Skip to content
Dr Tom BamfordSep 243 min read

Fertility options for LGBTQIA+ people: Your path to parenthood

LGBTQIA+ fertility options | Care Fertility
4:08

At Care Fertility, we believe that family is for everyone—regardless of your relationship status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Whether you’re a gay couple exploring surrogacy, a lesbian couple considering shared motherhood, or a trans or non-binary person thinking about the future, we’re here to help you build a family in a way that feels right for you.

Thanks to breakthroughs in fertility treatments and a more inclusive understanding of family, the options available to LGBTQIA+ people today are broader—and more empowering—than ever before.

So, whether you’re ready to start trying, planning ahead, or just curious, here’s what’s possible.


For gay couples and single men

If you’re a gay man, in a couple, or exploring parenthood as a single dad, there are two main routes to consider:

Sperm freezing and fertility preservation

If you’re not quite ready yet, sperm freezing is a great way to plan ahead. It allows you to store healthy sperm now to use later in IVF.

IVF and surrogacy

For many gay couples, surrogacy is the chosen path to parenthood. One partner’s sperm is used with donor eggs, and the embryo is transferred to a surrogate’s uterus. You can use eggs from a known donor or from our frozen donor egg bank, which gives you instant access to a wide range of carefully screened donors.

We use vitrification to freeze donor eggs—an advanced flash-freezing technique that preserves egg quality with a 97% survival rate during thawing. With frozen eggs, you also avoid the unpredictability sometimes linked to fresh egg cycles.

Explore surrogacy support


For lesbian couples and single women

Whether you’re exploring fertility treatment as a lesbian couple or starting a family as a solo parent, there are several options to consider:

Egg freezing

Egg freezing allows you to plan ahead. You can freeze your eggs now and use them later—either with a partner or with donor sperm. This is a great option if you're not ready to start a family just yet.

IVF or IUI with donor sperm

Many lesbian couples choose IVF or IUI using donor sperm. You can use a donor you know, or select one from our sperm donation programme. Our team will guide you through the process with clarity and care.

Shared motherhood (reciprocal IVF)

Shared motherhood allows both partners to take part in the pregnancy—one partner provides the eggs, and the other carries the baby. It’s a powerful way for lesbian couples to experience the journey together.

Learn more about shared motherhood


For trans and non-binary people

We know that the transition journey is deeply personal—and thinking about fertility can feel overwhelming. But it’s worth considering your options before starting hormone therapy or surgery, as these can affect your ability to have biological children.

Preserve your fertility before transitioning

Whether you produce sperm or eggs, freezing your reproductive cells gives you choices later on. You can explore:

When you’re ready, options like IVF, ICSI, surrogacy, or donor sperm/eggs are all available.

Explore fertility support for trans people


Why support matters

Going through fertility treatment can feel like a lot—emotionally and practically. Whether you’re a gay couple navigating legal steps in surrogacy, a lesbian couple considering reciprocal IVF, or a non-binary person thinking about fertility preservation, having the right support makes all the difference.

We’ll be by your side with:

We’re here to make sure you feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.


Ready to talk?

If you’re thinking about starting a family, planning for the future, or just want to understand your options better, we’re here for you.

Book a consultation with our team today, or get in touch with any questions.

At Care Fertility, we believe that making family possible starts with inclusive, expert care—for everyone.

 

 

avatar
Dr Tom Bamford
Dr Tom Bamford became Medical Director of Care Fertility Manchester in July 2023. He is committed to consistently driving up quality through research, training and development.

RELATED ARTICLES