Pinnacle Fertility | LGBTQ Family Building
Transgender Family Building for Couples
At Pinnacle Fertility, we welcome all transgender patients and strive to make our clinics welcoming to all individuals and family types. At our clinics, a safe and comfortable place is provided, including using your name and pronouns.
Fertility Treatment Options for Transgender Couples
While we understand that every journey to parenthood is unique, below we’ve outlined a few common paths for transgender couples building a family.
Split Cycle IVF Journey
Split Cycle IVF Journey
—both partners with sperm
Split Cycle In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) for Trans Couples
Trans couples where both individuals have the ability to provide sperm and both intend to be genetic parents have the opportunity to pursue a split cycle.
For split cycles, both partners provide sperm which is used to create embryos that are genetically related to each partner. ORM’s highly experienced team specializes in coordinating split cycles, and we are here for our patients every step of the way.
For split cycles, the couple will need the help of an egg donor and a surrogate. ORM’s large database of distinguished egg donors is designed to easily find a donor suitable for a split cycle. The donors appropriate for split cycles have all been screened to ensure they yield enough eggs for a two-sperm provider cycle.
Once an egg donor has been selected and undergoes an egg retrieval, the eggs yielded are then divided into two groups. Half of the eggs are fertilized by sperm from one partner and the other half are fertilized by sperm from the other partner—all in our laboratory where they are grown into embryos. An embryo created from each person’s sperm will then be transferred into the uterus of a gestational surrogate to be carried to term.
We have close relationships with over 30 surrogacy agencies across the U.S. For our partner surrogacy agencies, we’ve prescreened all surrogate candidates for carrying up to two embryos, giving our intended parents the best chance at a successful pregnancy.
Reciprocal IVF Journey
Reciprocal IVF Journey
—both partners with eggs
Reciprocal In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) for Trans Couples
Trans couples that consist of both partners with eggs can consider reciprocal IVF. With reciprocal IVF, the couple will select an anonymous or known sperm donor and one partner will undergo ovarian stimulation and surgical egg retrieval. The eggs will then be fertilized with the donor sperm in our embryology laboratory, after which the embryos are transferred to the other partner’s uterus to be carried.
IVF Journey
IVF Journey
—one partner with eggs and one with sperm
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) for Trans Couples
Trans couples that have a partner with eggs who are not taking testosterone and still have their own ovaries and uterus can also consider IVF treatment. Trans folks with eggs choosing to pursue IVF will utilize a partner’s or donor’s sperm and undergo surgical egg retrieval. The eggs are fertilized by sperm in our embryology laboratory instead of inside the body. The embryos are then transferred back into the trans individual's uterus in hopes of achieving a successful pregnancy. IVF is the most advanced and effective fertility treatment available today.
IUI Journey
IUI Journey
—one partner with eggs and one with sperm
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) for Trans Couples
Trans couples that have a partner with the ability to produce sperm and a partner with ovaries and a uterus may consider utilizing intrauterine insemination (IUI). With an IUI, the sperm is specially prepared and then placed directly into the partner’s uterus around the time of ovulation. Alternatively, if the trans couple seeking fertility care can no longer provide sperm, they can select a known or anonymous sperm donor and their partner can undergo donor insemination and carry the pregnancy. If attempts with IUI do not result in a pregnancy, further treatment options may include the use of fertility drugs with IUI or IVF treatment.