LGBTQ+ fertility services

Key points

For LGBTQ+ couples and individuals seeking to start a family, assisted reproductive treatments from a fertility clinic often involve the use of eggs, sperm, or embryos provided by a third party. This type of assisted reproduction is commonly referred to as third-party fertility.
The fertility service options available depend on the reproductive systems of the LGBTQ+ individuals or couples and may include utilizing an egg, sperm, or embryo donor, or employing a gestational carrier (surrogate) to carry a pregnancy. These assisted reproductive treatments are typically facilitated through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). Additionally, LGBTQ+ patients may also encounter infertility issues that can be addressed through our fertility treatments.
PFC has established partnerships with law firms specializing in third-party fertility, allowing us to refer our LGBTQ+ patients for expert counselling in legal matters related to assisted reproduction. Our fertility specialists at PFC are highly experienced in providing compassionate guidance for LGBTQ+ patients, ensuring comprehensive support throughout the journey for treatment success and overall well-being.

LGBTQ+ Fertility Services

What are LGBTQ+ Assisted Reproductive Treatments?

Fertility testing plays a crucial role in the family-building process for all patients, irrespective of gender or sexual orientations. Consequently, all LGBTQ+ patients undergo a comprehensive reproductive health assessment before commencing treatment. This testing is essential to identify potential infertility issues and ensure that their reproductive systems are in optimal condition for the third-party fertility treatments they may require.

The initial phase of fertility testing involves a thorough discussion of medical history and a physical examination, including both individuals in a couple if applicable.

Additional fertility testing is tailored based on the individual’s fertility health indicators, any identified or suspected issues, and the specific assisted reproductive treatment suitable for the LGBTQ+ individual or couple.

For individuals with female reproductive systems, testing may include a pelvic exam, bloodwork to assess reproductive hormone levels, and a saline-infused sonohysterography (SHG or SIS), which employs ultrasound to assess the uterus, endometrial lining, and ovaries.

For those with male reproductive systems, testing primarily comprises a semen analysis to evaluate sperm quality and quantity. Structural issues that may require correction can be identified through physical examination.

In cases where the health history suggests a potential inheritable abnormality, such as cystic fibrosis, our specialist may recommend preconception genetic testing. This not only aids in preventing birth defects but also guides decisions on whether preimplantation genetic testing should be performed to screen embryos created through IVF for genetic defects that could impact a successful pregnancy or result in birth defects.

Fertility Testing

LGBTQ+ Couples and Individuals

Fertility testing plays a critical role in the family-building process for all patients, regardless of gender or sexual orientations. As such, all LGBTQ+ patients undergo a basic reproductive health assessment prior to initiating treatment. This fertility testing is essential to determine if the individuals have infertility issues and if their reproductive systems are in sound condition for the third-party fertility treatments they will need.

The first step of fertility testing begins with a comprehensive conversation about medical history and a physical exam. If applicable, this should include both individuals in a couple.

Other specific fertility testing will depend on indications of the individual’s fertility health, if any issues are evident or suspected, and the assisted reproductive treatment appropriate for the LGBTQ+ individual or couple.

Sonohysterography (SHG), semen analysis & other fertility tests

Testing for those with female reproductive systems can include a pelvic exam, bloodwork to determine reproductive hormone levels and a saline infused sonohyterography (SHG or SIS), which uses ultrasound to evaluate the uterus, the endometrial lining and the ovaries.

Testing for those with male reproductive systems mostly involves a semen analysis to determine sperm quality and quantity. Physical examination may reveal structural issues that need to be corrected.

If it appears from health history that an individual or couple might have an inheritable abnormality such as cystic fibrosis, our specialist may recommend preconception genetic testing. This can assist with preventing birth defects in a child as well as disclosing whether or not preimplantation genetic testing should be done to screen subsequent embryos created through IVF for genetic defects that can prevent a successful pregnancy or result in birth defects in the child.

LGBTQ+ Fertility Services

Why our LGBTQ+ Patients Feel Comfortable at PFC

Our fertility specialist Dr. Marcus has helped many LGBTQ+ patients have children of their own.
One of our own LGBTQ staff members went through third-party IVF and is now the father of a 5-year-old child. We are all so proud of him!
You have an individual patient care coordinator who is your helpful guide and personal resource through all aspects of care and interaction at PFC.
You will not be in a high-volume fertility clinic but in a boutique practice dedicated to spending quality time serving your needs and addressing your concerns.
Your doctor will see you at every visit, developing a finely detailed understanding of your medical condition while getting to know you as a person.
Our clinic is designed with the patient in mind, from the smallest details that provide a comfortable environment to the way we have streamlined administrative services.

LGBTQ+ Fertility Services

LGBTQ+ Fertility Treatments Based on IVF or IUI

Family-building treatments that are effective for LGBTQ+ patients involve utilizing donations from third parties and employing either IVF or IUI to transfer these contributions to the intended parent(s). In certain cases, additional assistance may be required, such as having another person carry the pregnancy and deliver the child, which can be achieved through IVF.

IVF is a multi-step process applicable to all aspiring parents, encompassing:

Ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval, either from the patient or an egg donor.
Fertilization of the eggs with sperm, obtained from the patient or a donor, within the laboratory.
Embryo transfer to the woman’s uterus, which can involve either the patient or a gestational carrier/surrogate.

Reciprocal IVF for couples with female reproductive systems involves a procedure similar to standard IVF. In this scenario, the eggs of one female or transgender male partner are retrieved and combined with donor sperm to create embryos. The other female or transgender male partner carries the pregnancy, and the resulting embryo is transferred to their uterus.

Both partners undergo identical steps to those in standard IVF, including ovulation induction, egg retrieval, and embryo implantation.

LGBTQ+ Fertility Services

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Lesbian couples, individuals, transgender men, or those with female reproductive systems not experiencing infertility issues may find IUI to be a viable and cost-effective option.

During IUI, our fertility specialist introduces pre-screened and cleaned donor sperm into the uterus of the “active” patient at the time of ovulation. To enhance the likelihood of fertilization, we typically utilize oral or injectable fertility medication. IUI strategically positions the sperm closer to the fallopian tubes where fertilization occurs, facilitating a more straightforward journey for the sperm to reach the egg compared to natural conception.

LGBTQ+ Fertility Services

Using Donor Eggs, Donor Sperm or Donor Embryos

The utilization of donor eggs, donor sperm, or donor embryos may become necessary for LGBTQ+ individuals or couples. All these treatments involve aspects of IVF, and donors of sperm, eggs, or embryos can either be known or anonymous to the recipient.

Anonymous donors can be selected through a donation agency, equipped with a database of qualified candidates. Patients can acquire information about potential donors’ physical characteristics, race, educational background, health, personality, and more through the agency. PFC maintains relationships with such donation agencies, and our providers help patients in their selection.

On the other hand, a known donor could be a family member or friend. Some patients prefer having a relationship with the donor. Opting for a family member as a donor ensures a genetic connection between the subsequent child and the LGBTQ+ parent.

Regardless of whether the donor is known or anonymous, all donors undergo rigorous screening and testing protocols to ensure that the specimens they provide are healthy and possess the potential for a successful pregnancy in the recipient.

Using donated eggs

An LGBTQ+ couple without a female reproductive system between them, which includes a gay couple, requires a donated egg and IVF to achieve pregnancy. The donor egg will be fertilized by one of the partner’s sperm or donated sperm through IVF in the lab.

The donated eggs can be divided into two groups, and each partner’s sperm is used to fertilize one group of eggs. Our specialists will determine the healthiest embryos that result. We will implant the embryo(s) in the intended parent’s womb for pregnancy or in a gestational carrier who carries the pregnancy. The parents can learn which of their genes is in the embryo or choose to leave that unknown.

PFC’s LGBTQ+ patients can choose from egg bank donations, which are frozen eggs, or from our own fresh (not frozen) donor eggs.

Egg donation overview

Donor sperm

Couples that do not have a male reproductive system, including lesbian couples, require donor sperm to have a child. Donated sperm generally comes from a sperm bank, which allows the recipient to view characteristics of the potential donor to match possible traits desired in the child.

Someone who can produce sperm gives a semen sample to the sperm bank, where the sperm is evaluated under strict protocols. Once the intended parent(s) selects a donor, that sperm is sent to our lab, where it is used in IVF to fertilize an egg. The resulting embryo is implanted in the recipient parent’s womb, or to a gestational carrier if the intended parent cannot carry a pregnancy.

See our donor sperm overview

Donor embryos

LGBTQ+ people may use a donated embryo because it eliminates the IVF step of fertilization of the egg by sperm to create an embryo, which may not be successful. We receive a frozen donated embryo, thaw it and implant it in the intended parent (or gestational carrier) for pregnancy. The resulting child will not have the genetics of either intended parents, but they will experience the joy of pregnancy and the birth of their child. Healthy embryos become available when more than one embryo is created through IVF, but the parents do not need the additional embryo(s). Patients may be able to use a frozen, healthy embryo donated by a couple who have used our fertility services and decided their family is complete. We can also help patients find a donated embryo through other services. PFC partners with the Snowflakes embryo donation service.

Gestational carriers or surrogates

Some LGBTQ+ patients, especially gay male couples, may need assistance in carrying the pregnancy. In these cases, utilizing a gestational carrier is the recommended process to build a family. This involves a woman who will carry an embryo created through IVF using another person’s eggs and sperm, or possibly a donated embryo.

The gestational carrier will not be genetically related to the child. A traditional surrogate is impregnated by artificial insemination using the intended parent’s sperm or donor sperm. Since her egg is fertilized, a traditional surrogate is genetically related to the child.

For several reasons, gestational carriers are preferred over a traditional surrogate. PFC assists LGBTQ+ patients obtain a gestational carrier and coordinates all aspects of treatment.

Legal considerations & emotional resources

Consulting an attorney to outline the rights, responsibilities and roles of all parties involved in egg, sperm or embryo donation is important. Such legal advice is particularly helpful when a gestational carrier is used.

That’s why we have partnered with law firms that specialize in the often complex legal particulars of third-party fertility and offer both expert advice and compassionate understanding. PFC can guide our LGBTQ+ patients in this area and refer them to our legal partners.

We also understand that some patients may face emotional challenges with third-party fertility. Our providers and the patient’s personal care coordinator can help with such issues and refer LGBTQ+ patients for psychological counseling with a professional experienced in third-party reproduction.

FAQ

Have Any Questions?

Here are common questions LGBT+ patients ask about assisted fertility services

These Q&A should help LGBT+ patients understand their options and the process involved in using assisted fertility services to build their families.

What legal issues should we be aware of when using assisted fertility services?

Legal considerations include parental rights, contracts with donors and surrogates, and state or country-specific laws regarding surrogacy and same-sex parenting. It's essential to work with a lawyer specializing in reproductive law to ensure all agreements are legally binding and protect your rights as parents.

Are there support resources for LGBT+ individuals and couples undergoing fertility treatments?

Many resources are available, including LGBT+ family-building support groups, online forums, counselling services, and organizations like the Family Equality Council and RESOLVE. Fertility clinics often have counsellors who specialize in supporting LGBT+ patients.

How do we select the right fertility clinic for our needs?

Consider the clinic's experience with LGBT+ patients, success rates, range of services, staff expertise, and support resources. Visiting clinics, meeting the staff, and reading reviews can help you find a welcoming and competent clinic.

What is the typical timeline for assisted fertility services?

The timeline varies based on the chosen method. IUI cycles take about a month, IVF cycles around 4-6 weeks per attempt, and surrogacy can take 1-2 years from finding a surrogate to the birth of the child. Each couple's journey is unique and may involve multiple attempts or additional steps.

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LGBTQ+ fertility services