Get started on the path to parenthood with fertility testing for gay men
Adoption isn’t your only family-building option as a gay man. Our San Antonio LGBTQ fertility specialist offers fertility testing for gay men. These tests can help you get started on the journey to welcome a healthy baby with the help of egg donation and gestational surrogacy. Testing provides the baseline information our team needs to develop a customized treatment plan for you.
What happens at the first fertility appointment?
During your first appointment, you will meet Erika Munch MD. You’ll discuss more than just your family-building goals. Together, you’ll also review your medical and family history. Dr. Munch will then recommend fertility testing for you and your partner, if applicable. Should you have any questions, our San Antonio LGBTQ fertility specialist will answer all of them. Her goal is to ensure you feel comfortable with every step of the process.
What is involved with fertility testing for gay men?
The most common type of fertility testing for gay men is a semen analysis. Although gay men must rely on donor eggs and a surrogate, they do provide the sperm to fertilize the eggs. As a result, Dr. Munch will want to ensure that you and your partner don’t have any fertility issues that could interfere with conception.
The semen analysis requires patients to provide a semen sample through masturbation. We recommend abstaining from ejaculation for at least 48 hours before providing the sample. Once our andrologists receive the sample in the laboratory, they will examine it and record the following characteristics.
- Semen volume
- Sperm concentration, or the number of sperm per volume of semen
- Motility, or the percentage of swimming sperm
- Morphology, or the percentage of sperm with a normal size and shape
If any of these factors are abnormal, or other issues are present, Dr. Munch may make a referral to a local urologist (a doctor specializing in the male reproductive tract). However, if she finds no problems, you can proceed with in vitro fertilization (IVF) using donor eggs.
We believe families come in all shapes and sizes
Whether you’re single or a married man, our San Antonio LGBTQ fertility specialist believes that you have the right to have a family. If you’re ready to start fertility testing for gay men, contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more.