Living with HIV does not mean you cannot have children. With effective treatment and careful planning, many people living with HIV have healthy pregnancies and babies who do not have HIV. Fertility treatment, including IVF, can be part of that plan when it is needed.
Is IVF possible for people living with HIV?
Yes. People living with HIV can have fertility assessment and treatment, including IUI, IVF and ICSI. Treatment is planned together with the HIV specialist, and the clinic follows laboratory procedures to handle samples safely.
The importance of HIV treatment
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the foundation of safe conception. When a person takes effective HIV medicines and has an undetectable viral load for at least six months, the risk of passing HIV to a sexual partner is effectively zero. HIV treatment also greatly reduces the risk of passing HIV to the baby during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.
Options when the male partner has HIV
- Effective treatment and an undetectable viral load: the foundation of reducing risk to the female partner
- PrEP for the female partner: HIV-negative partners can take preventive medicine
- Sperm washing with IUI or IVF: sperm are separated from seminal fluid before treatment. See sperm washing
- ICSI: a single sperm is injected into each egg. See ICSI
Options when the female partner has HIV
- Effective HIV treatment before and throughout pregnancy
- Self-insemination with the partner’s sperm can avoid exposure for an HIV-negative male partner, where there is no fertility problem
- IUI or IVF if there is an underlying fertility problem
- Close care during pregnancy and planning for delivery and infant feeding to protect the baby
Fertility tests
Couples affected by HIV have the same fertility tests as others, including hormone tests, ultrasound and semen analysis. Some HIV medicines and long-term illness can affect fertility, so a full assessment is useful.
Planning together
The best results come when the HIV specialist, fertility specialist and obstetrician work together. Talk to your HIV doctor before you start trying, so that your treatment and viral load are optimised.
Frequently asked questions
Can a man with HIV father a child without passing on HIV?
Yes. With effective treatment and an undetectable viral load, the risk of passing HIV to a partner is effectively zero. Sperm washing with IUI or IVF may also be used.
Can a woman with HIV have a baby without HIV?
Yes. With effective HIV treatment during pregnancy and careful planning around birth and feeding, the risk of passing HIV to the baby is very low.
Do IVF clinics treat people living with HIV?
Many clinics do, with appropriate laboratory safety procedures. Treatment is planned with the HIV specialist.
If you have questions about your own situation, you can meet our doctors at our Basavanagudi, Koramangala and Ballari centres, or contact us to book an appointment.
This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. Treatment decisions should be made with a qualified doctor who knows your history.