Family-Building Options For LGBTQ Couples
Same-sex couples face additional obstacles when going through fertility treatments. From the financial to the biological aspects of starting a family, LGBTQ couples’ family-planning journey can be more complicated compared to heterosexual couples’. Fortunately, a variety of fertility options, such as donor eggs and sperm, are available for gay and lesbian couples looking to become parents.
Where to find fertility assistance?
LGBTQ couples can start with an initial consultation with a primary care physician or a recommended fertility specialist. A physician can review the patient’s medical history, perform fertility testing, and provide referrals for donor agencies. Donor agencies screen for egg and sperm donation as well as for surrogate carriers.
Treatment options for gay couples
Gay couples require eggs and a gestational carrier to have a baby successfully. For gay couples, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a popular treatment option where a partner’s sperm is used to fertilize a donor egg in a lab. A gestational carrier is responsible for the delivery of the child for the same-sex couple.
Gay couples can start with an initial consultation with a fertility specialist for a complete physical assessment. Afterward, the couple can begin the search for donor eggs and a gestational carrier. Donor eggs can be acquired through a friend, family member, or donor bank.
Treatment options for lesbian couples
Lesbian couples are eligible for more options than gay couples. One of the most popular fertility treatments is intrauterine insemination (IUI). During IUI, donor sperm from a known or anonymous source is inserted into a woman’s uterus for fertilization. Couples can source donor sperm from friends or a sperm bank.
Women in same-sex couples can also suffer from common fertility issues, including diminished ovarian reserve, endometriosis, miscarriage, and prior IUI failure. For couples with reproductive fertility issues, IVF can be a good option. Both procedures involve combining the sperm and egg outside the uterus and placing the fertilized embryo in the woman’s uterus.
Choosing a sperm donor
Using a sperm donor is a relatively simple process. Couples can choose a known donor and perform affordable and non-invasive sperm analysis to determine the viability of the sperm sample. Donor banks provide extensive information about donors, perform mental health screenings, and provide the legal framework necessary to streamline the process.
Schedule an appointment
Couples can schedule a consultation with a fertility specialist to learn more about fertility treatment options. A specialist can perform proper diagnostic testing and provide a personalized treatment plan to treat any fertility issues. Modern treatment options now help nearly anyone become a parent.
