Am I a Candidate for Fertility Treatment If I Am HIV Positive?

Living with HIV no longer means giving up your dreams of parenthood. Advances in medical science have created pathways to parenthood for individuals who are HIV positive, with specific protocols and techniques designed to ensure both parent and child safety. The question now isn’t whether fertility treatment is possible, but rather which options are most appropriate for your specific situation.

At Chedid Grieco, we understand that every fertility journey is unique, especially for individuals living with HIV. Our team is committed to providing personalized care that addresses your specific medical needs while supporting your family-building goals.

How Does HIV Affect Your Fertility?

HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, does not necessarily affect your fertility directly. Many HIV-positive individuals have normal reproductive function. However, certain considerations must be addressed when pursuing fertility treatments. 

These considerations include the following:

• Viral load management through antiretroviral therapy
• Potential transmission risk to partners or offspring
• Specialized washing techniques for sperm from HIV-positive men
• Medication interactions between HIV treatments and fertility medications

With proper medical management and specialized fertility procedures, HIV-positive individuals can pursue parenthood safely. Your health status, viral load, and specific fertility needs will determine the most appropriate treatment path. To better understand the right fertility options for your parenthood dreams, consult with our team of fertility experts today!

Fertility Options for HIV-Positive Individuals

The fertility treatments available to HIV-positive individuals depend on several factors, including which partner is affected, viral load status, and baseline fertility. Here are the primary options available for intended parents who want to build a family:

Options For HIV-Positive Women

If you’re an HIV-positive woman with an undetectable viral load and are on effective antiretroviral therapy, you may be eligible for several fertility treatments. These include the following:

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) using partner or donor sperm
• In vitro fertilization (IVF) with your own eggs
• Egg freezing for future family building
• Surrogacy in cases where pregnancy may pose health risks

The key factor is maintaining an undetectable viral load through consistent antiretroviral therapy, which significantly reduces transmission risk to both partners and future children.

Options For HIV-Positive Men

Men living with HIV can father children without transmitting the virus through specialized techniques. These are as follows:

• Sperm washing procedures to separate sperm from seminal fluid (where the virus is present)
• IUI using washed sperm
• IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using washed sperm
• Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for female partners as an additional safeguard

Sperm washing has been used successfully for many years with no documented cases of HIV transmission when properly performed.

What Is the Consultation Process For HIV-Positive Intended Parents?

If you’re HIV-positive and considering fertility treatment, your journey with us begins with a comprehensive consultation. This initial meeting will include the following steps:

• Complete review of your medical history and current HIV management
• Assessment of your reproductive health and fertility status
• Discussion with our reproductive specialists about treatment options
• Coordination with your infectious disease specialist
• Personalized treatment planning that considers both your fertility goals and health requirements

We prioritize a multidisciplinary approach, working closely with your infectious disease specialists to ensure your treatment plan optimizes both your reproductive and overall health.

What Are Success Rates and Considerations For HIV-Positive Intended Parents?

Modern fertility treatments offer excellent success rates for HIV-positive individuals. With proper management, pregnancy outcomes are comparable to those in the general population. However, several factors should be considered. 

These factors include the following:

• The importance of maintaining an undetectable viral status throughout treatment and pregnancy
• Potential need for specialized laboratory procedures
• Coordination between fertility and infectious disease specialists
• Additional testing and monitoring requirements
• Insurance coverage and financial considerations

Each case is unique, and our team develops individualized protocols to address your specific circumstances while maximizing your chances of success.

Why Choose Chedid Grieco for Your Fertility Journey

At Chedid Grieco, we offer specialized reproductive medicine services for individuals and couples living with HIV. Our cutting-edge laboratory in São Paulo, Brazil, is equipped with advanced technology specifically designed for these specialized procedures, ensuring both safety and effectiveness. Our team has nearly 30 years of experience in reproductive medicine, with specific expertise in treating patients with unique medical considerations. We are proud supporters of LGBTQI+ families and offer multilingual support in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French to ensure clear communication throughout your journey.For those seeking high-quality fertility care at a more affordable price point, our international program offers significant cost savings compared to US-based treatments while maintaining the highest standards of care. Consultations are conveniently available in Miami, Florida, allowing you to begin your journey close to home, with treatments conducted at our state-of-the-art facility in Brazil. Contact us today through our contact form or call (305) 912-0050 to discuss how we can help you build your family.