Fertility Treatments For Same Sex Couples

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have provided many individuals and couples the opportunity to build their families. As well, it has enabled people to choose the terms of their family building. 

Whereas fertility treatments were more commonly used by couples of male-female pairing, same sex couples have increasingly turned toward fertility treatment to build their families, with great success rates.

The fertility treatment processes available for same sex female couples vary slightly compared to the fertility treatments for same same sex male couples. In this article we shall outline the steps involved in fertility treatments for both male and female same sex couples.  

Fertility Treatments For Same Sex Female Couples

When it comes to building their families, same sex female couples have a few different options. The decision on which treatment to use is typically based on the preferences of the couple, the values they hold for their family building journey, as well, their age.  

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is also known as therapeutic donor insemination (TDI). It relies on a person’s natural ovulation cycle and insemination is done during the ovulation window. This option also relies on donor sperm for fertilization, which could come from a known donor, or a third party donor via a sperm bank. 

Typically, the egg of the partner who will be carrying the pregnancy to term will be fertilized during their ovulation window. Donor sperm will remain in cryopreservation until the day ovulation occurs. On the day of ovulation,the donor sperm is thawed and implanted into the uterus of the partner who will carry the pregnancy. 

Sometimes, a healthcare provider will prescribe medications which will assist with the ovulation process. This is particularly useful if a patient does not ovulate regularly, or would like to have more than one mature egg for fertilization. 

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) 

Another option for family building that same sex female couples can use is IVF. This treatment is a bit more invasive than IUI, but has had a great track record of success in helping people to have children. 

The process involves stimulating the ovaries with medications to cause them to produce multiple eggs. Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved as a group in a process called a transvaginal oocyte retrieval. 

The eggs are fertilized using donor sperm  and the embryos are cultured in the incubator. This allows them to develop further for a few days before they are transferred to the uterus or frozen. 

Reciprocal IVF

With reciprocal IVF, the process of egg retrieval and insemination remains the same. The difference is that the eggs are retrieved from one partner and the embryo is implanted into the other partner’s uterus. 

Fertility Treatments For Same Sex Male Couples

When it comes to fertility treatments for same sex male couples, the couple can choose to work with a known egg donor, a third party donor, or an anonymous egg donation with a gestational carrier.

For each of these, medical clearance, legal contracts, and a psychological clearance are required before the process can begin. Additionally in each case, one or both partners’ sperm can be used for fertilization.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) With a Known Donor

When using a known donor, the donor undergoes ovarian stimulation and multiple eggs are retrieved. One half of the eggs are fertilized using one partners’ sperm, and the other half is fertilized using the second partner’s sperm. The embryos are typically inserted back into the uterus of the donor who then carries the pregnancy to term. 

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) With a Third Party Donor

Another option same sex male couples may choose is to work with a third party donor. The first step is to find a good donor match Following medical clearance, the donor undergoes a fresh IVF cycle for ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. On the day of the egg retrieval, the donor’s eggs are fertilized using each partner’s sperm. 

Anonymous Egg Donation With a Gestational Carrier

For this option, the couple uses frozen donor eggs to create embryos using their sperm. The couple will also seek a gestational carrier. This gestational carrier will have the embryos implanted in their uterus and carry the pregnancy to term for the couple.

In Conclusion

There are a variety of ways in which same sex couples can build their families. It is important for couples to speak with a professional healthcare provider in order to have the best medical support in building their families. 

Los Angeles Reproductive Center has extensive experience with same sex family building and are happy to help guide patients through this process. Contact us today for your personal consultation with our team of professionals.