Gay men choosing parenthood through assisted reproduction: medical and psychosocial considerations

Abstract

Objective: To medically and psychologically assess gay men seeking parenthood through assisted reproduction and to provide guidelines for the assessment.

Design: Qualitative observational study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Patient(s): Thirty gay males (15 couples) presenting for assisted reproduction using an oocyte donor and a gestational carrier.

Intervention(s): Semistructured interview and medical evaluation.

Main outcome measure(s): Determination of psychological and medical eligibility for treatment.

Result(s): The average age of men was 38.4 years. All couples were in a committed relationship and had been together for an average 6.4 years. All met medical and psychological criteria for acceptance.

Conclusion(s): Gay men increasingly choose fatherhood through assisted reproduction. Counseling these couples on the medical and emotional demands of in vitro fertilization with a gestational carrier and an oocyte donor is a vital component of pretreatment preparation.