Whether you identify as a male or as a female, parenthood is a joy every person has the right to experience.
Our fertility center is at the forefront of providing progressive reproductive technologies to the transgender community, offering comprehensive options to help you achieve your dream of building a family.
Whichever stage you are at in your journey, our team will help guide you through the course of consultation and treatment and be by your side every step of the way.
A history of inclusion
Boston IVF was the first fertility center in New England to assist a lesbian couple achieve pregnancy and the first fertility center in New England to provide IVF for a male couple.
Listen to Our Fertility Expert Discuss Transgender Reproductive Issues on Creating a Family's Radio Show
leaders in Egg Freezing
In 2006, Boston IVF assisted in the first birth to result from a cryopreserved egg, and since then our program has grown tremendously and become one of the most experienced in the nation. We now freeze over 5,000 eggs each year.
For patients who choose to use an anonymous sperm donor, our exclusive partnerships with Seattle Sperm Bank and California Cryobank offer quick, convenient access to high quality frozen donor sperm.
insurance guidance
We are now seeing tremendous advancements in the transgender community regarding insurance coverage for fertility. Some insurance companies will now cover egg freezing for female-to-male patients and sperm freezing for male-to-female patients.
advice for parents
Not only to do we provide treatment info for both trans women and trans men patients, but we also regularly offer advice to parents whose teenage children are considering a transition. We are here to help if you need us.
GET STARTED
We understand that scheduling an appointment with a specialist isn't always the very first thought you have when thinking about your fertility. Sometimes you just need advice.
That's where Rhonda - our Patient Liaison - can help. Rhonda has been with us since 1986 and is a phone call or email away if you need general advice or answers to specific questions.
Don't hesitate to contact Rhonda any time by phone at 888.300.2483 or via email by clicking here.
Planning ahead is just as important for transitioning trans men as for trans women.
hormone therapy 101
Testosterone creates significant changes in the human body, including the ceasing of egg production and menstrual cycles.
If you have already started a hormonal transition, temporary cessation of testosterone is necessary to allow re-development of eggs in the ovaries. The return of regular menstrual cycles typically indicates that the ovaries have returned to normal ovulatory function. Fertility may be restored if testosterone is ceased, but it is not guaranteed.
Trans men who still have a uterus can carry a child but will be required to be off testosterone, as it is harmful to the growth of a fetus.
FREEZING YOUR EGGS
Egg freezing is a crucial family building option for transgender men who would like to use their own eggs to have genetically related children in the future. Because female fertility, egg quantity and egg quality all diminishes with age, the younger you are when preserving your fertility via egg freezing, the better the chance of a successful pregnancy in the future. There is no limit to the length of time eggs can be frozen. Once frozen, eggs remain stable indefinitely with no decrease in quality over time.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
IF SINGLE
Prior to transitioning and initiation of testosterone therapy, there is the option to become pregnant through intrauterine insemination using donor sperm.
IF PARTNERED WITH A CISGENDER WOMAN
If partnered with a cisgender woman, your frozen eggs may be used to create embryos, which are transferred into your partner, who carries the pregnancy (Partner Assisted IVF/Reciprocal IVF). Donor sperm would be required in this scenario.
IF PARTNERED WITH A CISGENDER MAN
Your frozen eggs may be inseminated with your partner’s sperm, and the pregnancy would need to be carried by a gestational carrier.
IF PARTNERED WITH A TRANS WOMAN
If partnered with a transgender woman, your frozen eggs may potentially be inseminated with your partner’s sperm (if available) or with donor sperm to create embryos, which may be transferred into a gestational carrier, who will carry the pregnancy for you.
IF PARTNERED WITH ANOTHER TRANS MAN
If partnered with another transgender man, your frozen eggs may be inseminated with donor sperm to create embryos, which may be transferred into a gestational surrogate who would carry the pregnancy for you.
As with anyone who wishes to start a family, it's very important to plan ahead.
This is especially true for men transitioning to women, who would like the choice of having genetically-related children in the future.
treatment options
Prior to Hormonal Transition
SPERM BANKING
If you are thinking about building a family before undergoing sex-reassignment surgery and/or hormone therapy, sperm banking prior to your transition is a crucial step.
If you decide to freeze your sperm after beginning hormone therapy, a temporary pause in therapy is necessary to produce an optimal specimen.
IF YOU ARE PARTNERED WITH A CISGENDER WOMAN
The easiest option is traditional conception via sexual intercourse. If it is determined that you or your female partner has an infertility issue, health insurance may cover payment for treatment.
After Hormonal Transition
IF YOU ARE PARTNERED WITH A CISGENDER WOMAN
Conception is attempted using your frozen, banked sperm to inseminate your female partner through intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
