Female to Male Transgender Fertility Preservation
Boston IVF suggests several F to M transgender fertility preservation options.
Prior to Transition
If Single
Prior to transitioning and initiation of testosterone therapy, there is the option to become pregnant through intrauterine insemination using donor sperm.
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Partnered with a Man
If partnered with a man, the easiest and least expensive option is "traditional" conception via sexual intercourse. If the F to M partner is under 34 and a couple has tried to become pregnant for a year without success, consultation with a fertility specialist is advised. If F to M partner is over 34, consult a specialist for testing and evaluation after 6 months of trying to become pregnant without success.
If either partner is determined to have an infertility issue, health insurance may cover payment for infertility treatment.
Partnered with a Woman
If partnered with a woman prior to transitioning, there is the option to undergo IVF (In vitro fertilization) and have the female partner, not transitioning, carry the pregnancy. This procedure is referred to at Boston IVF as Reciprocal IVF. Read more ...
Egg and/or Embryo Banking
If having children prior to F to M transition is not possible, or you are not ready to have children, it is an option, prior to initiation of hormonal therapy, to go through egg retrieval and have your eggs cryopreserved (frozen) for future insemination with donor or male partner sperm. It is also an option, whether partnered prior to transition with either a man or woman, to undergo the complete process of in vitro fertilization, prior to initiation of hormonal therapy, stopping at the point of cryopreservation (freezing) of developed embryos.
In this scenario, if you become partnered with a man, you could attempt embryo transfer to a gestational surrogate to carry the pregnancy. If partnered with a woman, embryos could be transferred to your female partner and she would carry the pregnancy.
This information is provided for general education purposes and is not intended to take the place of a discussion with your physician. If you have questions about any aspect of your health, you are advised to speak with your physician.