Gender Reassignment & Fertility Preservation

Know your options for starting a family after gender reassignment. Fertility specialist, Dr Monique Atkinson, can discuss your fertility preservation plan.

Learn about transgender fertility options

Undergoing gender-affirming therapy is a life-altering decision. For the transgender, gender diverse, and nonbinary members of our community, taking this step of gender reassignment is a significant one that comes with a number of considerations, including the potential to have children in the future. You may choose to have children prior to undergoing gender reassignment, or may prefer to complete your transition therapy and consider starting a family later.

What is Fertility Preservation?

The concept of fertility preservation has historically been associated with oncofertility, however, as more individuals seek gender reassignment, fertility options for transgender people have become an increasingly important consideration.

Fertility preservation refers to the process of maximising the chances of successfully conceiving a child in the future. There are a number of options, guided by whether your body has undergone puberty yet or is still in the prepubertal stage. As your fertility specialist, I will discuss your specific fertility preservation plan with you based on your situation.

Fertility Preservation Options for Trans Men

Trans men (female to male) patients may consider cryopreservation of eggs. This involves undergoing stimulation of your ovaries followed by a surgical procedure to retrieve these eggs, which are subsequently frozen and stored. These eggs can then be used for IVF in the future.

You may also have the option of embryo cryopreservation if you have a male partner. Once I have organised collection of your eggs, these eggs may then be fertilised by sperm from your partner. The embryo is then frozen and safely stored. When you’re ready to start a family, these embryos will be thawed and transferred back to you, depending on the extent of your gender reassignment surgery and personal preferences, or to a surrogate to be carried through pregnancy.

Fertility Preservation Options for Trans Women

Sperm cryopreservation for trans women (male to female) is recommended prior to beginning gender-affirming hormone therapy as studies have demonstrated this treatment can lower sperm count and increase sperm abnormalities. Once your semen sample is frozen, it is stored for future use.

Dr Monique Atkinson is part of the Genea network of leading fertility centres. She holds the highest accreditation available for reproductive gynaecologists and fertility specialists, the Certificate of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Passionate about empowering individuals and couples to make informed choices about building a family whether now or in the future, she treats all her patients with respect and dignity. Particularly with members of the transgender community, which has historically been underserved by healthcare, she conducts her consultations with sensitivity and compassion. Dr Monique is available for face-to-face appointments in her Bella Vista clinic or via telehealth.