Women Can Get HIV Easily

Even though more men than women have HIV, about one-quarter of people living with HIV in the United States are women. High rates of HIV among women have brought new attention to the unique issues and special challenges that make it harder for women to prevent HIV or to take care of themselves if they have HIV. This section explores these and other reasons women are at risk for HIV infection.

Women Can Get HIV Easily

Female Genitals

Male Genitals

Women are more likely to get HIV during vaginal sex for several biological reasons.

• The lining of the vagina provides a large area, which can be exposed to HIV-infected semen.
• Semen has higher levels of HIV than vaginal fluids do.
• More semen is exchanged during sex than vaginal fluids.
• Having untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) makes it more likely for women to get HIV.

Many HIV-positive women with negative partners worry about giving HIV to their partner(s). Research shows that men give HIV more easily than women give the virus. But women can still pass HIV to uninfected partners — both male and female — through sex. This is because HIV is in blood (including menstrual blood), vaginal fluids, and in cells in the vaginal and anal walls.

HIV levels in vaginal fluids also increase a lot in the presence of vaginal yeast infections and STIs. Swelling of the vagina caused by such infections causes tiny scrapes and cuts on the delicate skin of the vaginal area that can hide HIV. HIV levels can also increase temporarily after getting treatment for some of these conditions.

In short, the surest way to avoid passing any STI, including HIV, is to not have sex. There is no way to know when you are more or less likely to give HIV to your partner(s). Exposure to vaginal fluids with high levels of HIV increases the risk of passing the virus. The risk increases even more when your partner has an infection or inflammation.

If you do have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral), make sure to use a latex condom correctly and every time.

Young Women

Young people in the United States are at a greater risk of getting HIV infection. In 2006, young adults aged 13 to 29 accounted for the largest number of new HIV infections in the United States. According to CDC research on disadvantaged youth, the rate of HIV among young women aged 16 to 21 is 50 percent higher than the rate among young men in that age group. African American women in this study were seven times as likely as white women to be HIV-positive.

Young women are at a greater risk of getting HIV for several reasons, including:

• Lack of awareness
• Not knowing their partners' risk factors, such as a history of unprotected sex or injection drug use
• Feeling less power in relationships
• Having sex with older men who are infected

Many young women infected with HIV as infants from their mothers are now facing decisions about becoming sexually active as well. In a recent American Journal of Public Health article, some of these young women grow up without knowing they are HIV-positive. Family members and caregivers delayed telling them because of fear or shame. Other research shows that once these young women are aware, they are more likely to have risky sex without telling partners they are HIV-positive.

Many young people do not know about HIV risk and don’t worry about becoming infected. HIV prevention outreach and education efforts, including programs on abstinence and HIV screening, are key to preventing the spread of HIV by young people. The following are some CDC-tested prevention programs that state and local health departments provide for youth across the country.

• Teens Linked to Care is focused on young people aged 13 to 29 who are living with HIV.

• Street Smart is an HIV/AIDS and STI prevention program for runaway and homeless youth.

• PROMISE (Peers Reaching Out and Modeling Intervention Strategies for HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction in their Community) is a community-level HIV prevention intervention that relies on role-model stories and peers from the community.

Women Over 50

If you are over 50, you may not think that you are at risk for HIV infection for many reasons.

• You may not realize that you need to protect yourself against HIV.
• You may not know the term “sexually transmitted infections" or STIs. You were taught about "venereal diseases" or VD.
• You may not know how to prevent HIV.
• You may think you don't need to use condoms because you don't worry about getting pregnant. Or, you may be dating again after many years and don't know how to talk to your partner about using condoms.

But anyone at any age can get HIV and AIDS. If you have not been tested for HIV, don’t wait. Get tested now. You might be at risk for HIV if:

• You are sexually active and do not use condoms.
• You do not know your partner's drug and sexual history, including your partner's HIV status.
• You have had a blood transfusion or operation in a developing country at any time.
• You had a blood transfusion in the United States between 1978 and 1985.

You can lower your risk of HIV if both you and your partner know your HIV status and are faithful to each other. Using condoms correctly and every time you have sex also can lower your risk of HIV. Learn more about steps you can take to protect yourself from HIV no matter what your age.

Older women with HIV also need to think about other health problems that are common in older women, such as heart disease and osteoporosis. If you have HIV, talk to your doctor about steps you can take to lower your risk of other health problems, such as quitting smoking and eating heart-healthy food. Also ask your doctor about preventive screenings you might need as you age, including screenings for breast cancer, colon cancer, and bone health.

Violence Against Women - Sexual Assault

Related Information: Violence Against Women

Violence against women plays a big role in increasing the risk of HIV infection among women. In violent or forced-sex situations, forced penetration can cause cuts that allow easy entry of HIV. This is especially true for young girls, whose reproductive tracts are less fully developed.

Fear of violence keeps some women from insisting on condom use. Fear of violence also keeps some women from seeking treatment. Women may delay being tested for HIV or fail to return for the results because they are afraid that sharing their HIV-positive status may result in physical violence.