Fertility Options for same sex couples
Fertility Treatment Options For Same Sex Couples
At Fertility North, we have proudly supported LGBTQ+ families trying to conceive for over 20 years. From our state-of-the-art clinic, we provide several pregnancy pathways and fertility treatment options suitable for same-sex couples ready to start a family.
What Fertility Options are suitable for Same Sex Couples?
If you and your partner want to understand your options for having a baby, below are some pregnancy pathways available to you. If you need more information, please reach out to our team who would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Artificial Insemination or Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
For same-sex couples with no diagnosed fertility issues, artificial insemination or intrauterine insemination (IUI) is usually the first-line fertility treatment option recommended by our fertility specialists. IUI is a straightforward and gentle procedure where a washed sample of donor sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. Compared to IVF, IUI is less costly, less invasive, and is generally very well tolerated. Only after a couple has undergone at least two failed IUI cycles can our fertility specialists recommend progressing to IVF.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
If IUI is unsuccessful, or if you and your partner have a genetic or medical condition that eliminates IUI as an option, our fertility specialists may suggest IVF. IVF has been in use for over 40 years and is the most well-known of all assisted reproductive technologies (ART) due to its high success rates, with a live birth rate of around 50% per embryo transfer for patients under 30 years of age. The process involves stimulating egg production through controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, then surgically retrieving the eggs and fertilising them with donor sperm in our lab. The resulting embryos are then grown until they are ready to be transferred to the uterus, hopefully resulting in a successful pregnancy. While this may sound complicated, it’s important to understand that our team guides you through each step with care and complete empathy.
Reciprocal IVF
Reciprocal IVF (also known as Partner-Assisted Reproduction, Egg Sharing, Partner IVF, or Co-IVF) enables each partner in a same-sex couple (where both have female reproductive organs) to be biologically involved in the conception of a child. One partner provides the oocytes (eggs), and the other partner acts as the gestational carrier and carries and births the baby. Reciprocal IVF also maintains the high success rates of conventional IVF. For more information, please reach out to our team!
Donor Sperm
Fertility North is home to one of the best and most comprehensive donor programs in Perth, with donor eggs, donor sperm and donor embryos from a large number of local and international donors. Our certified Donor Program is overseen by an experienced Donor Coordinator, and strictly abides by current state and federal legislation and incorporates the care and treatment for donors and recipients, and their partners as well as the interests of donor conceived children.
How to Access Donor Sperm
In Western Australia, to be eligible to access donated sperm, you need to be at least 18 years and 6 months old and younger than 52 years old. You’ll also need to complete a few steps to ensure you’re ready, emotionally and physically, for fertility treatment. This includes an initial counselling session with an accredited Fertility Counsellor, as well as some screening tests and medical questionnaires. You’ll then need to wait for a 3-month ‘cooling off’ period. Once the cooling off period is complete, you’ll be asked to attend a second counselling session at a time of your choosing. After this, you’ll be eligible to access donor sperm and start your fertility treatment.
Choosing your sperm donor
When you use donor sperm, you have the option to use sperm from a donor you know or an unknown donor from our sperm donor program. If you choose to use sperm from an unknown donor, you can decide how much information you want to know about your donor. When you reach the stage of choosing an unknown donor, you are given a selection of five de-identified profiles to choose from. These profiles are selected to match the type of treatment you are undergoing and any genetic considerations as well, as all our donors and recipients undergo genetic testing to avoid passing on genetic disorders. These profiles include personality, medical, and family history information. Once a profile is selected and the costs are discussed, a more detailed version of the de-identified profile is provided for viewing. This includes characteristics, age at donation, hobbies, education, and whether the donor has a family of their own.
Egg Freezing & Fertility Preservation
If you’re not ready to have a child right now but want the freedom to decide later, egg freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation) is a great way for you or your partner to preserve your fertility and extend your reproductive window. While it is still common for us to freeze eggs for patients in their mid-30s, ideally, it’s best to consider this option as early as possible when you have the healthiest ovarian reserve, usually between the ages of 25 and 30.
What are the costs involved?
At Fertility North, we’re committed to transparency in our pricing, which is why we publish our fee structure online without any hidden costs. We also work hard to keep out-of-pocket expenses low, making IVF more accessible for all families.
As these figures are subject to change, we recommend checking our website for the most up-to-date information on cycle fees and Medicare rebates.
Will Medicare cover any of my fertility treatment expenses?
While it won’t cover all costs, Medicare does provide rebates for several fertility treatments, including IVF, to help offset out-of-pocket costs. To qualify, you’ll just need a referral from your GP (or specialist). The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) will cover a portion of your specialist appointments and other related services, and the Medicare Safety Net offers additional rebates if your annual out-of-hospital medical expenses exceed the threshold. Please note, you are unable to claim an MBS rebate without a diagnosis of ‘medical infertility’. For more information, please reach out to our friendly Administration team.