At Manchester Fertility, we are proud of our work to support and guide our patients on their individual fertility journeys. As an award-winning clinic with over 35 years of experience creating families and a team who works tirelessly to provide exceptional care, we offer treatment to everyone, whatever their gender, relationship status or sexual orientation.
Our patient experience offers the right balance of compassion, medical advice, and legal guidance, no matter your circumstances. Being a Manchester-based fertility clinic, we see a large number of LGBT+ patients who are looking for parenting treatment options and want to feel comfortable with a team and confident in their ability to provide quality care.
We passionately support the LGBT+ community from the events we attend, such as Pride and The Modern Family Show, to the partners we support such TwoDadsUK, My Surrogacy and LGBT Mummies, as well as our informed and caring treatments. Whether that's donor sperm insemination, Reciprocal IVF, surrogacy or egg or sperm freezing, our expert team understands the unique challenges and joys that starting a family as an LGBT+ person can bring.
Maybe you're ready to start your family, or you may want an idea of your current fertility status and what steps you can take to preserve your fertility as a transgender person. This LGBT+ parenting blog will explore what treatments and services you may consider as an LGBT+ person.
Reciprocal IVF
Reciprocal IVF, also known as reciprocal IVF, is a popular method of assisted fertility for same-sex female couples or those who are transgender but have not yet medically transitioned. Both partners get to share in the joy of creating a family.
Used around the world in partnerships where both parents would like to play a role in the initial conception of their child, as well as gestation and birth, Reciprocal IVF is a popular choice to start or grow a family, where one partner will act as an egg donor to the other. As a variation of traditional IVF treatment, Reciprocal IVF uses the same procedures as standard IVF. The key difference is that the egg from one person is used to make the embryo for the treatment, then implanted into the uterus of their partner so that they can carry their child to term.
Reciprocal IVF is an excellent option for those who want to share the experience of assisted fertility with their partner. It also allows both the partner acting as the egg donor to feel connected genetically to their child, while their partner can form a bond throughout the pregnancy.
Donor Sperm Insemination or IUI
If you are a same-sex female couple, you might want to consider IUI using donor sperm. IUI – otherwise known as Intrauterine Insemination – is a type of fertility treatment that encourages pregnancy. It involves placing donor sperm into your uterus around the same time you naturally ovulate. You can take a pregnancy test two weeks later.
IUI with donor sperm is a convenient alternative for many same-sex female couples. A typical cycle can take as little as just four weeks and often doesn't require patients to take fertility medication.
At Manchester Fertility, we do not have a waiting list for treatment with donor sperm. We can offer you immediate access to traceable and health-screened UK sperm donors from our own sperm donor bank. You can start treatment immediately, supported by our caring and experienced team, from choosing your sperm donor to a pregnancy test.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy is becoming an increasingly accessible fertility treatment for those who otherwise could not carry a pregnancy. This includes, but is not limited to, same-sex male couples and many queer or transgender people.
This year we have a new partnership with TwoDadsUK®, a specialist independent surrogacy support organisation. We now offer an enhanced treatment plan, with access to improved resources and advice from those with lived experience of the surrogacy process.
We offer gestational and traditional surrogacy at Manchester Fertility. Depending on your circumstance, you may choose either for your treatment plan. We can tailor your treatment plan depending on if you have embryos already in storage, you require donor eggs for treatment and account for additional treatment to create embryos for your surrogate to carry. Learn more about our surrogacy offering on the treatment page.
Egg & Sperm Freezing
Egg and sperm freezing are both a form of fertility preservation. It involves collecting a person's eggs or sperm, freezing them, and then thawing them later to be used in fertility treatment.
Many AFAB (assigned female at birth) people may want to consider egg freezing if they intend to transition. Similarly, AMAB (assigned male at birth) people may want to consider sperm freezing.
Although starting a family may not be a priority at that moment, egg freezing can be a wonderful way to ensure you can still start a family when you are ready to, after you have transitioned. It can provide a sense of comfort for some that the option is available to you.
We offer a range of egg and sperm-freezing packages at Manchester Fertility. If you'd like more information on our offering or how much your treatment could cost, you can find more information on our egg-freezing treatment page and our sperm-freezing treatment page.
If you are considering starting a family or preserving your fertility for the future, you can speak with a member of our team today at 0161 300 2730 or book a free 1-2-1 discovery appointment via our website. Manchester Fertility is a great place to start a conversation about your treatment as one of the most progressive clinics in the UK, with a large LGBT+ patient base.
Last updated: 12th June 2023
