Sexual Dysfunction in HIV-Seropositive Women Without AIDS

During a 5.5 year biopsychosocial study, we prospectively assessed the psychiatric status and sexual functioning of women during the natural history of HIV infection (non-AIDS) detected as part of an HIV screening program in the military. Participants were serving on active duty or were spouses of servicemen who have tested HIV-positive since 1986. Patients were psychiatrically evaluated every 6-18 months for three assessments (TI-73). Initial evaluation (Tl) was completed by 54 HIV+ women without AIDS (avg. length of knowledge of seroconversion = 8.9 months). Thirty-eight were reevaluated at T2 (avg. knowledge, = 26.5 months), and 28 at T3 (avg. knowledge = 52.3 months). The most prevalent DSM-III-R psychiatric diagnosis at each evaluation time was Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). At T1, 21% met threshold criteria for this diagnosis; an additional 25% had more than a 33% decrease in desire. At T2, 50% had HSDD (new onset in 71% of those women). HSDD was persistently present in 50% at T3 and 50% ...