Question
I am looking for information about sperm washing?
11 May 2015. Related: All topics, Pregnancy.
I am looking for information about sperm washing. I am based in the UK. I am HIV positive and heard that sperm washing is a way to have kids without giving your partner HIV.
Answer
Hi,
Sperm washing is a process that involves separating sperm from a man’s seminal fluid. Sperm cells themselves to not contain HIV.
This method is not used much anymore. This is because we now have much more information about how treatment reduces the risk of transmission. Treatment significantly reduces the risks of transmission. If a positive partner has an undetectable viral load the risk of transmission is extremely low. Because of this most couples now choose to conceive naturally. That means having sex without a condom.
Sperm washing can be expensive and will not necessarily be available on the NHS. It also does not have a very hight rate of conception, compared with condomless sex.
Because of this, and what we know know about undetectable viral loads it is being offered and recommended far less.
You can find more information about sperm washing and conceiving in our online guide. If you still interested in sperm washing you can also find information where to go on that link.
Hi Sbongile,
Very few activities have a 100% risk or 100% safety. The risk for any single exposure is usually somewhere in between these extremes.
Please see this guide for more info. If you are worried that you may be HIV positive, the only way to know your HIV status is to take an HIV test.
hi i just want to know can i get hiv if the man he didn’t sperm in side me
Hi Irene,
If your partner is HIV positive that should not stop you having a baby. Many sero-different couples (where one partner is positive and the other is negative), have had healthy HIV negative babies.
Importantly, your partner would have to be on HIV treatment (ART) with an undetectable viral load. Is your partner taking ART? Please see more info on this link.
And it’s safe to conceive naturally if your partner has an undetectable viral load. But you can talk to your doctor about planning your pregnancy.
Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
I’m 41 year old hiv neg,my partner is hiv pos,we’re planning to have a baby,what are safe methods?