for Veterans and the Public
Body shape changes
People who are taking HIV medicines and living longer sometimes experience visible changes in body shape and appearance. This condition is called lipodystrophy (pronounced "li-po-dis-tro-fee"). "Lipo" means fat, "dystrophy" means abnormal growth or change. So, lipodystrophy means abnormal changes in fat. These changes can be caused by HIV itself or by HIV medications.
These changes were much more common with older HIV medications. Current HIV medicines are much less likely to cause body changes and many people experience no body changes at all.
Possible changes in body appearance:
- increased fat in the belly
- increased fat in neck, shoulders, breasts, or face
- fatty bumps on the body
- loss of fat in the face, legs, or arms
See all Body Shape Changes
Share this page