LGBTQ+ Family Building

Although gay men face more physiological and financial challenges when becoming parents, there are ways to overcome many of the obstacles! A female surrogate will be needed to carry the pregnancy.

Treatment options:

• Dual insemination
• Surrogacy

The long-term effects of exogenous testosterone therapy on ovarian function are still being researched. Testosterone therapy usually leads to an anovulatory state and amenorrhea, which can sometimes be reversed after stopping testosterone therapy.

Fertility treatment options:

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
• In vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Donor egg treatment

The testicles may be damaged by long-term exposure to estrogen. To date, the most successful option for transgender women to preserve their fertility is to freeze sperm (sperm cryopreservation) prior to starting hormone therapy.

Fertility treatment options:

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
  IUI increases the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes, therefore providing an advantage over unassisted fertilization. This treatment provides the sperm a head start, increasing the chances of fertilization. The sperm also bypass the cervical mucus, which also helps increase the chances for successful fertilization. An artificial ovulation trigger in the form of hCG (pregnancy hormone) can further optimize the timing of insemination.