Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. I am the uninfected partner in a serodiscordant couple. My husband and I are interested in having another child (we have one that was conceived and born before he was diagnosed). I have found a lab that will perform the sperm wash but am having no luck finding a doctor or clinic that will perform the insemination. Taking our chances with his undetectable viral load and my fertile periods is not an option he is willing to risk.
Can you help by giving me a lead or the name of some one (anywhere in the US) that might do this procedure?
Thank You
Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
We asked all of our doctors on the panel if they knew where sperm washing could be done in a case such as yours. Everyone agreed it is done in quite a few places-the only ones mentioned specifically were Columbia University (Obstetrics-Gynecology) as well as Detroit Medical Center. Your best bet might be to phone these specific places and simply be patient, assertive, and continue to ask.
We also checked the Internet and found one 2001 review editorial from the British Medical Journal which might help to address this further: http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/322/7286/566
Good luck, and may your persistence be rewarded!
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