SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES AND HIV - A FEMALE PERSPECTIVE

Sexually transmitted diseases have the greatest impact on the health o f women. They are frequently asymptomatic, so screening for infection is important in preventing the long-term sequelae which include infert ility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. HIV continues to in crease in the female population and the gynecologic complications asso ciated with it are unique to this population. Use of zidovudine in pre gnant HIV-infected women has substantially decreased the rate of verti cal transmission of HIV infection. The epidemiologic synergy between H IV and STDs is well recognized and prevention of one is dependent on p revention of the other.