drugs)
If CuIUD is not an acceptable option for EC in women with HIV what advise should be given with the progestogen only EC?
Double the dose (if on enzyme inducing drugs)
Why are mineral oil-based lubricants with condom use discouraged?
Condom damage and increased breakage rate