No two fertility journeys look exactly alike. Factors like age, medical history, relationship status, and family-building goals all play a role in determining the right path forward—but with so many options available, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.

In this episode, Dr. Janet Choi and Lissa Kline put real-life fertility scenarios on the table, exploring the stories of individuals and couples at different stages of their family-building journeys. From trying to conceive and egg freezing to IUI, IVF, genetic testing, fertility preservation, and more, they discuss how fertility specialists think through each situation and the treatment paths that may be recommended. Let’s get into it!

Hosts:
Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer, Progyny
Lissa Kline, LCSW, SVP, Provider and Member Services

Resources:

• Progyny: How to Best Time Intercourse When Trying to Conceive (TTC) 
• Progyny: What is IUI? 
• Progyny: What is IVF? 
• Progyny: IVF and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection 
• Progyny: LGBTQ+ Family Building Options 
• Progyny: Egg Freezing 101 
• Progyny: Fertility Preservation After a Cancer Diagnosis 

The DocTalk series, where we discuss current events on the full spectrum of women’s health and family building and what they might mean for you. From news, research studies, pop culture, and everything in-between, we’re going to break it all down and sift through the noise with the help of our expert Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Janet Choi and host, Lissa Kline, LCSW. This show does not constitute medical advice.

The post Finding the right fertility treatment appeared first on Progyny.

While every path is unique, family building within the LGBTQ+ community involves distinct considerations as individuals and couples navigate their options.

To help us better understand the family building options available, we’re joined by Dr. Quetrell Heyward from Spring Fertility here in New York. From family building options to navigating costs, benefits, and access to care, he shares practical insights to help you make informed decisions about your future. Let’s get into it!

Hosts:
Dr. Janet Choi, Chief Medical Officer, Progyny
Lissa Kline, LCSW, SVP, Provider and Member Services

Guest:
Dr. Quetrell Heyward, Fertility Specialist at Spring Fertility 

Resources:

• Progyny: LGBTQ+ Family Building Options
• Progyny: What family building resources are available for the LGBTQ+ community? 

The DocTalk series, where we discuss current events on the full spectrum of women’s health and family building and what they might mean for you. From news, research studies, pop culture, and everything in-between, we’re going to break it all down and sift through the noise with the help of our expert Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Janet Choi and host, Lissa Kline, LCSW. This show does not constitute medical advice.

The post LGBTQ+ family building options appeared first on Progyny.

Progyny’s inclusive fertility benefit supports all paths to parenthood. If you need assistance becoming pregnant with a donor egg, donor sperm, or a surrogate, you have options.

Let’s walk through those options at a high level. Then, you can speak with your reproductive endocrinologist and Progyny Care Advocate (PCA) to learn more about the fertility journey that may be right for you.

Using donor eggs or sperm to have a biological child

If you’re hoping to have a biological child as a single person or same-sex couple, assisted reproductive technology can help you.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

With IVF, sperm fertilizes an egg to create an embryo in a lab. Then, the embryo is transferred to the uterus of the person carrying the pregnancy.

An embryo may be created by combining:

• Sperm with a donor egg
• An egg with donor sperm

If you are using your own eggs, the embryo may be transferred with fresh IVF, the process of transferring the embryo to your uterus 3 to 5 days after retrieving the eggs.

Another option for all people is frozen embryo transfer. With this, embryos are frozen and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can assess the genetic health of the embryos to select the best embryo for transfer. PGT leads to better chances of a successful pregnancy.

Using a surrogate to carry the pregnancy

The embryo can be transferred to a surrogate (gestational carrier) if you will not be carrying the pregnancy.

Your PCA can provide you with surrogacy information on what to expect, average costs, state-specific laws, donor services, and legal services.

Reciprocal IVF (co-maternity IVF)

Reciprocal IVF is a way for both partners to participate in the family building process. One partner uses their eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy.

• Eggs are retrieved from one partner and fertilized with donor sperm.
• After the embryos develop, they are frozen and tested.
• A high-quality embryo is selected and transferred into the other partner.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

With IUI, sperm is placed directly in the uterus using a thin tube. IUI is timed with your menstrual cycle, at the time when the ovary releases an egg. Sometimes, medicine is used to help the body produce eggs.

Preserving your fertility

Egg, sperm, and embryo freezing can be used for anyone who wants to preserve their fertility, including before gender-affirming treatment.

With frozen eggs, sperm, or embryos you can pursue the fertility treatment plan that’s right for you in the future — including IVF, IUI, and/or surrogacy.

Adopting a child

Your PCA can provide personalized support throughout the adoption process. These adoption specialists and licensed social workers can give expert guidance, including:

• Details on the process and average cost of adoption.
• Explanations of various processes and pathways.
• Resources to find legal advice for state-specific laws that impact your options.
• Specific counseling for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples.

Thinking it through

Your reproductive endocrinologist is there to walk you through all of this in detail. You can ask anything that’s on your mind. Your PCA is also here to talk about your options and help you get ready for your visits with your healthcare team.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

The post LGBTQ+ family building options appeared first on Progyny.

An egg bank is a specialized facility where human eggs are frozen and stored for future use. People who need donor eggs can purchase frozen eggs to create embryos using in vitro fertilization (IVF).   

Donor eggs: an overview 

Eggs are donated by healthy, fertile donors who have been carefully screened following FDA and state regulations. Eggs from older people have a lower chance of successful pregnancy, so most egg donors are in their 20’s. 

Eggs are preserved using a rapid freezing technique and stored in cryogenic tanks filled with liquid nitrogen at -196°C. This ultra-cold environment keeps the eggs viable until they’re ready to be used.  

When eggs are needed for fertility treatments, they are carefully thawed and fertilized with sperm. The resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus of the person carrying the pregnancy — either the intended parent or a gestational carrier. 

Who uses egg banks? 

• People with infertility: People with low ovarian reserve or poor egg quality can use donor eggs to become pregnant. 

• People with age-related concerns: Egg health goes down with age, so using eggs from younger donors can increase the chance of success.   

• LGBTQ+ individuals and single parents by choice: Donor eggs allow LGBTQ+ people and couples, as well as single intended parents by choice, to pursue biological parenthood. 

How do egg banks work? 

Intended parents start their journey by selecting a donor from the egg bank’s database. You can review detailed donor profiles, which typically include: 

• Medical history 

• Genetic screening results 

• Physical characteristics 

• Educational background 

• Personal interests 

Intended parents may also be advised to go through medical evaluation and psychological counseling to explore emotional, ethical, and relationship considerations. Your fertility specialist can guide you through your decision. 

Steps for using a donor egg in IVF:  

1. The frozen eggs are carefully thawed, using special techniques to preserve their viability.  

2. The eggs are fertilized with sperm from the intended parent or a sperm donor.  

3. The resulting embryos are observed for several days to be sure they’re developing properly.  

4. The best quality embryo is transferred to the uterus of the person carrying the pregnancy, or frozen for future use. Freezing embryos allows for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), if desired.  

Your fertility clinic will coordinate with your chosen egg bank for counseling, logistics, medical procedures, and monitoring. 

Benefits of using frozen donor eggs 

Frozen eggs have several benefits:  

• Frozen eggs can be used right away, while fresh eggs require the donor to match their cycle and egg retrieval with the recipient’s treatment cycle.   

• Access to a broad and diverse pool of donors. 

• Freezing allows time to test the eggs, improving safety and success rates.  

• Frozen eggs can be shipped, so intended parents are not limited by availability where they live. 

Legal and ethical considerations 

Legal contracts are used to protect the rights and responsibilities of everyone involved in egg donation: the donor, intended parents, and the resulting child.  

Legal contracts ensure that:  

• Donors give up all parental rights 

• Donors grant the intended parent(s) full legal custody of the donated eggs and any resulting embryos and children 

They also outline the terms of donation, such as donor compensation, details and timing of medical procedures, and confidentiality. 

Ethical considerations   

In the past, many donations have been anonymous, but open donations in which donors and recipients can choose to share information are increasingly common. This allows for transparency and sharing genetic knowledge. 

It’s important to consider whether donor-conceived children will be able to access information about their genetics. Think about how it might affect the child’s sense of identity, emotions, and relationships with both their biological and social parents.  

Counseling can help you think through these questions. 

Getting started with an egg bank  

Egg banks offer a meaningful path to parenthood. Ask your fertility clinic and egg bank any questions you have.  

Your Progyny Care Advocate can also provide support by helping you: 

• Find a fertility specialist 

• Connect with counseling and support resources 

• Navigate the process with confidence 

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance and a lawyer for legal guidance.   

The post Using egg banks for pregnancy appeared first on Progyny.

Choosing a sperm donor is a deeply personal decision. With so many factors to consider, it can feel overwhelming, but the right information can help you make a choice that fits your family-building goals.

Key factors to consider

Genetic health

If you’ve had genetic testing and are a carrier for a specific mutation, select a donor who has tested negative for that same condition. This helps reduce the risk of passing genetic diseases to your child.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) status

CMV is a common virus. If you’ve never been exposed, choose a donor who is also CMV negative to lower the risk of complications during pregnancy.

Blood type and Rhesus factor (Rh)

Blood type may be relevant, especially if you or your partner are Rh negative. Rh is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. Matching Rh factor can help prevent immune-related complications in pregnancy.  

Family planning needs 

Sperm banks limit how many vials can be sold per donor. Consider purchasing multiple vials if you anticipate multiple pregnancy attempts or if you want to use the same donor for future siblings. 

Learning about the donor

Many sperm banks offer membership options that give access to:

• Photos of the donor as a child and/or adult
• Audio interviews to learn about the donor’s personality, values, and life experiences
• Medical and family history for several generations

These resources can help you feel confident in your choice by providing a fuller picture of who the donor is. 

Support for your decision

While choosing a donor can feel daunting, your care team and the information provided by sperm banks can guide you. Many banks also offer matching services to help you find a donor who aligns with your preferences and goals.

If you have questions, Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

The post Finding the right sperm donor for you  appeared first on Progyny.

Below, explore the tools, data, and educational resources available to both employees and benefits leaders who want to make inclusive family building support a reality.

Why inclusive family building benefits matter

Creating an inclusive benefits program isn’t just good for equity—it’s a strategic advantage for recruitment and retention.

Key insights:

• LGBTQ+ employees value fertility coverage. In a recent survey, 79% said they would consider leaving their current job for one that offers these benefits, and 81% said they’d work a second job just to access fertility coverage.
• Coverage disparities persist. Two-thirds of respondents said their employer’s plan required a medical infertility diagnosis before coverage—a criterion that often excludes LGBTQ+ individuals and single parents by choice, essentially blocking them from accessing necessary benefits.
• Inclusive benefits drive engagement and loyalty. Employers who proactively remove these barriers are better positioned to attract and retain top talent.

How Progyny supports inclusive family building

For nearly a decade, Progyny has partnered with employers and benefits leaders to design cycle-based, inclusive benefits that support all paths to parenthood—including surrogacy, reciprocal IVF, fertility preservation, and adoption.

Our Smart Cycle benefit design allows patients and providers to make informed decisions based on individual needs. This approach leads to:

• More equitable coverage
• Better clinical outcomes
• Stronger overall employee satisfaction

Progyny also works with a network of fertility clinics and doctors experienced in providing LGBTQ+ affirming care, to help ensure that every family building journey receives specialized, compassionate support.

Educational resources for benefits leaders

Progyny helps benefit leaders understand the impact employers and inclusive plan design can have on the family building journeys of LGTBQ+ employees:

• The Progyny podcast, “This Is Infertility,” uses narrative storytelling to offer a new perspective. Episode 8 features Lindsey and Chrissy Callahan, a couple whose employer-sponsored Progyny benefit made their dream of having a child possible.
• Amanda Lesesne, Progyny’s VP of sales and infertility advocate, explains how plan designs can unintentionally exclude LGBTQ+ and single parents.
• Open Finance Forum NYC on-demand sessions discuss the future of family-building for the LGBTQ+ community, covering the political landscape, employee experience, and inclusive benefit strategies.

Key research on LGBTQ+ family building needs

Progyny’s LGBTQ+ Fertility and Family Building Survey shows significant gaps in access for LGBTQ+ families and highlights the importance of inclusive benefit access:

• 68% of respondents with a fertility benefit are still “locked out” of access because a diagnosis of infertility is required (this diagnosis often requires heterosexual intercourse).
• Over half of respondents are actively trying to grow their families.
• 61% rely on personal savings to fund their journeys, 33% borrow from friends or family, 27% take out loans, and 11% are applying for grants.
• 62% see fertility coverage at work as a priority, 79% would consider switching jobs for access to fertility benefits, and 81% said they would take on a second job to get fertility coverage.

Building a more inclusive future together

Progyny doesn’t just talk about inclusion, we design it into every part of our benefit model. Our comprehensive, cycle-based plans and affirming provider network empower employers to offer true equity in family-building support.

The post What family building resources are available for the LGBTQ+ community? appeared first on Progyny.

Advances in reproductive medicine have made it easier than ever for people to build their families. One option for partners who both have eggs and a uterus is reciprocal in vitro fertilization (IVF). This process is also called co-IVF, co-maternity, or reception of oocytes from partner.

With reciprocal IVF, one partner provides the eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy. Many partners choose this option because it allows both people to have a physical role in bringing their child into the world. The partner providing the eggs contributes genetic material, while the partner who has the embryo transfer carries the pregnancy and delivers the baby.

How reciprocal IVF works

Like other fertility treatments for partners with ovaries and a uterus, one of the first steps is choosing a sperm donor. Once you’ve chosen a donor, you can begin the treatment cycle.

There are two main approaches: frozen embryo transfer or fresh embryo transfer. For clarity, this article uses “Partner A” and “Partner B.”

Frozen embryo transfer

1. Partner A takes injectable fertility medications for about 10 to 14 days to grow multiple eggs. When the eggs are ready, they are retrieved in a minor outpatient procedure.
2. The retrieved eggs are fertilized in the lab with donor sperm. The embryos grow for five to seven days until they reach a stage of development that has a higher chance of resulting in pregnancy.
3. If you choose preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), a small sample is taken from each embryo at this stage, and then the embryo is frozen. PGT-A checks for extra or missing chromosomes.
4. Partner B prepares for the transfer, sometimes with medication to make the uterine lining ready for implantation.
5. Once the genetic testing results are available, a chromosomally normal embryo is thawed and transferred into Partner B’s uterus.
6. About 10 days after the transfer, a blood test checks for pregnancy. If positive, there are usually follow-up human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) blood tests and an ultrasound. hCG is a hormone that signals pregnancy and is produced by the cells that form the placenta.

Fresh embryo transfer

1. Both partners synchronize their menstrual cycles by taking birth control pills.
2. Partner A takes injectable medications to stimulate multiple eggs to mature.
3. Partner B may also take medications to help prepare for transfer.
4. After about 2 weeks on medication, eggs are retrieved from Partner A and fertilized with donor sperm in the lab.
5. After about 5 days, an embryo is transferred into Partner B’s uterus.
6. Partner B returns to the clinic about 10 days after the transfer for the pregnancy test.

Considerations with reciprocal IVF

Talk with your reproductive endocrinologist (REI) to make sure you understand the process and its success rates.

Depending on your state, your clinic may recommend that you speak with a family law attorney. They may suggest a second-parent adoption for the partner not carrying the pregnancy.

Some partners choose to switch egg donor and carrier roles in a second pregnancy so that each person experiences both pregnancy and a genetic connection. Only you and your partner know what your priorities are in building your family. It’s helpful to understand your options and make an informed decision with your REI.

If you have questions or concerns, Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

The post Reciprocal IVF: How It Works appeared first on Progyny.

This webinar featured:

• Dr. Daniel Kaser, Reproductive Endocrinologist at RMA of NorCal
• Stephanie Kalili, Progyny member
• Jenna Willyard, Progyny Care Advocate at Progyny
• Thomas Lynch, Manager of Member Services at Progyny

Finding Your Path to Parenthood

When exploring different paths to parenthood as either an individual or a couple, there are many options to consider. An important place to start is identifying the clinic and doctor that is right for you. As part of the LGBTQ+ community, it is important to find a doctor and clinic that offer LGBTQ+ affirming care and take the time to find a care team that aligns with your family building goals. If you are a Progyny member you can use our provider search tool to help find a clinic. All Progyny in-network providers are vetted to be LGBTQ+ friendly and PCAs can help members find a provider that’s right for you and your family building goals.

Once you find the clinic and doctor that work best for you, the next step is scheduling your initial consultation where you and your doctor will discuss your medical history, go through any testing that is required, and discuss potential paths to parenthood. If you are an individual or in a same-sex couple that wants to have genetically related children, your path will include either donor sperm or donor eggs. Paths to parenthood involving donor tissue include:

Donor sperm options:

• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Also called artificial insemination. A process where, either with or without medication, and after monitoring, sperm is inserted directly into the uterus using a catheter. IUI may be an effective treatment option for single women or same-sex female couples who have purchased donor sperm. This path is a less expensive option, however, has a lower success rate compared to other treatment paths such as IVF, and limits the involvement of both same-sex female partners. 
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF is a more involved procedure and starts by stimulating the egg follicles of an individual with ovaries, followed by an egg retrieval. Those eggs will then be fertilized with the donor sperm and transferred to the uterus. This process allows for two options – transferring the embryo to the original individual’s uterus who had their eggs retrieved, or the embryo can be transferred to the other partner to carry, a process known as reciprocal IVF. IVF has a higher success rate and allows the option for both partners to be involved in the process, however it is a more involved and expensive path.

Donor egg options:

• Gestational Carrier: This is a great option for either an individual with sperm or a same-sex male couple. While the surrogacy journey is an extremely detailed process, it all begins with donor eggs and sperm to create embryos. Once the embryo is created with the intended parent’s sperm, the process of finding the right gestational carrier comes next. The couple or individual will work with a known gestational carrier, or work through a surrogacy agency to help match them with their surrogate. Once the surrogate is chosen, they will undergo an embryo transfer. If successful, the surrogate and intended parents will create a plan for the pregnancy and beyond. 

There are so many different options for individuals or couples in the LGBTQ+ community who are looking to grow their family. While the options listed above all include donor tissue options, there is another option to build the family – adoption. Similarly to surrogacy, this journey requires many steps along the way. Learn more here about what to expect throughout the process and key considerations.  

Some individuals and couples already know the path they want to explore to build their family, but it can still help to have a conversation with your doctor to understand all your options. There is a lot to consider before deciding what might be right for you, whether that is through a financial aspect, how many medications or procedures someone is willing to go through, and if a couple wants both partners to be a part of the process. With all these decisions, the journey may take a little longer, so it is important to have patience and acknowledge the path may not be completely linear. 

Choices to Make Along the Way

Building a family involves making many decisions along the way. After choosing the path that is right for you and identifying your clinic and provider, other decisions as related to your specific journey may include choosing donor sperm or eggs, identifying an adoption agency, or matching with a surrogate.  

Selecting Donor Tissue

An important early decision for relevant paths to parenthood is identifying which intended parent’s sperm or eggs will be used. Often this is decided before meeting with a provider and makes moving forward to the next step quicker. However, your provider can also talk you through your options and help you decide how to proceed. If using an unknown donor, you will have to identify an egg or sperm bank. Your clinic will be able to refer you to some different sperm or egg banks for you to purchase tissue and Progyny members can also explore our in-network banks.  

To help you select which sperm or eggs to purchase, the bank will have different resources available from each donor such as voice recordings, baby pictures, individual and family medical history, genetic information, and other descriptive information. Selecting donor tissue is a personal decision and everyone has their own priorities for what they are looking for but some questions you may ask yourself are:  

• Do you want someone with a similar genetic background?
• Do you want someone who is anonymous, open, or has their identification fully disclosed? 
• What characteristics matter to you? Ethnicity? Height? Eye color? Education level? 

Once the donor tissue is selected, if you are the person with ovaries planning to carry the child you will proceed with treatment, otherwise others may proceed with the surrogacy journey.  

Explore this quick video to learn more about what to look for in an egg or sperm donor.

The Surrogacy Process 

If you go through the surrogacy process, there will be more important decisions to make. After picking out the donor tissue and creating an embryo, you will need to also choose which surrogacy agency and gestational carrier will work alongside you during the journey. Your fertility clinic may have referrals for surrogacy agencies and all Progyny members can reach out to their PCA for vetted referrals.  Surrogacy agencies provide different levels of services which can include gestational matching and screening, case management, support, counseling, legal services, and more. During the process both the gestational carrier and parent(s) will need to undergo psychological evaluations and obtain separate legal counsel to create a surrogacy agreement. When thinking about your timelines it’s important to factor in that surrogacy can be a lengthy process and there are many factors that can impact the journey.    

To learn more about the surrogacy process, check out this resource: Understanding the Surrogacy Process | Progyny

The Adoption Process

Adoption can also be a lengthy process with many decision points along the way. All Progyny members have access to adoption coaches that can provide insight into the process, legal considerations, average costs, the various pathways, and agency referrals. Some of the key decisions to make along the way include deciding between an international or domestic adoption, selecting an agency and lawyer, and matching with a family. Having a list of questions is a great place to start to understand your priorities and to help you vet through the process.  

Although each process can feel overwhelming at times, these decisions help you take a step closer to building your family, and Progyny is always here to support you along the way. 

To learn more about the adoption process, listen to an episode from our podcast, This Is Infertility: Episode 120: Maybe a Baby? The Adoption Journey | Progyny 

Support Throughout Your Journey

The family building journey often comes with many unknowns and it is important to have a village that will support. 

If you are a Progyny member, your PCA is a great resource to provide support during this time. They are trained to support all paths to parenthood and can provide clinical guidance and also emotional support. In addition to your PCA, if you are going through an adoption or surrogacy journey or just have questions about the process, you will have access to Progyny’s adoption and surrogacy coaches (who are available to all Progyny members). 

In addition to your Progyny and clinical team, many find social media to be a great resource to find community. Social media allows you to connect with others who are going on similar journeys and can help you feel less alone in the process. In addition to exploring others’ stories through hashtags, there are Facebook groups that can help connect you with people who are on the same path to parenthood. While social media is a great opportunity to meet people, it is important to not compare your journey to others as they are all unique.  

Looking for additional resources and support throughout your journey? Check out these resources: 

• LGBTQ+ Family Building Options | RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association 
• LGBTQIA | ReproductiveFacts.org 
• Your LGBTQ+ Family-Building Resource | Gay Parents To Be 

Q&A

1. I am trans and considering going through gender affirming therapy. What options do I have if in the future I want to build my family?
   
   Before going through any gender-affirming therapies, talk to a reproductive endocrinologist (REI) at an LGBTQ+ affirming clinic to understand your options for the future, which may be freezing eggs, sperm, or even embryos. It’s important to understand that the hormones that are used during gender-affirming therapy stay in your system for a few months so if you decide in the middle of these treatments that you wanted to preserve your fertility, you will have to wait months before doing so.  

2. How can I find the right doctor and clinic for me? 
   
   If you are a Progyny member, your PCA can help identify LGBTQ+ affirming clinics and you can also use the provider search tool to explore all the in-network clinics that are nearby. Once you have narrowed your options down to a few clinics, it is a great choice to do a deeper dive into the clinics and also their specific doctors to ensure their approach aligns with your goals and if you can connect with them. During your decision-making process, you do not have to stick with the first doctor you see. If you don’t feel like they are the right fit it is completely normal to look to other clinics who may work better for you. Each person is looking for something that works specifically for them, so it is okay to take time with this decision.
   
   If you have any other questions related to this webinar, please don’t hesitate to reach out to education@progyny.com. If you are a Progyny member and have any questions about your benefit or coverage, please call 888.597.5065.   

LGBTQ+ Family Building Resources

• LGBTQ+ Family Building Infographic (progyny.com)
• LGBTQ+ Family Building Education Page (progyny.com)
• Progyny Webinar: Understanding the Adoption Process | Progyny
• Progyny Webinar: LGBTQ+ Family Building: Surrogacy 101 | Progyny 
• Episode 184: Building Your Family; The Complete Guide to Donor Conception | Progyny 

Interested in sharing your story to help raise awareness? Share your Progyny experience here.

The post Celebrating Pride: LGBTQ+ Family Building appeared first on Progyny.

We recently surveyed 1,000 LGBTQ+ individuals to help employers better understand their dreams of expanding their families, the barriers that continue to get in their way, and how much access to support they have.

We found that despite a rise in employer-sponsored coverage options, coverage for LGBTQ+ families is far from equitable.  

Here, we examine the state of LGBTQ+ family building, explore the modern options for growing LGBTQ+ families, and provide resources to help ignite a conversation about more equitable access to family building benefits.

LGBTQ+ Fertility and Family Building Survey shows significant gaps in access

Here are a few key findings from our recent LGBTQ+ Fertility and Family Benefits Survey:

• 68% of survey respondents with a fertility benefit are “locked out” of access because a diagnosis of infertility is usually needed to access the coverage (and this diagnosis often requires heterosexual intercourse).
• LGBTQ+ families are looking to grow as more than half of respondents indicated they’re actively trying to expand their families.

• Growing families are worried about the cost of expanding. Many are relying on outside sources for funding. These include personal savings (61%), taking out loans (27%), borrowing from friends and family (33%), and applying for grants (11%).
• 62% of respondents see fertility coverage at work as a priority. For respondents that are looking to expand their families, 79% would consider leaving their current job for one that offers these benefits. Furthermore, 81% said they would even take on a second job to get fertility coverage!

You can dig into the survey results in full here.

The findings highlight a real disparity between how LGBTQ+ individuals and their heterosexual counterparts can access the same coverage. But they also signal to employers that equitable coverage is desired and highlights an opportunity to recruit world-class talent with smart benefit plans that make an impact.

So, how do we start a dialogue about better care for our growing LGBTQ+ families? We help benefit leaders learn about the LGBTQ+ parenthood options their employees are exploring and the barriers they face. We mobilize our support resources. We bring awareness to the impact employers and plans can make and help them understand that can have a major effect on this community.

LGBTQ+ family building: common pathways

The right to family is universal and there are options for each path to parenthood. Your workforce is looking for support.

Reciprocal IVF

For a couple where both are female sex assigned at birth, reciprocal IVF allows both partners to play a key role in having a child.

In this process, partner A provides eggs. Those eggs are fertilized with donor sperm to develop embryos. Those embryos are frozen, then genetically tested. The highest quality embryo is then transferred into partner B. Partner B will then carry the pregnancy to term.

Common Coverage Barrier: Eligibility requires a medical necessity diagnosis due to infertility (same-sex couples need access to coverage regardless of fertility status).

Solution: Remove eligibility restrictions around fertility diagnoses.

View Progyny’s Reciprocal IVF infographic to see the process.

Check out Chrissy and Lindsey’s story on expanding their family with reciprocal IVF.

Surrogacy

Surrogacy is an excellent option for couples where both are male sex assigned by birth or single parents by choice. This option is when a third-party carries a child for the intended parent(s). The child is typically not genetically related to the gestational carrier.

Intended parent(s) create embryos with their sperm (or donor sperm) and their egg or a donor egg. Then the highest-quality embryo is transferred to a gestational carrier who carries the pregnancy.

Common Coverage Barrier: Coverage exclusion or not enough financial flexibility within the plan design.

Solution: Include resources and services that support surrogacy, such as a financial assistance program that offsets some of the costs.

Interested in a deep dive into the surrogacy member experience? Check out Progyny’s LGBTQ+ Family Building: Surrogacy 101, then dig into LGBTQ+ Family Building: Donor 101 to learn how egg and sperm donation relates to IVF and surrogacy. 

Adoption

Adoption is another meaningful path to parenthood that can help expand LGBTQ+ families. The process can be complex, but there are some factors you can explore to determine if adoption is right for you.

Common Coverage Barrier: Coverage exclusion or not enough financial flexibility within the plan design.

Solution: Include resources and services that support adoption, such as a financial assistance program that offsets some of the costs.

Check out Understanding the Adoption Process to understand this pathway to parenthood.

Fertility preservation

Tissue cryopreservation, such as egg or sperm freezing, is used in many fertility treatments and family building approaches. For transgender individuals, it can be especially beneficial to preserve fertility before gender-affirming treatments or therapies which may affect fertility, either temporarily or permanently. Therefore, cryopreservation before these therapies can help transgender people to preserve their own genetic material. This allows them to expand their family in the future if they wish, using their frozen sperm or eggs.  

Common Coverage Barrier: Coverage exclusion or medical necessity diagnosis due to infertility required.

Solution: Include in coverage and make sure there are no eligibility restrictions around requiring infertility diagnoses, including for dependents (adult children). 

Hear Dr. Mark Leondires, of Illume Fertility and Gay Parents to Be, talk about the importance of covering egg freezing as part of your strategy to support your LGBTQ+ workforce.

Educational resources to expand access to LGBTQ+ family building support 

What do we do with this information?  

Employees can get to work – at work 

One of the richest fields for change in the LGBTQ+ family building space is at the employer level. Benefits leaders and insurance companies have the power to influence fertility coverage in the workplace. This changes LGBTQ+ individuals’ access at its most basic levels.  

Resources for benefits leaders

If you work in the benefits space, you know that there’s a complex dance involved with expanding coverage. But in the war for talent, you also know how powerful a meaningful benefit can be.  

Contrary to widely held belief, adding fertility coverage for employees does not mean a significant increase in health care costs. A RESOLVE survey that included more than 450 employers revealed that 97% of employers who cover infertility did not incur a notable rise in costs, even when they cover IVF.  

Here are some key resources for exploring and advocating for better family building benefits at your organization:  

• Progyny 2023 LGBTQ+ Fertility and Family Building Survey Results
• Equitable Family Building checklist 
• RESOLVE employer toolkit  
• Dos and Don’ts Guide to Equitable Benefits 
• Fertility and Family Benefits Worksheet  

There is a clear need for better LGBTQ+ family building support. These resources can help make a compelling case for creating improved benefits.

Resources for the LGBTQ+ community and allies

LGBTQ+ individuals or couples who are considering family building have many options. There are numerous resources available to help them.

Progyny’s LGBTQ+ resource center is a great place to start. We have been working with LGBTQ+ families since 2018 (hear from some of our LGBTQ+ families). We have created articles, infographics, podcasts, and interviews with experts to help you explore the different family building options and fertility treatments. 

There are many voices advocating for LGBTQ+ family building care:

• Family Equality is a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of family building equality for the LGBTQ+ community. The organization offers helpful resources, support groups, and special events. The group is also active in advocacy, fighting for policy change that benefits LGBTQ+ family builders.  
• RESOLVE, The National Infertility Association provides advocacy, educational resources, support, and awareness-building efforts. The organization also undertakes specific legislative initiatives and provides resources for LGBTQ+ families.  
• XHood is focused on creating a community where Black queer people can feel supported and empower in their family building journey. The organization provides a variety of services. They host safe forums and support groups, facilitate financial assistance, and curate a directory of affirming care providers. Additionally, they host a wide range of events.  
• Men Having Babies provides support for gay men who are pursuing family building through surrogacy. The group hosts conferences, webinars, workshops, and a grant program that has provided funding to hundreds of growing families.  

For LGBTQ+ family builders and allies who want to drive change from within – learn out to lend your voice here.  

Together, we can create a world with more equitable support – and where anyone who wants to pursue the dream of having a family can do so.  

Ready to discuss a better way to support your LGBTQ+ workforce? Contact Progyny. 

The post The State of LGBTQ+ Fertility and Family Building appeared first on Progyny.

Featuring:

• Bradford A. Kolb, MD, FACOG, Reproductive Endocrinologist at HRC Fertility and a member of Progyny’s Medical Advisory Board 
• Brandon Johnson, MHS LGSW, Owner of Infertility Isn’t Inferior 
• Dr. Georgia Witkin, Head of Member Services Development at Progyny, Assistant Professor of OB-GYN and Reproductive Sciences and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai

Treatment Options for Same-sex Couples and Single Fathers by Choice

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The post Journey to Fatherhood: Same-sex Couples and Single Fathers by Choice appeared first on Progyny.