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Finding a qualified specialist who accepts gay/lesbian patients may be a challenge. The arena of specialists in general is relatively small (for example, there are only about 400 reproductive endocrinologists in the United States), so locating one in your geographical area may be difficult.
The most experienced specialists treat the couple rather than either individual partner alone in their successful practices. Optimally, you will work with a specialist as a team, and it could only be beneficial to have all the "players" on board i.e. both partners. However, in cases where a practitioner will not consider working with a gay/lesbian couple, decisions must be made about whether or not to proceed as a "single" patient.
In general, the issues that gays and lesbians will be addressing are the same as anyone who is considering the use of "third party assistance".
An overview of resources for women trying to conceive:
Generally, artificial insemination refers to any means of introducing sperm into a woman's reproductive system without sexual intercourse. As mentioned above, it may be conducted at home or in a clinic. AI is a relatively uncomplicated way of promoting conception, and is best used for women of average fertility to subfertility.
In vitro, or IVF, is a more elaborate and costly way of creating a conception, and is also more recommended for people with anywhere from subfertility to infertility from a wide range of causes.
Not typically required if a woman is ovulating normally, fertility drugs may be used alone or in conjunction with the above methods. The purpose of all fertility drugs is to induce ovulation, and since they have a number of possible negative side effects, it is unwise to use fertility drugs unless absolutely necessary.
Necessary for conception, donor semen may be obtained either through a known male or via an anonymous situation, such as a clearinghouse or clinic.
© Tracy Morris
