Resumption of postpartum sexual activity and menses among HIV-infected women on lifelong antiretroviral treatment compared to HIV-uninfected women in Africa

Objective: To determine time from delivery to resumption of sexual activity and menses among HIV-infected women on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and HIV-uninfected women. Methods: HIV-infected women on ART and HIV-uninfected women were recruited from five health facilities at delivery and followed prospectively for a maximum of 1 year in Blantyre, Malawi from January 2016 to September 2017. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected at delivery and 1.5, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Descriptive, time to event Kaplan-Meier, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses were conducted. Results: Data on 878 women (460 [52.4%] HIV-uninfected and 418 [47.6%] HIV-infected, P=0.156) who attended at least one follow-up visit were analyzed. Among HIV-uninfected compared to HIV-infected women, respectively, the median number of days to resumption of sexual activity was 180 vs 181; to irregular menses was 82 vs 71; and to regular menses was 245 vs 366. In multivariable models, being married was associated with early resumption of sexual activity (hazard ratio [HR] 1.91, P<0.001), and being HIV-infected and use of an effective method of family planning were associated with later start of regular menses (HR<1.0, P<0.050). Conclusion: Counseling of women on reproductive intentions should start early irrespective of HIV infection or use of ART.