1. Treatment Options
2. Treatment Options/LGBTQ

Treatment Options/LGBTQ

There are many fertility services available for the LGBTQ community. RMA of Michigan is proud to offer fertility options to lesbian, gay and transgender individuals / couples wanting to create families. We work with patients to come up with a plan that works for each situation. There are a number of different treatment options available to same-sex and transgender couples. Available fertility treatments include donor sperm insemination (IUI), donor sperm IVF, egg donation and gestational carrier services. In addition, egg or sperm cryopreservation is available for individuals looking to undergo gender affirmation treatment.

Lesbian Fertility Options

Fertility options for lesbian couples typically include either intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). They will also need sperm from a known or anonymous donor. If they are in need of donor sperm we can assist them with contacts for sperm banks. Before starting the family building process lesbian couples should consider the following questions:

• Who will be providing the sperm?
• Who will be providing the eggs?
• Who will carry the baby?
• What will you do if the partner who wants to carry the baby ends up having medical issues that prohibit her from getting pregnant with IUI or IVF?
• Rarely, both women may have issues with egg quality or an absence of ovaries. However, if this was the case, it would mean donor egg would need to be considered if neither partner had the ability to produce quality eggs.

Usually IUI is the first course of fertility treatment for couple with no indicated fertility issues. If the couple is unsuccessful at achieving a pregnancy after a number of IUI attempts they will need to sit down with their physician to review whether or not there could be an underlying fertility issues preventing them from getting pregnant. Next steps will be determined at that time.

Gay Fertility Options

Gay couples wanting to have a baby will need to utilize donor egg and a gestational carrier or a known surrogate. If a couple needs a gestational carrier they will need to use an outside agency. Before starting the family building process gay couples should consider the following questions:

• Whose will be providing the sperm?
• Who will be providing the eggs?
• Who will carry the baby?
• Have you met with a reproductive lawyer?

IVF is the only fertility treatment option for gay couples wanting to have a family. The partner who is providing the sperm will have a semen analysis performed to ensure he has good quality sperm. If there are no issues with the sperm we will proceed with IVF using donor eggs and transfer back generally one embryo into the surrogate’s or gestational carrier’s uterus.

Call to schedule a consultation with one of our physicians at RMA of Michigan to discuss your LGBTQ fertility treatment options at (248) 619-3100.