Donor sperm IUI is an effective lesbian fertility option
The Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine offers donor sperm IUI to lesbian patients who are looking to start or grow their families. Robert Anderson MD and Don Royster MD often tell patients at our Southern California fertility center that this treatment is one of the most-efficient paths to pregnancy.
There’s only one difference between donor sperm IUI and traditional IUI
As the name suggests, this treatment requires donor sperm. There are two ways to acquire it.
- You and your partner can ask a friend or a family member to be your sperm donor. With this option, you will have to wait six months before you can use the donor sperm. This is the amount of time that the FDA requires for sperm to be quarantined to rule out any infectious diseases. If you don’t mind the wait, and it’s important to you and your partner to know the father of your child, this is a great option.
- You might consider selecting an anonymous donor through a sperm bank. One of the benefits of selecting a donor from a sperm bank is that the sperm has already been quarantined and is ready to use. If you want more information about a sperm donor, the sperm bank can provide detailed information about everything from his appearance to his interests and talents.
Once you and your partner find a sperm donor, donor sperm IUI follows the same steps as traditional IUI. Our Southern California fertility center will first take a medical history and perform some basic fertility testing. The purpose is to ensure that you do not have any fertility issues that could prevent IUI success.
A key component is determining the timing of insemination
After your fertility testing is complete and our team determines that you are a good candidate for donor sperm IUI, Dr. Anderson or Dr. Royster will assess the regularity of your menstrual cycle to determine the ideal time for insemination.
- If you are a young woman who has regular cycles, your doctor will perform IUI once ovulation occurs.
- If you are over 35 or have irregular cycles, your doctor may prescribe fertility medications to stimulate egg production.
When it is time to perform donor sperm IUI, the process is fast and simple. You will come to our Southern California fertility center. While you lie on an exam table, your doctor will place a speculum and catheter into your vagina. He will then position the catheter into your uterus and release the washed and prepared donor sperm. After the procedure, you will be monitored for signs of pregnancy.
We encourage you to learn more about donor sperm IUI. Please contact the Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine for a consultation.
