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 at a high level. Then, you can speak with your reproductive endocrinologist and Progyny Care Advocate to learn more about the fertility journey that may be right for you.
Using donor eggs or sperm to have a biological child
If you’re hoping to have a biological child as a single person or same-sex couple, assisted reproductive technology can help you.
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
With IVF, sperm fertilizes an egg to create an embryo in a lab. Then, an embryo is transferred to the uterus of the person carrying the pregnancy.
An embryo may be created by combining:
- Sperm with a donor egg, or
- An egg with donor sperm
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, the 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.
Using a surrogate to carry the pregnancy
The embryo can be transferred to a surrogate (gestational carrier) if you will not be carrying the pregnancy.
Your Progyny Care Advocate can provide you with surrogacy information on what to expect, average costs, state specific laws, donor services, and legal services.
Reciprocal IVF (co-maternity IVF)
Reciprocal IVF is a way for both partners to participate in the family building process. One uses their eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy.
- Eggs are retrieved from one partner and fertilized with donor sperm.
- After the embryos develop, they are frozen and tested.
- A high-quality embryo is selected and transferred into the other partner.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
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.
Preserving your fertility
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.
Adopting a child
Your Progyny Care Advocate can provide personalized support throughout the adoption process. These adoption specialists and licensed social workers can give expert guidance, including:
- Details on the process and average cost of adoption.
- Explanation of various processes and pathways.
- Resources to find legal advice for state-specific laws that impact your options.
- Specific counseling for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples.
Thinking it through
Your reproductive endocrinologist is there to walk you through all of this in detail. You can ask anything that’s on your mind. Your Progyny Care Advocate 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.