Our San Antonio fertility center is proud to offer a wide variety of fertility options for lesbian couples
Texas Fertility Center fertility doctors are proud to help lesbian couples start and grow their families through the use of donor sperm with intrauterine insemination, IUI, and in vitro fertilization, IVF. Our LGBT friendly fertility center in San Antonio adheres to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, ASRM, guidelines for third party reproduction, while utilizing breakthrough research to provide the highest quality care. Our fertility specialists are here to guide patients through lesbian fertility and family building.
A consultation with one of our San Antonio fertility doctors is the first step to discover fertility options for lesbian couples
Fertility treatment is no different for lesbian patients than it is for heterosexual patients. The process and treatment options are very similar.
The first step is a consultation.
During your consultation, you will discuss your medical history and your goals for fertility treatment. For example, if you are part of a lesbian couple, we will ask you which partner wants to take part in fertility treatment.
After your consultation, your next step is to undergo fertility testing. As with heterosexual patients, your overall fertility determines which treatment options will be available to you. If you are single, only you will be tested. However, if you are part of a lesbian couple, you and your partner may both choose to be tested.
After receiving your test results, we will recommend fertility treatment options. You will then decide how you wish to proceed. The most common treatment options include using donor sperm in IUI and IVF.
Understanding donor sperm options
Sperm can be used from an anonymous donor through a certified sperm bank, and this is the most common option. This sperm has been tested and quarantined for a minimum of 6 months and is often ready to use as soon as it can be shipped. This is a good option if time is of the essence or if you want to choose from a broad pool of readily available donors.
Alternatively, sperm may be donated by someone you know. However, just like anonymous donors, known sperm donors must go through a comprehensive medical and laboratory evaluation, as well as complete the legal documents required for sperm donation. Known sperm donation can be a good option if there are certain family genetic factors that you hope to continue or share a special relationship with someone who wants to help you build your family.
Understanding IUI as a fertility option for lesbian couples
IUI is one of the most efficient lesbian fertility options. Our fertility doctors recommend this procedure when fertility testing doesn’t indicate any significant issues.
The procedure is performed at our San Antonio fertility center. During the procedure, we will guide a catheter into your uterus and then deposit the washed and prepared sperm. Depending on your situation, we might also recommend that you take medication to induce ovulation and support the luteal phase after IUI.
Understanding IVF and reciprocal IVF for same-sex female couples
IVF is another family building option for lesbian fertility patients, but it’s a more complex procedure. You must first take injectable medication to stimulate egg production. Your doctor then removes eggs from your ovaries at the San Antonio IVF surgery center. The eggs are fertilized inside a laboratory and any healthy embryos are transferred back into your uterus using a catheter.
IVF is used in lesbian fertility if testing detects complex infertility issues or if a lesbian couple wants to pursue reciprocal IVF. Reciprocal IVF allows both partners to take part in the pregnancy, as one partner donates the egg and the other partner carries the pregnancy.
For more information about lesbian fertility options at our LGBT friendly fertility center, please contact our San Antonio fertility center.