Same-sex couples face unique challenges when it comes to starting a family, leading many to turn to fertility medicine for assistance. Advances in reproductive technology have significantly broadened the options available to same-sex couples who desire to have children.
For female same-sex couples, one of the most common methods is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), where sperm from a donor is inserted directly into the uterus. This procedure can be synchronised with the recipient’s natural cycle, or it can be coordinated with fertility drugs to increase the chances of conception. Another option is In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), where an egg is fertilised with donor sperm in a lab, and the resulting embryo is implanted into the uterus. IVF is particularly useful in cases where IUI has not been successful or when there are other fertility issues.
Some lesbian couples like to both be involved in a pregnancy. This can be achieved through egg sharing. In this option, one partner provides the eggs, which are fertilised with donor sperm, and the other carries the pregnancy.
Options available:
Male same-sex couples typically rely on a surrogate to carry their child. This is usually achieved through altruistic surrogacy. Commercial surrogacy is not permitted in Australia.
The surrogacy pathway typically involves IVF, where an egg is fertilised with one male partner’s sperm, and the embryo is then implanted in the surrogate’s uterus.
Dr Wang-Gilchrist is a Sydney Fertility Specialist, and Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who has significant experience diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide range of conditions related to women’s reproductive health.
Dr Wang-Gilchrist spent four years working as a laboratory and clinical researcher investigating novel infertility treatments and has published several peer-reviewed international papers in reproductive medicine. She holds three separate Master Degrees in the areas of embryology, infertility and reproductive care, and she is a Fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG).
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