HIV and Men

Abstract

Introduction: Since the initial description of HIV and AIDS, monumental efforts have been made both in the developed and developing countries to devise strategies and medications to control the disease. The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy has now meant that the diagnosis of HIV is no longer a life-sentence and compliant patients with HIV can expect life expectancy similar to their noninfected peers. Consequently new challenges have arisen in the management of benign conditions.

Aim: To provide an overview of the key conditions and issues that HIV/AIDS patients may present with to an andrological service.

Methods: Using PubMed, we screened the literature for studies on common andrological conditions specifically pertaining to HIV and AIDS.

Main outcome measures: The urological manifestations of HIV/AIDS in men have been summarized in an attempt to provide a useful guide for sexual health practitioners dealing with HIV-positive men.

Results: As a result of advancements in pharmaceuticals, life expectancy of men infected with HIV has improved almost to that of the general population in developed countries. Therefore, clinicians are faced with non-life-threatening urological problems that affect the quality of life of men with HIV. The majority of these problems can be managed easily, by adapting a "patient-centered" approach, instead of "disease-centered" algorithms.

Conclusion: With improved survival and understanding, patients with HIV/AIDS can and do expect to enjoy a healthy sex life. With appropriate counseling around safe sex and careful management with consideration for disease-specific issues as well as the influence of medical therapy, patients can achieve a good quality of life.

Keywords: AIDS; Erectile Dysfunction; HIV; Sexual Dysfunction; Sexually Transmitted Disease.