Fertility Services for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals

If you are transgender or gender non-conforming and hope to build a family, we want to help you turn that hope into a reality. Our caring reproductive endocrinology/fertility specialists offer LGBTQ+ family building and pregnancy services in a safe, welcoming environment for transgender singles and couples.

Reproductive Endocrinology & Fertility Services Available

You have a lot of options when it comes to building a family, whether you are seeking services for yourself or your partner. We’re here to help you find the best one for you. Services available include:

To make an appointment, call 1-888-824-0200 and ask for the Trans CARE clinic, or email us at TransgenderCARE@bsd.uchicago.edu.

Preserving Fertility Before Gender-affirming Treatment

You may not be thinking about having a baby now, but if there is a chance you might want to become a parent in the future, we can help you plan ahead. Before gender-affirming treatment, some patients choose to freeze their eggs, sperm or embryos to preserve their fertility down the road.

If you are thinking about moving forward with gender-affirming treatments like hormones or surgery, we can discuss options to preserve your fertility if you are interested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build a family if I’m trans or non-binary?

I want to “freeze my eggs” before I have the uterus/ovaries removed or start testosterone. How do I do this (and do I need to stop my “T”)?

Freezing eggs is a process that typically takes two to three weeks. Your eggs are protected in structures that are called follicles. At any given time, you may have a handful of more mature follicles that are almost ready to release an egg (ovulation). By taking certain injectable medications, you can mature some of your follicles over the course of 10 to 12 days.

When your follicles are ready, you can have a procedure under anesthesia to remove the mature eggs from their follicles. These eggs can be frozen or fertilized with the sperm of your choice to create embryos that can be used for pregnancy or frozen for future use. This process is associated with increased estrogen levels. Additionally, pelvic or bottom exams are required to monitor your progress. Sometimes, this can make the process of egg freezing uncomfortable. There are certain medications and techniques that can be used to try to address these issues if you are concerned. Please talk to one of our physicians if you have questions.

Are fertility testing and treatment services covered by insurance if I am pursuing gender-affirming treatment?

Our Fertility Services Team

Omer Raheem, MD

Urology