Inclusive healthcare is really important to us and we are committed to providing respectful and dignified fertility care to people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. We strive to create a welcoming and safe environment, where people can receive personalised care free from discrimination or bias.
Fertility Options at the Hewitt Centre for Transgender and Non-Binary Patients
There are many reasons that a transgender or non-binary individual might seek out fertility treatments. Certain treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy or gender-affirming surgeries, can reduce fertility levels or the ability to carry a pregnancy altogether so a transgender person might choose fertility preservation treatments.
If you want to naturally produce children, fertility preservation can mean we store some of your reproductive cells giving an opportunity to use them in the future. This involves sperm freezing and egg freezing. We can offer this care for transgender and non-binary patients as individuals or as part of a couple.
When to consider fertility preservation
We advise having fertility preservation treatment before any gender affirming therapy, and you must be referred to the fertility specialist clinic by a specialist GP or Gender Dysphoria Clinic. Our Fertility Preservation clinics have a specialised pathway and are held once a month at our Liverpool base.
At the appointment our Hewitt specialist team will discuss the options of preserving fertility, and based on your individual management, will advise treatment that is appropriate for you and your goals.
This will involve a full medical history, screening blood tests and the completion of consent forms. We also offer the support of a counselling team.
NHS funding for fertility preservation
Funding criteria are set by local commissioning authorities known as integrated care boards (ICB).
Our team have to apply for patient funding using a document called an IFR – Individual Funding Request, and based on the information we provide, a decision about funding is made by the ICB.
If you are eligible, funding will be provided for the treatment required to collect your eggs or sperm , and fertility preservation of your gametes for a specific period of time.
A letter from a NHS gender identity clinic or Gender Dysphoria clinic will be required to proceed with fertility preservation, this includes NHS or self funded/ private care. Many of our patients are referred to us from CMagic.
If you are not eligible for NHS funding
If you are not eligible for NHS funding for fertility preservation, you can still have this treatment with us on a private/fee paying basis. A letter from a NHS gender identity clinic or Gender Dysphoria clinic will be required to proceed with fertility preservation. Many of our patients are referred to us from CMagic.
There will be a charge for consultation, screening tests, treatment cycle, and storage of gametes.
You can read more about fertility treatment and care for trans and non-binary people below
NHS website - treatment options for gender dysphoria
HFEA - Information for trans and non-binary people seeking fertility treatment | HFEA
Fertility Options at the Hewitt Centre for same sex couple or lesbian or gay individuals
We believe anybody who wants to create a family should be able to do so, and for some couples or individuals that means extra help to reach their goals. Families come in all shapes and sizes and we are proud to provide inclusive fertility care.
If you are in a same sex relationship and decide to create a family, there are different options available to you.
Potential treatments for same-sex couples include:
- Sperm donation
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Egg Donation
- Surrogacy
Our team can help you explore your options at your initial consultation. We will talk though your medical history, arrange investigations like blood tests and scans that will help us to determine the fertility levels of both partners (female or those storing eggs). Once test results are available, we can work with you to develop a treatment plan and look at financial options.
For male couples, or those without a uterus, a popular route to parenthood is via surrogacy, and our specialist team can help and support this journey. Read more about this here I want to know more about surrogacy | The Hewitt Fertility Centre
Unfortunately, most local healthcare boards (ICBs) are not yet providing funding for same sex couples.
Having a baby if you are LGBT+ - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Fertility treatment for LGBT+ people | HFEA