Having children is the most basic human need, including for those infected with HIV. Sperm washing is a method performed to select sperm for injection into the uterus of the woman or for in vitro fertilization. This method enhances the success rate for assisted reproductive cases. Can this method be applied to couples with HIV?
1. Can sperm washing for couples with HIV completely eliminate the risk of transmitting HIV to the child?
Couples infected with HIV who want to have children need consultation and assistance from medical professionals to avoid the scenario where the child is born unhealthy or may become a burden on society.
An HIV-positive mother can transmit the virus to her child. Previously, those infected with HIV were discouraged from becoming pregnant and giving birth; however, now, thanks to significant advancements in modern medicine, HIV-positive individuals can still lead a healthy and extended life. HIV is now viewed as a chronic illness that can be managed.
An HIV-positive man can have a safe child if he undergoes sperm washing followed by in vitro fertilization, and then the embryo is implanted into his wife’s body.
In reality, in Vietnam, individuals infected with HIV are not encouraged to have children, although it is not explicitly prohibited.
2. The sperm washing method can reduce the risk for your child.
Sperm is placed into a available chemical (sperm culture medium) and is then put into a centrifuge. Thanks to the effect of centrifugal force, healthy sperm will move to one side, while weak, deformed sperm and seminal fluid will move to the other side. If there is HIV virus in the seminal fluid, it will also be separated from the sperm. By the centrifugation method, HIV virus can be removed, just like other pathogens or toxins present in the seminal fluid. However, whether this method achieves a complete 100% effectiveness cannot be confirmed. This is because HIV can exist within the sperm cells themselves, not just in the seminal fluid, so this washing method may be useless; the child could still be infected with the HIV virus.
Sperm washing is a technique to remove seminal fluid to reduce the risk of transmission to the child, but it does not completely eliminate the risk of infection. It is also not an absolutely safe method. There is a 5% risk of a positive sperm sample after sperm washing.
Although sperm washing has not achieved 100% effectiveness, the presence of this method provides great hope for couples infected with HIV.
After receiving complete information about health and transmission risks, couples infected with HIV can make their own decision about whether or not to have children, as this is the legitimate right of all couples.
3. Conditions for couples with HIV to perform sperm washing method
Assisted reproductive technology using the sperm washing method is only applicable to couples where the husband is HIV-positive and the wife is HIV-negative.
The wife needs to be monitored to rule out the possibility of being in the window period for HIV, meaning an HIV negative test after 6 months from the first negative test. During all sexual intercourse, the couple must use condoms.
The wife needs to undergo some examinations such as a hysterosalpingogram, while the husband needs to perform a sperm analysis. If the wife’s fallopian tubes are open, sperm washing can be performed and then injected into the wife’s uterine cavity.
For couples with HIV, to have children safely and healthily, it is necessary to go to reputable medical facilities to receive consultation from healthcare professionals regarding reproductive issues, success rates, as well as the potential benefits and risks for the child. Additionally, couples need to prepare for treatment costs if this process takes a long time.
