Multiple Treatment Possibilities for Members of LGBTQ+ Community

Here at AFRM we help build loving families and understand that there is not only one way to become a parent. We are here to help you fulfill your family building goals and there are several options available to the LGBTQ+ community. Depending on sperm and egg availability, here are some treatment possibilities for using third party reproduction (sperm, egg, or uterus).

  1. If a single parent who has eggs or two partners with eggs would like to have children, we have the option of using donor sperm for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). The option would depend on age of the patient, health of the fallopian tubes, and size of desired family unit. There is also the possibility of doing reciprocal IVF when one partner provides the eggs and the other carries the pregnancy with the use of donor sperm. There is also the option of IVF using donor egg.
  2. If the parents both have sperm, then use of donor egg and a gestational carrier (a different individual who would carry the pregnancy) would be necessary. Our goal is to protect intended parents. Based on Texas law, in this case the couple would have to be married to use surrogacy. It is important to note that the person providing the eggs cannot be the same person carrying the pregnancy.
  3. For the trans community fertility preservation prior to transitioning may be an option, such as freezing sperm or eggs.  We can also help you understand how hormone treatments/surgery may affect future fertility.
  4. Co-parenting and larger family units can have multiple permutations and we recommend support from a family lawyer and a reproductive psychologist to protect the rights of parents and children.

AFRM is dedicated to our patients and we are here to help every step of the way to achieve parenthood. Dr. Maya Barsky has specifically undergone Open Door training with Family Equality designed to help professionals engage with the LGBTQ+ community with sensitivity and competence.