LGBT

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)

CMD Fertility encourages couples in the LGBT community to achieve their dream of creating a family. Patients may need to undergo treatments including egg donation, sperm donation, and/or surrogacy and we are here to help. The success rates of these treatments are typically high and helping LGBT couples become parents is something we are passionate about.

Reproductive Options for Lesbian Women

A lesbian woman has the option to conceive with the potential use of her own egg and an intrauterine insemination (IUI). The sperm used to fertilize the eggs can be from a friend, relative, or an anonymous donor from a sperm bank. In general, a basic evaluation of ovarian reserve and of the uterus is still recommended. Depending on the individual and her ovarian function, a woman may elect to do an IUI in combination with her natural menstrual cycle or with the assistance of either oral or injectable medications depending on her reproductive health.

Alternatively, if a lesbian couple desires pregnancy, then the couple must decide who will carry the pregnancy and, if desired, the other partner may choose to donate her eggs to be fertilized with donor sperm via in vitro fertilization. Once mature, the fertilized egg will then be transferred back to the partner carrying the pregnancy. This is a more complex process and requires that both partners be tested and take medications.

Reproductive Options for Gay Men

Gay couples and single men can build their families with the combination of donor eggs, their own sperm, and a gestational carrier. An egg donor can be someone known to the individual/couple or can be anonymous through an agency. For the individual wishing to use his sperm, he will undergo a semen analysis to ensure that there is no male factor present that could lead to unsuccessful egg fertilization. Gestational carriers are selected for the healthy uterine environment we anticipate that they can provide to carry the pregnancy.

The chance of conceiving is dependent on the age and reproductive health of the egg donor. In general, pregnancy rates with anonymous egg donation are very high as the egg donors are young.