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LGBT Families: Family Building Options for Gay and Lesbian Couples

Building a family is a dream that all couples should be able to realize. Now, thanks to advances in reproductive technology, building a family is more possible than ever before for lesbian and gay couples. With the help of donors, gestational surrogates, and reproductive technology, you can build the family of your dreams. But what are the options available to you? In honor of Pride Month, the fertility experts of IVF FLORIDA are here to go over the various family building options available to gay and lesbian couples.

Building a Family for Lesbian Couples

For many lesbian couples, one of the easiest and most common ways to achieve a pregnancy is through Intrauterine Insemination using donor sperm. This is a simple procedure in which sperm is injected into the uterine cavity during ovulation. For lesbian women who have no fertility issues, this is often the most common course of treatment.  The couple simply has to decide which partner will carry the pregnancy and select a sperm donor in order to achieve pregnancy.

Another option for lesbian couples is In Vitro Fertilization. This is the option often used when both partners have difficulty conceiving using Intrauterine Insemination, or when both partners want to have a role in conceiving and carrying a child using reciprocal IVF. In this process, it is important to decide which partner will provide the eggs, and if different, which partner will carry the pregnancy to term. The partner providing the eggs will take fertility medications to encourage the production of multiple eggs, which will then be retrieved using a simple outpatient procedure. The eggs will then be fertilized with donor sperm in the lab to create embryos. The best embryo(s) will then be transferred to the partner who will be carrying the pregnancy.

Many lesbian couples who choose to use reciprocal IVF enjoy the fact that both partners can have a role in creating their child, with one providing the genetic material and the other being able to carry them to term. To learn more about which options would be best for you, contact us today at 866-770-2168.

Family Building for Gay Couples

For gay men and their partners, building a family is generally accomplished through donor egg IVF and the use of a surrogate. For this, the partners select an egg donor and decide which partner will be the biological father. That partner will provide a sperm sample which will be used to fertilize the donor eggs and create embryos. Once the embryos have been created, the couple can concentrate on finding a gestational surrogate who can carry the pregnancy to term. Once the surrogate has been selected, the best embryo(s) can then be transferred into her uterus to be carried to term.

Some couples would prefer not to know which one is the biological father of the child. In these cases, it is possible to combine the sperm of both partners and use that to fertilize the eggs.

There are many ways to build a family, and for couples who would like children who are biologically related to them, advanced reproductive technologies like IUIs and IVF can help them build the family of their dreams. If you would like to learn more about the family building options available to lesbian or gay couples, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Ovarian Cancer & Fertility: What to Know

If you’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you already have plenty to worry about – from surgery and the following treatment to how you are going to cover the cost. So when women with ovarian cancer learn that their treatment plan may cause them to become infertile, it is yet another blow that can cause stress and worry. But how does ovarian cancer and its treatment impact fertility? And are there any family building options for women after completing treatment? In honor of World Ovarian Cancer Day this year (May 8^th), our fertility experts are going over everything you need to know regarding ovarian cancer and fertility.

Different Treatment Plans Can Have Different Impacts on Fertility

Depending on your particular type of ovarian cancer, your treatment plan and its impact on your fertility can vary. For some women, their type of ovarian cancer can require a full hysterectomy – removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus – making it impossible to conceive naturally. While a full hysterectomy may not be necessary, it is possible the both ovaries may need to be removed, leaving the uterus intact, or in certain occasions one ovary may not be removed. If you are able to keep one ovary, the remaining ovary may still provide you with the ability to conceive and prevent you from going into premature menopause.

Another concern for women undergoing cancer treatment is the impact of chemotherapy on their fertility when only one ovary needs to be removed. In some cases, chemotherapy can damage the remaining ovary and increase the risk of earlier menopause.

Speaking With Your Oncology Team

Regardless of your treatment plan, you should consult with you oncology team if your future fertility is a concern. They will likely refer you to a qualified fertility specialist with experience in oncofertility. At IVF FLORIDA, we have been helping cancer patients preserve their fertility and/or build families using third party options. To learn more about our fertility preservation options, contact us today at 954.247.6200 and schedule a consultation.

Fertility Options Pre- and Post-Treatment

For women with certain types of ovarian cancer, it may be possible to preserve their fertility prior to starting cancer treatment. In these cases, women who are able to delay treatment can bank eggs or embryos for use after treatment. Depending on whether or not you have a complete hysterectomy, the embryos can then be implanted in your uterus or that of a surrogate using IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). For women who are unable to bank eggs or embryos prior to treatment, there is still hope. Use of donor eggs and a surrogate can still enable them to build the family of their dreams.

Thanks to advancements in reproductive technology, a cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to mean the end of your dreams of having a family. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and want to learn more about your fertility preservation options, we are here to help. Contact us at 954.247.6200 to schedule a consultation with one of our fertility specialists and learn more.

6 Infertility Facts for National Infertility Awareness Week

It's National Infertility Awareness Week, a time during which we focus on spread awareness of infertility and providing support to those who struggle with the disease. In order to spread infertility awareness and provide support, it's important to know the facts about this condition that impacts 1 in 8 couples. Here, the fertility experts of IVF FLORIDA's South Florida fertility clinic go over six facts you need to know if you're participating in National Infertility Awareness Week.







If you or someone you love is struggling with infertility, you are not alone. To learn more about spreading awareness or providing support this week and throughout the year, contact us at 954.247.6200. If you're trying to conceive without success, schedule an appointment with us today - time is of the essence.

5 Ways to Support Loved Ones with Infertility

April is National Infertility Awareness Month, when we focus on raising awareness to this common disease and finding ways to offer support to those who are struggling. Infertility impacts 1 in 8 couples, so it’s likely that you have a family or friend who has or will deal with infertility. Infertility can take a toll on an individual, emotionally and physically, making having a strong support system critical. So how can you provide loved ones struggling with infertility with the support they need? Below, the fertility experts of IVF FLORIDA offer five ways you can offer friends and family the infertility support they need.

1. Learn About Infertility

One key way to be a supportive friend is to learn as much as you can about infertility. This is not so you can offer treatment or diet suggestions, but instead so you can understand what your friend may be going through. Learning what goes into fertility treatment can help you understand why your friend needs to head home at a specific time to take medication and can keep you from responding with shock if they tell you they need to inject themselves with fertility drugs multiple times each day. Additionally, you can learn what the common misconceptions around infertility are, so you can avoid repeating them.

2. Learn What to Say – and Not to Say

When someone you love is struggling with infertility, it’s important to offer words of support. Commiserating with their feelings (I’m so sorry, that’s awful), asking them what you can do to help, and letting them know that you’re there for them if they ever want a shoulder to cry on can do wonders. As for what not to say? That list is a little bit longer. Make sure not to say anything that minimizes their feelings or their efforts to get pregnant – saying “It’s not that bad!” or “You just need to relax!” will definitely not help. Additionally, don’t go on about what other options are available to them as they’ve likely considered every option available to them.

3. Offer Up Distractions

For couples going through infertility, it can often seem as if their world revolves around it – injection schedules, blood draws, invasive scans – it can be overwhelming. So what can you do? Offer up some distractions! Invite your friend out for a movie, lunch, a hike, anything that can help them get their mind off of their fertility treatment. Sometimes a little break from the infertility grind is just what the doctor ordered.

4. Run Interference

Holidays, birthday parties, baby showers, and other big social events can feel like a minefield for those struggling with infertility. At one point or another, someone will likely ask your friend about their plans to have children or will start complaining about the difficulties of parenting. This can be incredibly painful for your friend, and finding a graceful way to navigate these conversations can be a big source of anxiety. To help, try to run a little interference (with your friend’s permission, of course). When one of these subjects come up, try to steer the conversation in another direction so they don’t have to answer intrusive questions or hear someone go on about how hard the sleepless nights are when they would do anything to have that problem.

5. Support Advocacy Organizations

Infertility impacts every aspect of the lives of those who deal with it, from financial to emotional.  Infertility advocacy organizations like RESOLVE offer resources and support for those struggling with the disease – from support groups to fertility grants. These organizations also lobby on the local and national level to push states to mandate insurance coverage for fertility treatment (in most states, insurance companies aren’t required to cover infertility services) which can help lower the financial burden families face when undergoing fertility treatment. To support organizations like RESOLVE, you can donate, volunteer, or participate in your local Walk of Hope.

Trying to figure out how to support loved ones struggling with infertility can feel overwhelming, but by following these five tips you’ll be well on your way to being a supportive family member or friend to your loved one. If you or someone you know is struggling with infertility, or if you would like more information on how you can support someone in your life who is infertile, contact the fertility experts at IVF FLORIDA today at 866.770.2168.

5 Facts About Endometriosis: What to Know

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month! In honor of this month, the fertility experts at IVF FLORIDA go over what you need to know about this painful disease that impacts millions of women in their latest infographic.

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Endometriosis can have a profound impact on your life - including making it more difficult for you to conceive. If you have endometriosis and are having difficulty conceiving, contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of the fertility specialists at IVF FLORIDA, by giving us a call at 866.770.2168.