Lesbian Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction: Diverse, But Not Different

The use of assisted reproduction among women in relationships with other women has increased in the United States over the past decade as a result of increased legal access and social acceptance. Despite this shift, limited studies currently exist to guide optimal fertility care for this growing patient population of women seeking assisted reproduction. In this Commentary, assisted reproduction will be meant to include ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Conflicting studies suggest that self-identified lesbian women may demonstrate an increased prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Most available studies find that a woman's sexual orientation does not affect the outcome of fertility treatment. Self-identified lesbian women undergoing donor sperm IUI and IVF have similar pregnancy and live-birth rates as heterosexual women. Better evidence regarding patient demographics and comorbidities, underlying etiologies of subfertility, and assisted reproductive outcomes among women building families with other women is needed to optimize care.