Gay men choosing parenthood through assisted reproduction: medical and psychosocial considerations.
OBJECTIVE
To medically and psychologically assess gay men seeking parenthood through assisted reproduction and to provide guidelines for the assessment.


METHODS
Qualitative observational study.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


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


METHODS
Semistructured interview and medical evaluation.


METHODS
Determination of psychological and medical eligibility for treatment.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Greenfeld
Dorothy A
DA
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA. dorothy.greenfeld@yale.edu
Seli
Emre
E
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011584:Psychology; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000523:psychology*; D013533:Gestational Carriers