Serum gonadotropins secretion is not reduced with advancing age in HIV-infected females: results of a case–control study in menopausal women.

Introduction HIV infection treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) seems to be associated with hypogonadism in men. Less is known in HIV-infected women gonadal status. The aim of this study is to investigate gonadal function, in menopausal HIV-infected women compared sex- and age-matched healthy subjects (HS). Methods We retrospectively compared 188 HIV-infected women with 192 HS selected reviewing record charts and laboratory database respectively. We considered only women older than 50 years and we grouped them according to their age (50–54; 55–59; and O60 years). Basal serum LH, FSH, estradiol, and testosterone were measured. The FSH cut-off of 40 UI/l for establishing menopausal status. Results The percentage of subjects with FSH levels O40 UI/l was higher in HIV-infected women (67.5%) than in healthy controls (59.4%). This difference was found also in the younger subgroup (38% vs 27%). FSH serum levels in HIV-infected women (54.08G31.47 mUI/ml) did not differ (PZ0.27) from HS (50.87G 31 mUI/ml). Accordingly, no significant differences were found in LH, estradiol, and testosterone levels. Conclusions Menopause seems to occur at a younger age than HS in HIV-infected women. Moreover, differently from what was documented in HIV-infected male counterpart, HIV-infected women seem to not develop hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, but have a tendency to higher serum FSH at a younger age (!54 years) suggesting premature hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. With this in view menopause may be considered an element of the process of premature aging associated with HIV infection and its comorbidities.