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The population of transgender people across the United States alone is estimated to be about two million, and around a quarter of that number are parents. However, a lot more transgender and nonbinary people want to have children and start their own families but they feel as though that option isn’t available to them.
The good news is that it is an option for them. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recently published an ethics review stating denying transgender and nonbinary individuals any access to fertility services is unjustified.
The fertility options available to transgender people depend on what stage of transition they’re currently at. The following are safe and effective ways for transgender individuals to have children and start a family:
1. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
This process is relatively simple. It involves increasing the chances of egg fertilization by placing the sperm directly into the uterus.
IUI options for transgender men are:
- Using the sperm of their partner
- Using the sperm of a donor
IUI options for transgender women are:
- Using a fresh semen sample or using one that had been frozen and preserved
- Placing the sperm directly into the uterus of their partner
- Placing the sperm directly into the uterus of a gestational carrier
2. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In this process, fertilization is done separately from the patient’s uterus. The sperm and egg are placed together in a laboratory setting for fertilization to take place. Once it’s finished, the embryo is then placed directly into the uterus of the patient.
IVF options for transgender men include:
- Using their own eggs, or from their partner or from a donor
- Placing the embryo directly into their own uterus, or the uterus of their partner, or the uterus of a gestational carrier
IVF options for transgender women include:
- Using their partner’s eggs or from a donor
- Placing the embryo directly into the uterus of their partner or the uterus of a gestational carrier
