LGBTQ+ Family Building
LGBTQ+ Family Building For Everyone
At RGI, we are proud to be a chosen fertility partner for many aspiring LGBTQ+ parents on their family-building journeys.
We recognize the distinct paths to parenthood taken by each person hoping to build their family. Our commitment to our patients is to offer comprehensive and empathetic fertility services tailored to everyone. We invite you to discover our treatment options that support lesbians, gay men, and transgender individuals and couples as they pursue the joy of starting their own families.
Fertility Treatments for Lesbian Couples
We help lesbian couples grow the families they’ve dreamed of by providing several fertility treatments tailored to their needs. Options include intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and reciprocal IVF. These treatments typically involve the selection of donor sperm, either from someone known to the couple or an anonymous individual.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): IUI is a process in which sperm is directly placed into the uterus to help the sperm reach and fertilize the egg. In this treatment, the person planning to carry the child will be inseminated with sperm from a chosen donor.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Through IVF, we can retrieve eggs from one individual, fertilize them with donor sperm, and implant the embryo into the uterus. It is up to the couple to select a sperm donor and decide who will become pregnant.
Reciprocal IVF: This procedure is similar to traditional IVF but allows both partners to participate in the process of conception. One partner’s egg is used, and after fertilization with donor sperm, the embryo is transferred to their partner’s uterus. This offers a shared biological link to the child.
Donor Sperm: Couples with eggs will require a sperm donor to become pregnant. A sperm donor may be known to the couple or selected through a sperm bank. To simplify this process, RGI collaborates with various reputable donor sperm agencies, although couples are welcome to choose their own sperm bank.
Fertility Treatments for Gay Men
We fully support gay men and couples with sperm through their journey to parenthood. This is done through in vitro fertilization with a donor egg and a gestational surrogate.
In Vitro Fertilization: Sperm quality testing is performed for the individual(s) contributing sperm. Following testing, an egg donor and a gestational surrogate are chosen. The eggs are then fertilized with sperm and the embryos are implanted in a surrogate.
We also offer the option of split cycle IVF, in which donor eggs are divided into two groups and fertilized by each partner’s sperm. Embryos from each group can then be carried by surrogates, allowing both partners to have a genetic link to their children.
At RGI, we practice single embryo transfers to ensure the healthiest and safest experience for babies and surrogates. Because of this, split cycle IVF may involve multiple surrogates or the same surrogate in separate pregnancies.
Donor Egg: A journey involving two sperm providers will involve an egg donor to conceive. Egg donors may be someone the intended parents know, or a donor may be selected from an egg bank.
RGI is a proud partner of the Pinnacle Fertility network, through which all patients receive access to Pinnacle Egg Bank. Pinnacle Egg Bank offers a diverse range of medically vetted egg donors for families to choose from.
Gestational Surrogacy: A gestational surrogate carries the pregnancy with no biological link to the child. The embryos used for the pregnancy are made from donor eggs and the intended parent’s sperm, meaning the baby will have a genetic link to one partner and the egg donor.
As part of the Pinnacle Fertility network, you also receive exclusive access to Pinnacle Surrogacy, which offers a robust network of committed and thoroughly vetted surrogates.
Fertility Paths for Transgender Individuals and Couples
We make sure that the fertility process is comfortable and welcoming for everyone. Whether you are considering family-building or looking to preserve fertility before gender-affirming treatment, trans individuals and couples have several fertility options with us.
Fertility Preservation: Trans individuals may opt for sperm or egg freezing before starting gender-affirming treatments like hormone replacement therapy or surgery, preserving the potential for biological parenthood in the future.
For Patients Not On Hormones: Those not on hormones and who haven’t had gender-affirming surgery can consider IUI, IVF, and reciprocal IVF.
For Patients On Hormones: If you've started hormone therapy, a pause in treatment might be required to optimize fertility. Eggs require a six-month hormone pause, while sperm typically require a three to six-month pause.
Start Your Parental Journey With Us
RGI values diversity and is dedicated to providing the LGBTQ+ community with compassionate, inclusive, expert fertility care.