IUI with Donor Sperm for Lesbian Couples

Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, provides a quick, affordable and minimally invasive pathway to pregnancy for lesbian couples. The IUI procedure simply consists of sperm being placed directly into a woman’s uterus to coincide with ovulation, and can be completed in just a few minutes without disrupting the rest of her day.

Temporary cramping is possible, and complications are rare. For women over the age of 35 or those with unexplained fertility issues, fertility medications that stimulate the ovaries can be taken to increase the chances of success of IUI.

IUI with donor sperm for lesbian couples may cause you to feel concerned about the origins of donor sperm. Dr. Mark Rispler and Dr. Joshua J. Berger will provide reassurances. Sperm donation is a highly regulated procedure involving FDA-required quarantines. Donor samples are initially screened, analyzed, washed, concentrated and frozen for at least six months, and then are only sanctioned for use after a second round of infectious disease testing.

At reputable sperm banks, sperm donor profiles with extensive details on medical and genetic history, education, hobbies and appearance are commonly available to those who would like to review them in the donor selection process.

Factors to Consider before IUI with Donor Sperm for Lesbian Couples

Prior to undergoing an IUI procedure, a prospective mother may consider the following to optimize the likelihood of the IUI succeeding the first time:

• Consider age, fertility, family history of fertility and overall health and choose the partner with the greater likelihood for becoming pregnant.
• Monitor menstrual regularity and ovulation schedules with greater accuracy by partnering with our Manhattan Beach fertility center.
• Start weight loss and nutritional programs, including pre-natal vitamins.

Also known as artificial insemination, the chances of a successful IUI insemination range from 6 to 10% when the woman remains unmedicated. Fertility medications can increase the likelihood of insemination by up to 15 to 25%, although numerous other factors affect the outcome as well, including the age of the sperm donor.

Reciprocal IVF: An Alternative to IUI

Alternatively, if both individuals in a lesbian couple would like to physically participate in the baby-making process, they can consider reciprocal IVF, a multi-step procedure during which one partner’s eggs are inseminated and implanted into the other partner’s uterus to carry to term.

In situations where reciprocal IVF is not financially viable, lesbian couples may still take advantage of IUI using donor sperm for excellent results.

Learn More about IUI with Donor Sperm for Lesbian Couples

To learn more about IUI with donor sperm for lesbian couples, contact the team at Innovative Fertility Center.