LGBTQ+ family building

The desire to have a family isn’t dependent on gender, sexual orientation, or lifestyle. We know there are multiple paths for starting or building a family for LGBTQ+ people, and we’re here to help you with compassion and respect.

Make an appointmentCall 800-789-7366
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Leaders in LGBTQ+ health care equality

Penn Medicine proudly supports gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals in their dream to create a family. Within Penn Fertility Care, you have access to a variety of reproductive services that can help you start or build a family, ranging from simple fertility treatments to complex assisted reproductive technologies.

You receive the highest quality care from compassionate fertility experts who work with you to build your family on your terms. The first step is to schedule a consultation to discuss your options and make a plan that best fits your needs.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognizes Penn Medicine for our longstanding commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and equitable health care for everyone. This honor reflects the respectful, inclusive, and equitable health care we provide to all.

Fertility options for female same-sex couples

When it’s time to build a family, female same-sex couples have several things to consider. We listen to your desires and preferences to help create the right plan for you. Our care team walks you through donor sperm and egg options and discusses which partner will carry the pregnancy.

To help you conceive, we offer assisted reproduction options:

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
During IUI, your doctor places sperm directly into your uterus, increasing your chance of pregnancy.
INVOcell
With INVOcell, fertilization and early embryo development happen inside your body, not in a lab.
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
We help you overcome infertility and build your family with in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Fertility options for male same-sex couples

Our care team helps male same-sex couples decide how they want to build their family. We’ll discuss your options for whose sperm and eggs you’ll use, as well as who will carry the pregnancy. When you’re ready to conceive a child, our specialists provide assisted reproductive services like IVF and IUI.

Transgender family planning options

For transgender individuals who may wish to have children in the future, we recommend fertility preservation before starting hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery that can impact future fertility.

Within our state-of-the-art embryology lab, we offer egg freezing and sperm storage for IVF, IUI, or other assisted reproduction procedures when you’re ready to build your family. We use an advanced technique called vitrification, which quickly freezes eggs and sperm and prevents the formation of ice crystals. This technique reduces the risk of damage to banked eggs or sperm.

Complete LGBTQ+ fertility care by renowned specialists

In addition to assisted reproductive and fertility preservation services for LGBTQ+ couples and individuals, Penn Medicine offers advanced infertility treatments and support. We diagnose male and female infertility and can recommend an appropriate treatment plan based on your unique needs.

We provide compassionate support for the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of your fertility journey. You receive comprehensive care from specialists committed to helping you build the family you desire.

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Make an appointmentCall 800-789-7366