PIP: Few studies of the course of HIV infection or response to treatment for women with HIV exist. There have been studies on women's role in transmission of HIV to sexual partners and to infants, however. The experiences of homosexuals forms our knowledge base about HIV infection, yet as of April 1992, 22,000 women had AIDS. Most lived in inner cities on the East Coats of the US. Black and Hispanic women suffer from HIV infection rates 13 and 6 times higher, respectively, than that of white women. Despite the large number of HIV-infected women, many health providers and policymakers still believe that AIDS does not affect women, health workers tend to overlook AIDS symptoms in women or attribute them to other causes, and women tend to place other's need over their own. Thus biological and social factors cause women with HIV/AIDS to fall and die sooner than men. Even though HIV contributes to and/or alters gynecological conditions, infectious disease specialists do not perform pelvic examinations and reproductive health practitioners do not know much about HIV detection or management. These gynecological manifestations include genital ulcers, human papillomavirus infection, cervical cancer, pelvic infection, candidiasis, and changes in the menstrual cycle. Women are often not empowered to negotiate condom use and to request sexual abstinence. Safe, reliable, and acceptable contraceptive methods must be available for HIV-positive women. They should avoid IUDs, however, since IUDs increase susceptibility to pelvic infections. HIV-positive pregnant women face unique problems such as consideration of pregnancy termination since vertical transmission is likely, struggles with religious beliefs, and locating health practitioners to provide them with prenatal care. Research is needed on the biological, psychological, social, and sexual effects of HIV on women. Community-based primary health care facilities can meet the needs of women infected with HIV.