Fertility treatment for same sex couples

Growing your family is a deeply personal and exciting journey for you and your partner, and one on which we would be privileged to support you. At City Fertility, we’ve proudly supported thousands of same-sex couples on their path to parenthood – and we’re here to help you.

We offer a wide range of fertility treatment options, including

• Clinic-recruited donor sperm
• Donor insemination
• Reciprocal IVF (shared motherhood)

Our goal is to help you build your family in a way that feels right for you and help answer the many questions you may have.

Accessing Donor Sperm

We know that choosing donated sperm is a significant decision and if you are looking for donor sperm, then you have come to the right fertility clinic. City Fertility are proud to offer Australia’s largest range of donor sperm with availability right now.

If you’re pursuing donor insemination or same-sex IVF, one of the first decisions is how you’ll access donor sperm.  You can choose from two options:

• Clinic-recruited donor: This is someone who voluntarily donates their sperm to an unknown recipient, sourced through City Fertility’s trusted partner, Addam Donor Bank. All donors are extensively screened, and ready for treatment straight away with no waiting lists.
• Known donor: A known donor is someone with whom you have an existing relationship and who has agreed to donate their sperm.

You can learn more about finding your ideal clinic-recruited donor here: Addam Donor Bank page.

Treatment options for lesbian couples using donor sperm

Every couple’s path to parenthood is unique, which is why we tailor your treatment plan to your individual circumstances. Your City Fertility specialist will discuss your options and recommend the most suitable approach for your individual circumstances.

For same-sex female couples or individuals, the two most common treatments are donor insemination and IVF with donor sperm. The full list of treatment options using donor sperm include:

• Donor Insemination (DI).
• In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) with donor sperm.
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) with donor sperm.
• Donor sperm, egg and embryo program.

• Egg and embryo freezing and storage.

• Genetic Testing – Pre-Implantation Genetic

  Diagnosis (PGD).

• Investigation and treatment of recurrent

  miscarriage.

Donor Insemination

Donor insemination (DI) is a simple and effective fertility treatment for same-sex female couples looking to conceive. It involves placing donor sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation to increase the chances of fertilisation. It is often recommended when the partner carrying the pregnancy has no known fertility concerns and is looking for a less invasive alternative to IVF.

Reciprocal IVF for Lesbian Couples

Reciprocal IVF, also known as partner IVF, is a popular and empowering fertility treatment option for same-sex female couples. This treatment enables both partners to be physically involved in the process with one partner providing the eggs while the other carries the pregnancy.

This approach creates a biological link for both partners and can strengthen the shared emotional connection through the experience of building a family together. Some couples choose to switch roles for a second child using the same donor.

Before starting Reciprocal IVF, it’s important for both partners to openly discuss and decide who will contribute the eggs and who will carry the pregnancy. This shared decision can be both emotional and practical, so it’s worth considering the pros and cons of each role and aligning expectations from the outset.

Reciprocal IVF: The Process

Reciprocal IVF follows a similar process to standard IVF, with the key difference being that both partners are actively involved with one providing the eggs, the other carrying the pregnancy.

The key differences between IVF and the Reciprocal IVF process are:

1. Both partners are physically involved

In standard IVF, typically one partner provides the eggs and carries the pregnancy. In Reciprocal IVF, both partners are actively involved as one provides the eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy. This shared experience is unique to Reciprocal IVF.

2. Donor sperm is required

Unlike standard IVF cases (e.g., for heterosexual couples), reciprocal IVF always requires donor sperm. Same sex female couples need to select a sperm donor who can be either a known donor or a clinic-recruited (unknown) donor. For those undertaking reciprocal IVF, choosing the right donor is an early and essential part of the process. Once the donor is selected and all medical assessments, screening, counselling, and consent forms are completed, treatment can begin.

3. Dual Medical Preparation and Cycle Synchronisation

In standard IVF, one person undergoes fertility treatment whereas in reciprocal IVF both partners are involved in the clinical process. The partner providing the eggs takes hormone medication to stimulate the ovaries for egg retrieval, while the partner carrying the pregnancy takes medication to prepare the uterus for embryo transfer. Some couples may also synchronise their menstrual cycles to allow for a fresh embryo transfer, adding an extra layer of coordination that supports both medical and emotional connection.

You can learn more about IVF here: IVF Process & Treatment Options | City Fertility