title: Access to fertility services for lesbian women in Canada.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine reproductive services offered to lesbian patients by Canadian fertility clinics, policies of practice, ease of access to these services, and sensitivity of clinics to this population of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey sent to assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinic directors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic medical center, university-based ethics institute.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  The percentage of Canadian fertility clinics that will provide reproductive services to lesbian patients; services offered; the presence of clinic policies on lesbian care; and the presence on web sites of heteronormative material.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Completed surveys were received from 71% (24/34) of clinics. All clinics surveyed provided reproductive services to lesbian patients, with the exception of one clinic. Five of 24 (21%) clinics have a written policy on care for lesbian patients; 29% (7/24) will provide services to lesbian patients without prior investigations. All clinics will offer IUI and cycle monitoring to lesbian patients. Twenty-three of 24 clinics (96%) will offer IVF services when required. Fourteen of 32 clinic web sites (44%) make mention of lesbian patients and 27% (8/30) have heteronormative information only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lesbians encounter several barriers to accessing reproductive services in Canada. Addressing these issues could improve experiences of lesbian women and couples seeking care at fertility clinics.
authors.affiliation: Ottawa Fertility Centre, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: scorbett@conceive.ca.
authors.forename: Shannon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Corbett
authors.forename: Helena M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Frecker
authors.forename: Heather M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Yudin
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D006801:Humans; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration
keywords: Lesbian; assisted reproductive technology; clinic policy; donor insemination