IVF and Surrogacy For HIV Positive Patients made possible-Fertility Options for HIV-Positive Patients
Living with HIV no longer means giving up the dream of having biological children. Thanks to significant medical advances over the past two decades, HIV-positive individuals now have access to safe, effective fertility treatment options that minimize transmission risks while maximizing the chances of successful conception.
This comprehensive guide explains the current medical approaches, success rates, and important considerations for HIV-positive patients seeking fertility treatment.
Understanding HIV and Fertility: The Medical Background
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) itself doesn’t typically affect fertility directly. However, several factors may impact fertility in HIV-positive individuals:
- For HIV-positive men: Some antiretroviral medications may temporarily affect sperm quality or quantity
- For HIV-positive women: Chronic inflammation associated with HIV may influence ovarian function in some cases
- For all patients: Coexisting conditions that may be more common in people living with HIV can impact fertility
According to a 2023 study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, with proper treatment and an undetectable viral load, fertility parameters in HIV-positive patients often remain comparable to the general population.
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Fertility Options for HIV-Positive Men
Sperm Washing Technique
The cornerstone treatment for HIV-positive men wishing to have biological children is a procedure called “sperm washing.” This sophisticated laboratory technique effectively separates sperm cells (which do not carry HIV) from seminal fluid (which may contain the virus).
The sperm washing process involves:
- Collection of a semen sample
- Laboratory processing to isolate individual sperm cells
- Testing a portion of the washed sample to confirm absence of HIV
- Using the washed sperm for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF)
A 2022 meta-analysis published in Fertility and Sterility examining over 3,000 procedures found no cases of HIV transmission to either female partners or babies when properly performed sperm washing was used.
Success Rates
The success rates for fertility treatments using washed sperm are comparable to those for couples without HIV:
- For intrauterine insemination (IUI): 15-20% pregnancy rate per cycle
- For in vitro fertilization (IVF): 40-45% pregnancy rate per embryo transfer
- For IVF with ICSI: 35-50% pregnancy rate per embryo transfer
These rates vary based on maternal age, sperm quality, and other individual factors.
CD4 Count
To accept any intended parents for IVF cases, they need to provide the CD4 report, which indicates the viral load for the parents.
It is a blood test to check the amount of CD4 cells in the body. CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell, which has an essential role in the immune system to fight off any infection.
A healthy immune system usually has a CD4 count ranging from 500 to 1,600 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (cells/mm3). When a CD4 count is lower than 200 cell/mm3, a person will receive a diagnosis of AIDS.
HIV Viral Load Test
HIV viral load test measures the count of HIV particles in a milliliter (mL) of blood. These particles are also known as “copies.”
This test detects the progression of HIV in the body, and is also used to see how well HIV treatment therapy is working to control HIV.
It is good to have a lower count of viral load tests, as it indicates the person’s body is responding well to the treatment.
More resources about infertility treatments:
Fertility Options for HIV-Positive Women
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for Male Partners
When a woman is HIV-positive and her male partner is HIV-negative, fertility treatment often involves:
- Ensuring the woman has an undetectable viral load through effective antiretroviral therapy
- Providing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the male partner
- Timing intercourse or performing insemination during peak fertility
Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2021 demonstrated that this approach, when properly implemented, reduces transmission risk to effectively zero.
IVF Considerations
For many HIV-positive women, IVF provides additional benefits:
- Reduces potential exposure through fewer acts of intercourse
- Allows for genetic testing of embryos before implantation
- Can address other fertility factors that may be present
Treatment for Couples Where Both Partners are HIV-Positive
When both partners are HIV-positive, treatment approaches focus on:
- Preventing superinfection (infection with a different strain of HIV)
- Addressing any fertility issues unrelated to HIV status
- Standard fertility treatments with appropriate viral load monitoring
Financial Considerations and Insurance Coverage
Fertility treatments for HIV-positive patients may involve additional costs:
- Sperm washing procedures: $1,500-$3,000 per cycle
- Testing protocols: $200-$500 additional per cycle
- Medication considerations: Variable based on treatment plan
Insurance coverage varies significantly by provider and location. Some states have fertility insurance mandates that may help cover these costs. We recommend:
- Contacting your insurance provider directly for coverage details
- Exploring clinic-specific financing options
- Investigating grant programs specifically for HIV-positive patients seeking fertility treatment
Emotional and Psychological Support
The fertility journey can be emotionally challenging, particularly for those also managing HIV. Many patients benefit from:
- Individual or couples counseling with therapists experienced in both fertility and chronic illness
- Support groups specifically for HIV-positive individuals building families
- Regular consultation with mental health professionals throughout treatment
At IVF Conceptions, we are happy to offer IVF or IVF with surrogacy services to HIV-positive couples.
We have a few IVF Clinics that gladly accept HIV male cases. Fertility Clinic in Thailand, Colombia, and Mexico to take the male with HIV infection for IVF. Getting pregnant with an HIV-positive husband is possible. We do have some selective IVF Clinics that can take care of IVF-positive male IVF Surrogacy.
For female-positive cases, we do not have any option as of now.
The criteria to accept the HIV positive person for IVF or IVF surrogacy:
- You need to send your HIV treatment report and CD4 test report for our fertility doctor’s review.
- It is good to have no detectable viral loads, but the acceptable viral load is <80 U/mL
- If the viral load is high, it is advised to continue with the treatment to make sure to have an acceptable limit.
- You can do CD4 after three months and send a new report for doctor review.
- If the viral load report is within the acceptable limit, we can ask you to come in person to initiate the process of IVF. Typically, the local IVF clinic will redo CD4 tests to check the viral load to make sure it is within range.
Once all is well, you will be asked to leave the sperm sample frozen for future use. If you wish, you can do the new IVF cycles as well.
Here it is worth mentioning that the cost of IVF for HIV-positive cases is much more. The IVF lab needs to be specially equipped to carry out the procedure of sperm washing and IVF for HIV cases. The additional fee for sperm washes and other precautions payment is needed for such cases, which makes the overall IVF fee higher.
Nevertheless, it is possible to have baby/babies for HIV-positive couples. The services we offer in various IVF clinics are:
- IVF for HIV+ male
- An IVF with an egg donor
- IVF with egg donor surrogacy
Now creating families is possible via IVF for HIV positive males. Get in touch to know more about your options.
If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation, or surrogacy services globally, check out the rest of our website at IVF Conceptions. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy consulting services for FREE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does having an undetectable viral load eliminate the need for sperm washing?
A: While an undetectable viral load significantly reduces transmission risk, professional medical organizations still recommend sperm washing as an additional safety measure for reproductive procedures.
Q: How many cycles of treatment are typically needed?
A: This varies widely based on individual factors. Some couples conceive on their first attempt, while others may require multiple cycles. Your fertility specialist will provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.
Q: Are children born through these methods at higher risk for health issues?
A: No. Research following children conceived through these specialized fertility treatments shows no increased health risks compared to the general population.
Q: How do I choose the right fertility clinic for HIV-positive treatment?
A: Look for clinics with specific experience treating HIV-positive patients, dedicated laboratory protocols for sperm washing, and a multidisciplinary team that includes infectious disease specialists.
Next Steps and Consultation
If you’re HIV-positive and considering fertility treatment:
- Ensure optimal management of your HIV with your infectious disease physician
- Schedule a pre-conception consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist experienced in treating HIV-positive patients
- Bring complete medical records, including recent viral load test results
- Prepare questions about specific protocols, success rates, and costs
Resources and Support
- The Well Project: Information specifically for women living with HIV (www.thewellproject.org)
- HIV.gov: Government resource with information on HIV and reproductive health
- RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association provides support groups and resources (www.resolve.org)
- HIV Medicine Association: Professional organization with provider directories (www.hivma.org)
This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Individual treatment plans should be developed in consultation with healthcare providers specializing in both HIV care and reproductive medicine.