Question about infertility

[Declan.]

My partner is presently non-transitioning because he wants to have biological children, but it's getting to the point where he really wants to go through with it, and waiting is causing him a lot of stress. If he goes on testosterone for just a year to get the effects he wants, then ceases treatment, is there a decent chance he will still be able to get pregnant after his testosterone levels drop? Or is it incredibly rare for pregnancy to still be possible?

We did talk to his doctor, who didn't want to say anything beyond "maybe." I'm looking for anecdotal evidence, really.

[Cindy]

You really need the advice of the endocrinologists for this.

[Declan.]

I understand that, but I would still like some anecdotal evidence. To be honest, it's causing him so much stress that he would go through with it at this point even if it were guaranteed he would be infertile. We just want to get a better idea of what to expect.

[Alexthecat]

There are documented cases of FTM's getting pregnant after being on T but it's no guarantee that will be the case for him.

[Declan.]

I know. I'm not looking for a guarantee; I want anecdotal evidence on whether or not it's something that happens once in a blue moon.

[Alexthecat]

You want us to type it in youtube like this for you? https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ftm+pregnant

[Declan.]

Why the attitude? Should we never ask questions on the boards because we could look them up on Youtube or Google instead? I was hoping to have a conversation with a few people who have personal experience with this in some way. I'm aware that it's possible and has happened before. What I'm not sure of is how rare it is.

[Hex]

I have no evidence either because there hasn't really been enough studies showing the effects of T on reproduction in transmen. Literally there just isn't enough data to support swinging one way or another. So all you have to go on are here say and experience and what a doctor tells you. If you're that paranoid, wait to start T until after they have a child. I did with both of mine. Sure it's crappy waiting but if it's for something this important to you then gather up your resources, talk to a therapist and a few doctors needed for what you're doing and go for it.

I can say being apart of many FtM parent groups on FB many of the men there have stated they were ok to get pregnant after stopping T, some even stopped after being on T for years and were able to conceive. But you're literally boiling it down to an individual per basis thing here that research hasn't began to touch.

[wheat thins are delicious]

Anecdotal evidence isn't going to tell you much because it's just that, anecdotal.  It's not something that is true for everyone but rather something that is based on a single individual. 

[Nygeel]

Thomas Beatie started hormones when he was 23 (in about 1997). He gave birth to his first child in 2008. He had bottom surgery in 2012.

I know that he had a lot of problems and complications involved with getting pregnant (including ectopic pregnancy which required surgery). He became pregnant through artificial insemination (as opposed to invitro fertilization). I believe that the eggs were his and were produced from being on hormones to promote eggs released as opposed to frozen eggs.

So...it is something that is possible, but it's probably going to cost a lot, require a lot of time, and might not be so awesome psychologically. I am very much pro-adoption, and think people should consider it.

[Declan.]

I have no evidence either because there hasn't really been enough studies showing the effects of T on reproduction in transmen. Literally there just isn't enough data to support swinging one way or another. So all you have to go on are here say and experience and what a doctor tells you. If you're that paranoid, wait to start T until after they have a child.

We're not paranoid. We just want to have some kind of idea of what to expect.

I can say being apart of many FtM parent groups on FB many of the men there have stated they were ok to get pregnant after stopping T, some even stopped after being on T for years and were able to conceive.

The only information I could find was about a few publicized cases. All I wanted to know was whether or not this is something that's so rare that it deserves a news story every time it happens, so thank you for that information, that's very helpful.

I know that he had a lot of problems and complications involved with getting pregnant (including ectopic pregnancy which required surgery). He became pregnant through artificial insemination (as opposed to invitro fertilization). I believe that the eggs were his and were produced from being on hormones to promote eggs released as opposed to frozen eggs.

So...it is something that is possible, but it's probably going to cost a lot, require a lot of time, and might not be so awesome psychologically. I am very much pro-adoption, and think people should consider it.

Do we know if the effects HRT has on the body damage the fetus even if HRT is stopped long before the pregnancy? Do you know if there are any studies on that? I haven't had much luck finding information.

We're both pro-adoption, but it's expensive, and the kids often have special emotional needs that I'm not sure we're cut out to handle (if we adopted, we wouldn't want a baby). Our families have made their opinions on adopted kids clear too ("it wouldn't be the same," etc.) and we don't want to subject a child to that. Maybe their feelings will change; if so, it's more of an option.

[Nygeel]

Do we know if the effects HRT has on the body damage the fetus even if HRT is stopped long before the pregnancy? Do you know if there are any studies on that? I haven't had much luck finding information. We're both pro-adoption, but it's expensive, and most of the kids have special emotional needs that I'm not sure we're cut out to handle (if we adopted, we wouldn't want a baby).

I don't think there's enough people out there for there to be a study. You could probably contact some trans guys who have given birth and ask about their experiences.

Adoption is (or can be) less expensive than what's needed to become pregnant.

[Declan.]

I don't think there's enough people out there for there to be a study. You could probably contact some trans guys who have given birth and ask about their experiences.

Adoption is (or can be) less expensive than what's needed to become pregnant.

I wasn't aware of that. I looked into it and you're right; I thought the $10,000-$30,000 fee applied to all kids, but it's just newborns. We wouldn't want to adopt a newborn. I'll have to do more research, but right now, I'm concerned about the way our families seem to see adopted kids, and I don't feel we're currently emotionally equipped for the trauma many kids have already been through by the time they're adopted. It's good to know that it's not a financial issue like I thought, though. Thanks.

[Ryan55]

what if you didnt want to carry the kid? I want kids someday with my girl, just not sure if my eggs would be null and void if later in life I stop T for awhile and kinda take my eggs and use I think its in vitro fertilization and my girl carry the kid, I mean in my case, it would probly be easier and cost a little less if we just got a sperm donor and used her eggs (which will most likely happen) but I was just curious if the other way could work too

[Nygeel]

what if you didnt want to carry the kid? I want kids someday with my girl, just not sure if my eggs would be null and void if later in life I stop T for awhile and kinda take my eggs and use I think its in vitro fertilization and my girl carry the kid, I mean in my case, it would probly be easier and cost a little less if we just got a sperm donor and used her eggs (which will most likely happen) but I was just curious if the other way could work too

Surrogacy is possible, but there are certain laws for or against surrogacy in certain states.

[Ryan55]

Surrogacy is possible, but there are certain laws for or against surrogacy in certain states.

thanks!

[Hex]

Yeah and you'd also have to look up storing fees for keeping the eggs. It was an option my doctor went through with me and one I read into. It's not super cheap to keep eggs chilled for long periods of time and it differs per state. Not to mention the fees and costs of actual IV and so on.

[Natkat]

Theres a chance but theres also a risk. like said already everyones body is diffrent and for some going on T even for a short period can make them all sterilized while for other they can still get pregnant after a short period off T.

it still important to go off the, and personally I think it would be better getting pregnant before T and then go on T, than go on T then off T and then if prefered on T again.
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if you want to froze eggs and stuff like that you have to look into the country/state to check the laws.
in some countrys its illigal to save eggs while changing your gender ID, in other countrys there can also be rules about exemple both using doner eggs and sperm.