Written by the Progyny Editorial Team. Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team — December 2025.
Progyny’s inclusive fertility benefit supports all paths to parenthood. If you need assistance becoming pregnant with a donor egg, donor sperm, or a surrogate, you have options.
Let’s walk through those options at a high level. Then, you can speak with your reproductive endocrinologist and Progyny Care Advocate (PCA) to learn more about the fertility journey that may be right for you.
If you’re hoping to have a biological child as a single person or same-sex couple, assisted reproductive technology can help you.
With IVF, sperm fertilizes an egg to create an embryo in a lab. Then, the embryo is transferred to the uterus of the person carrying the pregnancy.
An embryo may be created by combining:
If you are using your own eggs, the embryo may be transferred with fresh IVF, the process of transferring the embryo to your uterus 3 to 5 days after retrieving the eggs.
Another option for all people is frozen embryo transfer. With this, embryos are frozen and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can assess the genetic health of the embryos to select the best embryo for transfer. PGT leads to better chances of a successful pregnancy.
The embryo can be transferred to a surrogate (gestational carrier) if you will not be carrying the pregnancy.
Your PCA can provide you with surrogacy information on what to expect, average costs, state-specific laws, donor services, and legal services.
Reciprocal IVF is a way for both partners to participate in the family building process. One partner uses their eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy.
With IUI, sperm is placed directly in the uterus using a thin tube. IUI is timed with your menstrual cycle, at the time when the ovary releases an egg. Sometimes, medicine is used to help the body produce eggs.
Egg, sperm, and embryo freezing can be used for anyone who wants to preserve their fertility, including before gender-affirming treatment.
With frozen eggs, sperm, or embryos you can pursue the fertility treatment plan that’s right for you in the future — including IVF, IUI, and/or surrogacy.
Your PCA can provide personalized support throughout the adoption process. These adoption specialists and licensed social workers can give expert guidance, including:
Your reproductive endocrinologist is there to walk you through all of this in detail. You can ask anything that’s on your mind. Your PCA is also here to talk about your options and help you get ready for your visits with your healthcare team.
Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.