If you identify as transgender, non-binary, or a gender-queer person, you might be wondering if it is still possible to have your own children after a medical transition. Of course, you always have the option to go to your doctor for information regarding your fertility options. However, effective educational resources about transgender fertility are not easy to find if you are looking for one. In this post, we will look at the available pregnancy options, family-building process, and available fertility services for Transgender males, females, and all individuals at our LGBT fertility clinic.

How can medical transition impact future Transgender fertility?

Typically, teenagers begin hormone replacement therapy (HRT) around age 16. Thus, young adults who identify as transgender or non-binary will have to make final decisions regarding their fertility before they even get their driver’s licenses. It might feel like a whole lot of pressure for the adolescents and their parents. However, with adequate information regarding the impact of transition on fertility, people can make great decisions for themselves. Moreover, they can make plans for children in the future with the help of the LGBT fertility clinic(s).

Puberty blockers

There is a chance that you have not reached the puberty stage, or you are too young to begin hormone therapy. In that case, your doctors may place you on medications that postpone puberty in children (puberty blockers). This medication’s purpose is to stop you from developing secondary sex characteristics of the gender you are assigned at birth. When you become older, you can begin hormone replacement therapy in order to develop the secondary sex traits associated with the sex you identify with.

Now let us go back to the big question: Can taking puberty blockers affect conception in the future? Unfortunately, there are still no certain answers. It’s because health specialists are not yet sure of the long-term effects. The effects of puberty blockers are reversible in adults. Nonetheless, it is not clear whether taking these medications prior to puberty transition impacts future transgender fertility. However, the journal Translational Andrology and Urology published a study on this topic in 2016. The study found that puberty inhibitors can cause the testicles to shrink. Also, it can make the production of sperm more difficult.

Testosterone

Available scientific data suggest that testosterone (T) does not affect ovary function in trans men, even when used for many years. Studies indicate that 80% of people will begin to ovulate again within six months of stopping testosterone.

There is a chance that testosterone (T) may affect the ovaries in transgender women. However, scientists are not sure whether there is a long-lasting effect on the ovaries. Besides, the impacts may even be reversible. That said, we advise that you take great care of yourself. Also, take a prenatal vitamin to increase the likelihood of conception.

Sure, you can be taking testosterone for many years and still have a baby using your own eggs. However, keep in mind that the experience of each person with fertility, especially transgender fertility, is different. Remember, that testosterone therapy inhibits ovulation. Thus, you will have to stop taking testosterone and start having menstrual periods when you are trying to become pregnant. We encourage you to seek additional support if you worry about how coming off hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will make you feel. Remember, talking to a friend, consulting a therapist, or even contacting a community of people who are going through the same thing could be beneficial during this time.

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Estrogen

While it is true that estrogen affects sperm production, no one knows how reversible estrogen effects are. The chances are that sperm production may still be affected, even after estrogen has been stopped. For this reason, Transgender People can find it difficult to conceive with their own eggs after estrogen therapy.

If your medical transition journey involves estrogen therapy and you intend to have a baby with your own sperm, you need to consider sperm freezing via cryopreservation. It is a safe way to preserve your ability to have a biological child in the future.

Gender-affirming surgery (GAS)

Although a person’s transition may involve various surgeries, “bottom surgery” is the one that can affect your fertility the most. Trans people who undergo a hysterectomymay not be able to get pregnant and carry a healthy pregnancy in the future. In that same regard, people who have their reproductive organs removed cannot use their sperm or eggs to have a baby.

However, if you are going through any of these sex-reassignment surgeries, remember that with the help of an LGBT fertility clinic, there are treatment options for having children using your own egg or sperm:

For Transgender men:

  • Ovarian tissue cryopreservation, or ovarian tissue freezing.
  • Oocyte cryopreservation, or egg freezing.
  • Embryo cryopreservation, or embryo freezing.

For Transgender women:

How to find a supportive fertility clinic for Transgender?

Non-cisgender individuals are usually neglected in fertility medicine. So, it is difficult for Transgender people to find healthcare providers that will help them in their family-building journey. The Center for American Progress conducted a notable study in this regard. And it found out 29 % of Transgender people reported that healthcare providers did not assist them because of their gender identity. It is not surprising that many people who identify as Transgender are afraid of or don’t like discussing their fertility with their doctor. This makes it even more important for them to be able to turn to an LGBT fertility clinic to get the answers to their questions and find viable pregnancy options.

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How to find support?

Fertility, conception, and pregnancy options for LGBT are all very personal processes. All of these are filled with a lot of hope and emotion. Many of us have certain expectations regarding how we want our parenthood journey to be. So, it’s only natural to have frustrations when things don’t go as planned. Fortunately, there are several avenues to find support in your local community, also about transgender IVF. One common source is through Facebook groups. Here you can meet other Transgender people who are also trying to have children.

RSMC, an LGBT fertility clinic, believes that everyone needs to be fully supported when they are trying to become parents, regardless of their gender, race, or sexual preference. If you are interested in learning more about available options for Transgender individuals, general pregnancy options for LGBT, or if you have any questions regarding your fertility, contact RSMC at (858) 436-7186 or schedule your consultation here.

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