Lesbian
insemination is offered to committed couples by Anne
Borkowski, MD and Susan Davies, MD .Lesbian
insemination is accomplished using sperm from
a known, or anonymous, donor. A known donor is usually
a friend or family member. We have access to a large
selection of other donors through numerous sperm banking
services.
Donors
for lesbian insemination are selected based upon the
couple's choice of physical characteristics and other
factors. All sperm banks thoroughly screen donors
for genetic diseases and infections and semen is quarantined
for six months to guard against pathogens that may
have a latent period, such as HIV.
If
the female has normal fertility, intrauterine insemination
without ovulation inducing drugs can be effective.
Sometimes clomiphene citrate or follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH) is administered to stimulate the development
of eggs within the ovarian follicles. Older females,
or those with ovulatory dysfunction (irregular or
no menses), usually require stimulation with these
fertility medications. Once the follicles are mature,
an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin is administered
to induce ovulation in 36-38 hours. In this way the
insemination can be timed appropriately. The procedure
is performed in our office, takes about five minutes,
and is essentially painless.
Women
undergoing ovulation induction with follicle stimulating
hormone must come to our office periodically for monitoring.
We perform ultrasounds to assess the develop of the
follicles and measure the size of the ovaries. Estradiol
hormone measurements are taken to determine if the
eggs are developing normally within the follicles.
Estradiol levels also help predict a potentially serious
side effect of FSH, hyperstimulation syndrome.
If
a woman does not conceive after multiple IUI cycles,
in vitro fertilization is often considered. IVF may
be recommended as a "first line" treatment
if conditions such as tubal disease or endometriosis
are present. The IVF procedure
is the same for lesbian couples except that donor
sperm is utilized. Eggs are retrieved after stimulation
with FSH and combined with the donor's sperm. The
resultant embryos are incubated (cultured) until mature
and then transferred to the recipient female.
Sometimes
lesbian couples seek the care of a gynecologist for
inseminations, which can be effective. However, reproductive
endocrinologists are trained to closely monitor cycles
to prevent potentially serious side effects including
multiple births. Most of the high order multiple births
(>3) reported in the media are from IUI cycles
that were conducted by non-specialists.
Lesbian
insemination has helped numerous committed couples
achieve their dreams of creating families. All of
our patients receive the highest quality of care in
a warm and compassionate environment.
Lesbian.org
contains information for couples considering starting
a family.
