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
Same sex male couple or friends playing with baby sitting on sofa at home together

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.

Diverse team of doctors having a discussion

Our doctors

Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.

View providers
Panoramic shot of Penn Medicine's downtown campus

Locations

Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.

View all locations

Related articles

Leadership to meet the needs of LGBTQ patients

As the inaugural medical director of LGBTQ+ Health at Penn Medicine, Kevin Kline, MD helps both patients and staff feel “seen, safe, and supported.”

  • May 29, 2024
Voices of Penn Medicine pride

Penn Medicine staff share views on building a health care environment that supports LGBTQ+ employees and patients.

  • June 30, 2023

Patient stories

Welcoming the first babies from Penn Fertility in Lancaster

Penn Fertility in Lancaster celebrated its first patients to have babies through the new practice.
Learn More

A personal perspective on gender-affirming care

A lifelong performer shares how she began enjoying life even more after facial feminization surgery, as part of her gender-affirming care.
Learn More

Faith, fate, and families

At the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn, a unique philanthropic investment is making rapid progress toward preventing and treating heritable cancer.
Learn More

Helping Black families to grow and thrive

To reverse a nationwide trend, Penn Medicine is taking bold action to improve maternal health and eliminate racial disparities for Black birthing parents.
Learn More

The road to recovery begins at home

Penn Medicine’s SNF at Home pilot program offers a seamless transition from the hospital to home with extra support to recover in familiar surroundings.
Learn More

Bringing the hospital home

With Penn Medicine Advanced Home Health, even patients facing a potentially serious medical issue can receive care safely at home.
Learn More

Heart health keeps this Penn cardiology patient running

An avid runner, once sidelined by heart issues, turned to Penn’s Sports Cardiology and Fitness Program to get him back on the race track.
Learn More

70-year-old bench press competitor tackles rare cancer

While receiving treatment at Penn for a rare cancer, bench press competitor Howard Aaron continued to make fitness an essential part of his life.
Learn More

ECMO saves recovering cancer survivor from lung failure

From cancer survivor to lung failure, Joey Porch’s journey took a miraculous turn with the help of the Penn Lung Rescue team
Learn More

Finding triple-negative breast cancer at 33, she chose ‘Team Penn’

Shocked to learn she had stage III breast cancer, Kate Korson knew just where to go. She flew home to Penn Medicine, where a clinical trial saved her life.
Learn More

Schedule an appointment

We can help you schedule an appointment or you can search our directory of specialists.

Make an appointmentCall 800-789-7366