Reproductive Options for Gay Couples and Single Men

Gay couples and single men have many reproductive options to grow a family. In fact, they have the same options as heterosexual couples. 

At CARE Fertility in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas, our co-founders, Drs. Kevin and Kathy Doody, believe everyone who wants a family has the right to have a family, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. We provide LGBTQ+ family building services for same-sex couples, and we cover those reproductive options here. 

Before we make any specific fertility treatment recommendations, we always conduct a thorough evaluation so we can fully understand your goals and your fertility concerns.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

IUI is a fertility treatment in which we place specially prepared donor sperm into the uterus of the birth mother. IUI is a great option for lesbian couples who want children. 

For women with a normal menstrual cycle, we offer natural IUI, injecting the donor sperm during normal ovulation without medication. For women with an irregular menstrual cycle or history of infertility, we combine IUI with clomiphene citrate, also called Clomid, to increase the number of eggs they release during ovulation. This increases your chances of a successful pregnancy.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

IVF is a fertility treatment in which we fertilize the egg in a lab and then insert the embryo into a woman’s uterus. IVF is a reproductive option for all gay couples and single men. We offer a few options for this treatment, including: 

IVF with donor sperm or donor egg

For IVF with donor sperm or donor egg, the procedure involves sperm or an egg from a healthy and fully screened anonymous donor. 

Reciprocal IVF

Reciprocal IVF is a reproductive option for lesbian couples where one woman supplies the egg and the other carries the baby in her womb. This treatment allows both women to take part in the pregnancy.

Effortless IVF®

Our founders developed effortless IVF, which uses the woman’s vagina as an incubator following fertilization instead of the lab. It’s less expensive than traditional IVF, making the process more affordable.

For this procedure, we follow the same initial steps as traditional IVF. However, we combine egg and sperm in an INVOcell® — small plastic cylinder — and place it in the vagina of the woman carrying the baby. 

Gestational surrogates

Gestational surrogates are women who carry a fetus from pregnancy to birth and have no biological ties to the baby. We recommend this option for gay couples and single men. Women who are unable to carry a baby may also choose to have a surrogate. 

Because a gestational surrogate isn’t biologically related to the baby and this option involves a gestational carrier contract, you’re less likely to experience any type of legal issue regarding parental rights. 

There have been many advances in reproductive options for all people, including gay couples and single men. Are you ready to start or grow your family? We can help. Call the CARE Fertility office near you, or schedule a consultation online today.