--- title: Do menstrual cycle symptoms affect how well people with HIV stick with their medications? description: A 12-week study of 54 HIV-positive women found that certain menstrual cycle symptoms got worse at specific times and women were slightly less likely to take t url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/symptom-exacerbation-and-adherence-to-antiretroviral-therapy-during-the-2006/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do menstrual cycle symptoms affect how well people with HIV stick with their medications? Survey study, 2006 # Do menstrual cycle symptoms affect how well people with HIV stick with their medications? A 12-week study of 54 HIV-positive women found that certain menstrual cycle symptoms got worse at specific times and women were slightly less likely to take their antiretroviral medications during menstrual weeks. Early or limited evidence 54 HIV-positive women taking antiretroviral therapy. ## What they did Researchers interviewed 54 HIV-positive women taking antiretroviral therapy every week for 12 weeks. They asked about 28 symptoms that might be related to either the HIV medication or the menstrual cycle, and asked about medication adherence. Researchers divided each menstrual cycle into menstrual weeks, premenstrual weeks, and other weeks. ## What they found Bloating and cramps were reported more during menstrual weeks. Skin problems and breast tenderness happened more during premenstrual weeks. Tiredness, joint pain, and chills were higher in weeks that were neither menstrual nor premenstrual. Women took their medications 89% of the time during menstrual weeks, compared to 94% during premenstrual weeks and 93% during other weeks. Feeling sad or depressed was linked with not taking medications as prescribed. ## What it means for you The study shows that menstrual cycle changes can affect both physical symptoms and medication adherence in HIV-positive women. Since antiretroviral therapy must be taken consistently to work, these menstrual cycle patterns may affect treatment. The main limitations are the small sample (54 women) and short duration (12 weeks), and differences in adherence between weeks were small. 54 HIV-positive women 12 weeks of observation 89%, 94%, 93% medication adherence rates by cycle phase ## About the study Original title Symptom exacerbation and adherence to antiretroviral therapy during the menstrual cycle: a pilot study Authors Patel PN, Grimes RM Journal Infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology Year 2006 Study design Survey study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1155/idog/2006/14869](https://doi.org/10.1155/idog/2006/14869) Original abstract Our objective is to investigate the relationship between drug and menstrual cycle symptoms in HIV+ women receiving antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Interviews were done for 12 weeks with 54 HIV+ women receiving HAART. Patients were asked if they experienced any of 28 symptoms associated with HAART and the menstrual cycle and about HAART adherence. Weeks were divided into menstrual weeks (MWs), premenstrual weeks (PWs), and other weeks. Women reported more bloating (P = .02) and cramps (P = .001) during MWs. Skin problems (P = .08) and breast tenderness (P = .03) were experienced during PWs. Feeling tired/loss of energy (P = .05), joint pain (P = .02), and chills (P = .03) were higher in non-MW/PWs. Women were slightly less adherent during the MWs (89%) than PWs (94%) and other weeks (93%). Feeling sad or depressed (P = .01) was associated with nonadherence. Experiencing certain symptoms associated with both the menstrual cycle and HAART drugs was related with nonadherence. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Randomised trial, 2024 Does estetrol/drospirenone birth control improve PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2023 Does zinc supplementation reduce PMS symptoms in women? Systematic review, 2021 Does damask rose help reduce menstrual pain, headache, fatigue, anxiety, and bloating? Systematic review, 2020 Does Vitex agnus-castus help cyclic breast pain? Randomised trial, 2014 Does the combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium reduce menstrual symptoms and migraine? Survey study, 2011 What premenstrual symptoms do women experience around the world and how much do they affect daily life? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗