In recent years, increasing numbers of people are choosing to start families on their own. Whether driven by personal choice, timing, or life circumstances, single individuals now have more access to fertility treatments than ever before. If you’re considering this path, here’s what you need to know.
Understanding Your Fertility
Before exploring treatment options, it’s advisable to have a fertility assessment. This includes hormone level tests and an ultrasound to evaluate ovarian reserve or sperm quality. Your Consultant will guide you to the specific tests that are most appropriate for you.
Sperm or Egg Donation
One of the main components of fertility treatment for single individuals is donor gametes:
- Single women typically require donor sperm, which can be sourced through a sperm bank compliant with UK legislation. These donors are screened rigorously for health conditions, and their identity can be shared with the child once they turn 18, in line with HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) guidelines.
- Single men who wish to have a biological child will need both an egg donor and a surrogate. Egg donors are usually anonymous but traceable, and as with sperm donors, they undergo extensive medical checks.
Treatment Options for Single Women
Depending on your age and fertility status, clinics might suggest one of the following treatments:
- Intrauterine Insemination: A relatively simple and non-invasive option, IUI involves inserting donor sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation. It’s often recommended for younger women with good ovarian reserve.
- In Vitro Fertilisation: IVF is more complex and involves fertilising an egg with donor sperm in a lab before transferring the embryo to the uterus. This method has a higher success rate, especially for women over 35 or with fertility issues.
- Egg Freezing: If you’re not ready to have a child yet, egg freezing allows you to preserve your fertility for future use.
Options for Single Men
The process for single men is more complex due to the need for both donor eggs and a surrogate. The main steps include:
- Egg Donation and IVF: Donor eggs are fertilised with your sperm via IVF. The resulting embryo is then transferred to a gestational surrogate, who carries the pregnancy.
- Surrogacy: Surrogacy in the UK is legal but must be altruistic (non-commercial). You’ll need to apply for a parental order after the birth to become the legal parent.
Legal Considerations
In the UK, fertility treatment and surrogacy are regulated by the HFEA. It’s crucial to understand the legal responsibilities and parental rights involved, especially in surrogacy arrangements. Consulting a fertility lawyer is highly recommended to ensure everything is in place legally and ethically. Concept Fertility does not offer surrogacy treatment.
Emotional Support and Counselling
Fertility treatment can be emotionally challenging, particularly when going it alone. Most UK clinics offer mandatory counselling sessions to prepare you for the journey ahead. Support groups and online communities can also provide comfort and shared experience.
Choosing to pursue fertility treatment as a single individual is a bold and empowering step. With the right information, medical support, and emotional resources, it’s entirely possible to build the family you’ve envisioned—on your own terms.
If you’d like to learn more about fertility treatments for single individuals or discuss your options in confidence, please get in touch with our friendly team today.
