For many trans men, IVF and gender dysphoria often intersect when hormone therapy must be paused, or when fertility procedures trigger physical changes and clinical experiences that feel misaligned with one’s identity.

Whether you’re early in your transition or already on testosterone, you deserve options that support your well-being, not just your biological goals.

The path is yours to define—we’re here to walk it with you. Contact us today to learn more about how surrogacy can be a self-affirming option to grow your family.

This guide is here to help you understand what to expect from IVF as a trans masculine parent and how surrogacy and egg donation can help lessen the burden of gender dysphoria.

Can IVF Cause Gender Dysphoria?

Yes, IVF and gender dysphoria often intersect for trans men.

Stopping testosterone for egg retrieval can trigger the return of unwanted physical changes, while procedures like ultrasounds and hormone injections may intensify dysphoria, especially in gendered medical settings.

For many, the experience can feel emotionally disorienting—but with affirming providers and support, IVF is still possible.

Learn more about the egg retrieval process for IVF and surrogacy.

Options Beyond Traditional IVF: How Surrogacy Can Support Trans Masculine Parents

For many trans men, IVF and gender dysphoria are deeply intertwined. Creating embryos—whether for personal IVF or surrogacy—still requires egg retrieval and a temporary pause in testosterone, which can trigger significant physical and emotional discomfort.

The process may involve invasive procedures and time spent in clinical settings that feel misaligned with one’s identity.

Depending on your needs and comfort level, there are affirming paths forward:

• Donor egg IVF: You might consider using donor eggs, which allows you to avoid the dysphoria associated with hormone stimulation and retrieval while still building a family through IVF.
• Surrogacy: If you’re comfortable with egg retrieval but not with pregnancy, surrogacy may be an ideal fit, allowing you to create embryos with your own eggs while a surrogate carries the pregnancy.
• Donor egg surrogacy: If you want to avoid both the IVF process and pregnancy, donor egg surrogacy removes both the physical and psychological stressors while still allowing you to become a parent.

At American Surrogacy, we understand that every path to parenthood is personal. We’re here to help you explore your options with care, clarity, and compassion—so you can make the decision that’s right for you.

Need help deciding what feels right? Reach out today to explore paths that align with your emotional well-being, family goals and identity.

Should You Pause Testosterone for IVF? What to Know

If you intend to use your own eggs for IVF or surrogacy, most fertility clinics require trans men to pause testosterone to support a successful egg retrieval process.

Pausing HRT, often for several weeks, can lead to the return of physical traits tied to one’s assigned sex at birth, which may intensify IVF and gender dysphoria symptoms.

Knowing what to expect can make a major difference. Emotional shifts, body changes and discomfort with medical procedures are common—but they’re not unmanageable.

Working with affirming providers and preparing mentally and physically ahead of time can help ease this process.

Talking to Your Clinic: How to Advocate for Gender-Affirming Fertility Care

Navigating IVF and gender dysphoria starts with choosing a clinic that respects your identity. Not all fertility providers are experienced in working with trans men, and many environments can unintentionally trigger dysphoria through misgendering, invasive procedures or lack of inclusive language.

Before starting treatment, ask about the clinic’s experience with LGBTQ+ patients, their approach to trauma-informed care, and whether staff are trained in gender-affirming practices. Your emotional well-being matters as much as your medical outcome.

At American Surrogacy, we help intended parents connect with supportive clinics that prioritize comfort, respect and affirming care—because every step of your journey should feel like it belongs to you.

Need help finding a gender-affirming fertility provider? Reach out to start your journey with support you can trust.

When IVF Isn’t Right: Why Some Trans Men Choose Surrogacy First

For some trans men, IVF and gender dysphoria are too closely linked to pursue comfortably. The idea of stopping HRT, undergoing invasive procedures, or facing a pregnancy that feels misaligned with their identity can be overwhelming.

In these cases, surrogacy isn’t a last resort, it’s a deliberate, affirming choice.

Surrogacy offers a path to biological parenthood without compromising emotional safety. At American Surrogacy, we support trans intended parents in choosing what feels right for them whether that means IVF or surrogacy.

Fertility Planning for Trans Men Considering Surrogacy: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re exploring surrogacy as a path to parenthood, here’s what you need to know, especially when navigating IVF and gender dysphoria along the way:

Step 1: Decide If You Want a Genetic Connection

Surrogacy can allow you to have a biological child using your own eggs. If you haven’t started testosterone, egg retrieval may be easier to schedule without interruption.

Step 2: Consider Your HRT Timeline

If you haven’t started testosterone yet, freezing your eggs now may reduce the risk of unsuccessful egg retrieval, and may allow you to avoid the need to pause HRT later.

If you’re already on HRT, plan for a pause—often 1–3 months—to allow your body to resume egg production.

Step 3: Coordinate With a Fertility Clinic

Schedule an initial consult with a clinic to evaluate your fertility and discuss egg retrieval logistics.

Step 4: Prepare for IVF and Gender Dysphoria

The IVF process includes hormone injections and an invasive procedure. If pausing HRT, undergoing ovarian stimulation or completing the egg retrieval process feels too dysphoric, or is unsuccessful, egg donation remains a viable and affirming alternative.

Step 5: Choose a Surrogacy Agency That Affirms You

Partner with an agency (like American Surrogacy) that understands the needs of trans intended parents. Once you have embryos ready, we can match you with a surrogate who is excited to work with you and your partner.

Your Next Step: Compassionate, Personalized Support

Whether you’re early in your transition, already managing IVF and gender dysphoria, or considering surrogacy as a more affirming option, your path to parenthood deserves care and support.

At American Surrogacy, we guide LGBTQ+ intended parents through every step—with trusted clinics, inclusive professionals and surrogates who honor your identity and goals.

You’re not alone in this journey and you don’t have to navigate it without a team that understands.

Connect with a surrogacy specialist today to explore the options that align with your identity, timeline and dreams of building a family.

Check out our surrogacy programs for LGBT parents.

Parenthood may be part of your vision for the future. But if you’re currently on testosterone, you may not be sure what’s possible when it comes to fertility.

You deserve information that affirms your identity and gives you real choices. In this guide, we’ll cover how testosterone affects fertility and provide options for next steps. We can help you find the right path that aligns with your identity, comfort and goals.

If you’d like more information, fill out our form to connect with one of our surrogacy specialists.

Can a Trans Man Get Pregnant While on Testosterone? What to Know

Technically, yes, a trans man getting pregnant while on testosterone is possible, but unlikely. Testosterone generally suppresses ovulation and may affect an embryo’s ability to implant in your uterus.

Because of this, the chances of a trans man on hormones getting pregnant are very low. However, with fertility preservation and temporarily stopping hormones, pregnancy may be possible.

Does Fertility Change in Trans People With Hormone Treatment?

Yes, testosterone impacts both the consistency and quality of egg production. Over time, it suppresses ovulation and usually stops periods altogether.

The effect depends on how long you’ve been on testosterone, your age and your reproductive health.

Because egg quality naturally declines with age, and testosterone can add complexity, early planning matters.

In addition to impacting egg production, testosterone may also affect the uterine lining, which can make it more difficult for an embryo to implant successfully.

Can a Trans Man Do IVF? How it Works At Different Stages of HRT

Yes, IVF is a viable option for many trans men, but it involves important considerations depending on where you are in your hormone journey.

If You Are Pre-HRT

If you have not yet started hormone therapy, it is typically recommended to freeze your eggs before beginning testosterone. This helps preserve your fertility at its current baseline.

 If you decide to pursue pregnancy later, you will still need to pause testosterone during the embryo transfer phase of IVF.

If You Have Already Started HRT

If you are already on HRT and haven’t preserved your eggs, you’ll need to stop testosterone prior to starting ovarian stimulation and remain off it through the egg retrieval process, and possibly through the embryo transfer as well.

Additionally, the effects of testosterone on the ovaries and reproductive system may make egg retrieval more complex for those who have been on HRT long term.

Research from Boston IVF found that trans men who paused testosterone for around four months had similar egg retrieval outcomes to cisgender women undergoing IVF.

This pause can be physically and emotionally difficult, particularly for a trans man on hormones getting pregnant.

Why Do Trans Men Need to Stop Testosterone to Get Pregnant with IVF?

In addition to suppressing ovulation, testosterone may also thin or destabilize the uterine lining, which can make it more difficult for an embryo to implant successfully.

For a trans man on hormones getting pregnant, stopping testosterone may improve the chances of a healthy implantation, which is critical for pregnancy.

What to Expect from IVF as a Trans Man

1. If currently undergoing HRT, you’ll pause testosterone under medical supervision
2. Begin ovarian stimulation with hormone injections
3. Monitor egg development via ultrasounds and bloodwork
4. Undergo egg retrieval with light sedation.

Given the emotional and physical demands of IVF, it’s important to work with providers who affirm your identity. Some fertility clinics offer mental health support and gender-affirming care as part of the treatment process.

Fertility Preservation Before or After Starting HRT

If you’re thinking about starting testosterone or are considering pausing HRT to grow your family, fertility preservation can help you keep biological options open.

Here are two common methods:

• Egg Freezing: Involves harvesting eggs and freezing them unfertilized. This is often done before starting testosterone, but in some cases, it’s possible after stopping.
• Embryo Freezing: Embryos are created by combining your eggs with a partner’s or donor’s sperm. The resulting embryos are frozen for later use. This may be ideal if you know you want to pursue surrogacy later.

While outcomes are usually better before starting HRT, some trans men have preserved fertility even after hormone use.

Learn more about how embryos are frozen for surrogacy.

IVF Limitations After Long-Term Hormone Use

It’s important to acknowledge that long-term testosterone use can affect the success of IVF.

While many trans men have successfully completed IVF after pausing HRT, the effects of prolonged testosterone therapy on egg quality and uterine receptivity may lower the chances of implantation and overall IVF success.

For trans men who have been on hormones for several years, the reproductive system may respond less robustly to stimulation medications and the endometrial lining may not easily return to a state conducive for implantation.

Even with egg retrieval and fertilization, embryo transfer may not result in a pregnancy.

This is one reason why surrogacy may be a more effective and emotionally supportive path to parenthood, especially for a trans man on hormones getting pregnant or preserving fertility.

Why Surrogacy for Trans Men May Be a Better Option

If IVF is not successful after HRT or it doesn’t feel right for your body or identity, surrogacy is an option..

Higher Chances of Successful Implantation

From a medical perspective, surrogacy may offer a higher chance of success for trans men who have been on HRT long term. Testosterone can affect both egg quality and uterine receptivity, which can make pregnancy or embryo transfer more complex.

With surrogacy, these barriers are removed, and the embryo is transferred to a gestational surrogate whose body is fully prepared to carry a pregnancy.

You Won’t Have to Pause HRT for the Embryo Transfer

If you froze your eggs in advance or use donor eggs, surrogacy allows you to maintain your HRT regimen without interruption, avoiding the physical changes and emotional challenges that may come with pausing treatment for the embryo transfer or pregnancy.

Even if you pause testosterone for egg retrieval, that’s still less time that you have to pause treatment than if you carried the pregnancy yourself.

Avoiding Potential Gender Dysphoria Caused by Pregnancy

Surrogacy can help you avoid dysphoria that may arise from the hormonal shifts, body changes, sensations and psychological stress of pregnancy or childbirth.

This makes it an emotionally safer choice for a trans man on hormones getting pregnant or planning a family.

Surrogacy comes with emotional, financial and legal considerations, but for many, it provides a path that honors their identity and offers greater comfort.

Learn more about our LGBTQ+ surrogacy programs designed specifically for trans and queer families.

Can a Trans Man Use His Eggs in a Surrogacy Journey?

Yes, a trans man can use his own eggs to create embryos.

If you have frozen eggs or are willing to pause testosterone for egg retrieval, IVF allows your eggs to be fertilized with your partner’s sperm or a donor’s sperm. The resulting embryos can then be transferred to a surrogate.

Pausing HRT for the egg retrieval process can bring up dysphoria for some trans men, as it may involve temporary physical changes and emotional stress. Having a supportive and affirming care team can make a significant difference.

To support your well-being:

• Work with gender-affirming fertility providers.
• Request mental health support throughout treatment.
• Be prepared for side effects like bloating or hormonal shifts.
• Lean on your support system—friends, partners, therapists, and LGBTQ+ healthcare providers.

Using Donor Eggs: When Your Own Eggs Aren’t an Option

If using your own eggs doesn’t feel right for you, or if it isn’t possible, egg donor surrogacy is a valid and empowering alternative.

Many trans men choose this path for comfort, medical reasons or simply personal preference. Working with a surrogacy agency can help you explore egg donor options that align with your values and goals.

Your Family-Building Plan Starts Here

Family-building is a personal journey. Every trans man deserves options that honor and affirm who they are. We’re here to help. Reach out to connect with a surrogacy specialist and begin planning your future on your terms.

As more families seek low-intervention options, natural cycle surrogacy has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional, hormone-heavy protocols.

These protocols promise fewer hormones and a more “in sync” experience, but are they as reliable as they sound?

Contact us today to speak with a surrogacy specialist about your embryo transfer options. We’re ready to support you whichever path you choose.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about natural cycle surrogacy, including how it works, how it compares to medicated cycles and what success rates really look like.

What Is Natural Cycle Surrogacy?

Natural cycle surrogacy refers to a type of frozen embryo transfer (FET) in which the surrogate’s own natural menstrual cycle is used to guide the timing of the embryo transfer, rather than manipulating her cycle entirely with synthetic hormones.

This approach can feel more intuitive and less invasive for many surrogates, though it still involves some medical support, such as:

• A trigger shot (typically hCG) to precisely time ovulation
• Progesterone supplementation post-ovulation to support the endometrial lining

At American Surrogacy, we work closely with fertility clinics to determine if this low-intervention method is right for your surrogate and your goals.

Learn more about the embryo transfer process during your surrogacy.

Do Surrogates Have to Take Hormones? Here’s the Truth

It’s easy to assume that natural cycle surrogacy means no medications—but that’s not the full story. While often promoted as a “low-intervention” alternative, a natural frozen embryo transfer still involves hormonal support.

Even in a natural cycle, most surrogates will need:

• A trigger shot to force ovulation at the right time
• Progesterone supplementation to maintain a uterine lining suitable for implantation

Bottom line: Even in natural protocols, surrogates still take some hormones, but much less than in medicated protocols.

Reddit users share their experiences with medication protocols in natural surrogacy throughout this thread.

Natural vs. Medicated Embryo Transfer: What’s the Difference?

While natural cycle surrogacy offers lower hormone exposure, it also introduces more complexity, unpredictability and potential for disruption. Here’s how the two approaches compare:

Natural Cycle Surrogacy:

• Relies on the surrogate’s body, introducing unpredictability and a higher chance of rescheduling
• Minimal hormone use; requires ovulation trigger and progesterone
• Requires intensive tracking with bloodwork and ultrasounds; small deviations can derail the cycle
• Low flexibility; timing can be thrown off by natural variability

Medicated FET

• Fully controlled by the clinic, offering precise timing and fewer surprises
• High hormone use with consistent dosing of estrogen and progesterone for controlled results
• Predictable protocol with fewer monitoring demands once the schedule is set
• High flexibility for coordinating schedules across all parties

Natural cycle surrogacy often demands more time, vigilance and patience without guaranteeing better outcomes. Always consult with your clinic to determine which protocol offers the most reliability for your unique case.

Why Natural Cycle Surrogacy Isn’t Always the Simpler Option

For some intended parents and surrogates, the appeal of a natural frozen embryo transfer lies in its lighter medication load and alignment with the body’s natural rhythm.

But despite the name, natural cycle surrogacy is far from hands-off and its benefits can come with tradeoffs that aren’t always obvious at first.

Pros:

• Fewer synthetic hormones than a medicated protocol
• Potentially lower medication costs
• May feel more “natural” or emotionally intuitive for some surrogates
• Some surrogates report fewer side effects and a smoother physical experience

Cons:

• Requires frequent, precise monitoring (blood draws, ultrasounds)
• Offers limited flexibility—timing depends on the surrogate’s body, not the calendar
• Higher risk of cancellation or delay if ovulation is missed or mistimed
• Not suitable for surrogates with irregular cycles, hormonal imbalances, or inconsistent responses to triggers

Natural cycle surrogacy can seem like a simpler or more holistic route, but in practice, it often demands more vigilance, tighter coordination and an openness to uncertainty.

Still unsure? American Surrogacy helps you evaluate your surrogate’s eligibility to make the right choice for your family-building plan. Fill out our easy form today.

Natural Frozen Embryo Transfer Success Rates: How Effective Is It Really?

Success rates for a natural frozen embryo transfer are often described as comparable to medicated protocols but that comparison comes with caveats.

While some studies do show similar pregnancy outcomes, those results typically apply to a narrow set of ideal conditions.

Natural cycle surrogacy may deliver strong results when:

• The surrogate has highly predictable ovulation
• Endometrial thickness reaches the clinical threshold
• The embryo quality is excellent

However, these factors are harder to control in a natural cycle. Slight variations in timing or hormone levels, things a medicated cycle is designed to regulate, can have an outsized impact on outcomes.

At American Surrogacy, we help you weigh the real-world success rates alongside your personal priorities so you can make the choice that aligns with both your values and your outcome goals.

This guide explains embryo transfer success rates in greater detail.

Why Some Intended Parents Choose Natural Cycle Surrogacy

Intended parents may be drawn to natural cycle surrogacy for a variety of reasons:

• Minimizing hormone exposure for the surrogate
• Positive past experiences with natural frozen embryo transfer
• A desire for a more holistic process aligned with the body’s rhythm
• A sense of greater emotional balance throughout the cycle

Surrogates often report feeling more in tune with their body and experiencing fewer side effects, which can lead to a smoother emotional journey overall.

Making the Decision: Which Protocol Is Right for You?

The decision to pursue natural cycle surrogacy should be made collaboratively with your agency, fertility clinic and surrogate. This approach can offer a more natural experience but requires:

• A surrogate with regular menstrual cycles
• Willingness for intensive monitoring
• Comfort with the possibility of schedule shifts or delays

At American Surrogacy, we support both natural and medicated embryo transfer protocols, ensuring that your journey is medically sound and emotionally supported every step of the way.

If Natural Cycle Surrogacy Is the Path, Our Surrogates Meet the Standard

While natural cycle surrogacy isn’t right for every journey, there are cases where fertility clinics will recommend it, especially if the surrogate has a consistent history of ovulation and previous success with frozen embryo transfers.

If your clinic supports this path, you can feel confident knowing American Surrogacy is fully prepared to match you with a highly-qualified surrogate.

Every surrogate in our program undergoes:

• Pre-screening and a review of her medical history
• A physical assessment conducted by a fertility clinic
• Confirmation of at least one previous successful pregnancy

We work closely with your clinic to ensure that any surrogate recommended for a natural cycle protocol is medically qualified, emotionally prepared and logistically reliable. That means no guesswork, just a clear, coordinated plan built around your family’s goals.

That means no guesswork, just a clear, coordinated plan built around your family’s goals.

Your Next Step: Talk to American Surrogacy

Whether you’re curious about natural frozen embryo transfer or need guidance on hormone protocols for your surrogate, American Surrogacy is here to help.

Contact us today to explore the best embryo transfer option for your family.

If you’ve experienced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in a previous pregnancy, you know the emotional and physical toll it can take. Facing the possibility of future pregnancy complications can feel overwhelming.

But you’re not out of options. Surrogacy offers a safe path to expanding your family.

If you’re seeking a safer way to grow your family, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way. Fill out our contact form to learn more about how surrogacy can help you have the family of your dreams.

In this guide, we’ll explore what IUGR means for your health, how it may impact future pregnancies and why surrogacy might be the safest, most empowering choice for your family-building journey.

Will IUGR Happen Again in Future Pregnancies? The Recurrence Risk of IUGR

Having IUGR in a previous pregnancy increases your risk of it happening again. Studies show the recurrence risk of IUGR is over 70% more likely in future pregnancies.

In some cases, complications become even more severe over time.

Facing this reality can be heartbreaking. It’s natural to grieve the idea of carrying a pregnancy yourself. But choosing an alternative path like surrogacy after IUGR is not giving up — it’s choosing a safer, hopeful future for you and your child.

Why Some Parents Consider Surrogacy After IUGR in a Previous Pregnancy

For many parents who have experienced the emotional and physical toll of IUGR in a previous pregnancy, the thought of enduring another high-risk pregnancy can be overwhelming.

The fear of recurrence, compounded by concerns for both maternal and fetal health, often leads families to consider alternative paths to parenthood.

Surrogacy offers a powerful solution. By working with a gestational surrogate, intended parents can maintain a biological connection to their child while significantly reducing the health risks associated with pregnancy.

For parents who have faced the trauma of pregnancy complications, surrogacy after IUGR provides an opportunity to expand their family with greater peace of mind and emotional healing.

The Possible Complications of IUGR in Future Pregnancies

IUGR carries severe risk for mother and child alike.

For mothers, IUGR brings a higher risk of:

• Preeclampsia
• Sepsis
• Preterm birth
• Emergency C-section

For babies, IUGR increases the risk of:

• Stillbirth (up to 46%)
• Hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Neurological delays
• Issues keeping or losing weight

Experiencing IUGR doesn’t just affect one pregnancy — it can shape your future fertility journey.

How Surrogacy Can Help You Grow Your Family Safely

Surrogacy after IUGR allows intended parents to experience the joys of family-building without facing the medical risks that could jeopardize their health or the baby’s well-being.

In a gestational surrogacy arrangement, the surrogate carries an embryo created from the intended parents’ (or donors’) genetic material, ensuring a biological bond without requiring the mother to undergo another high-risk pregnancy.

After living through the anxiety of IUGR in previous pregnancies, surrogacy offers a pathway filled with hope, safety and expert support.

Partnering with an experienced agency ensures that the surrogate undergoes thorough health screenings, and the entire journey is managed with the utmost care, professionalism and compassion.

When Is Surrogacy Recommended?

For women who’ve had IUGR in previous pregnancy, surrogacy can offer a path forward for their child with minimal risk. You might benefit from surrogacy if:

• Experienced IUGR in a previous pregnancy
• Suffered a pregnancy loss linked to IUGR
• Have a medical condition increasing IUGR risk (e.g., lupus, kidney disease)
• Must take medications linked to fetal growth restriction
• Have a history of preeclampsia or other severe pregnancy complications

If you’re planning a pregnancy but are unsure about your risk of IUGR, contact your OB-GYN.

A consultation with a trusted surrogacy agency can help you explore these considerations and determine the best path forward for your family.

 A Path Forward with Surrogacy: 5 Steps

With American Surrogacy, your path to parenthood is simple, supported and personalized:

Step 1: Contact a Surrogacy Agency

The first step in your family building journey is quick and easy. Reach out to our specialists for a free consultation. We’ll talk to you about your family goals and answer any questions you may have.

Step 2: Match with a Surrogate

 We’ll help you fill out our surrogacy planning questionnaire to get an idea of what you want your journey to look like, including what you’re looking for in a surrogate.

You’ll be able to review and select from a pool of pre-screened surrogates who align with your hopes, values and preferences.

Step 3: Finalize the Legal Agreements

Establish clear, compassionate legal contracts that protect your parental rights and outline expectations. We can help you find a surrogacy attorney near you that specializes in your state’s surrogacy laws.

Step 4: Begin the Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy Journey

Start the IVF process, stay connected with your surrogate and celebrate key pregnancy milestones together.

Step 5: Welcome Your Baby and Complete Finalization

Celebrate the birth of your child, finalize the necessary legal documents, and bring your new baby home.

How American Surrogacy Supports Parents After Pregnancy Challenges

At American Surrogacy, we understand the complex emotions and difficult decisions that come after experiencing pregnancy complications like IUGR.

• Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, knowledgeable support at every stage of your surrogacy journey.
• We offer quick, personalized surrogate matching to ensure the right fit for your family’s needs.
• Our partnerships with leading fertility specialists, legal experts and counselors ensure that your journey is managed with professionalism and care.

When you choose American Surrogacy, you’re choosing a partner that understands the sensitivity and significance of this next step in your family’s story.

To hear more stories from families like yours, join our Instagram, or explore the fertility stories of people who became parents through surrogacy. To take the next step in your own story, contact us online today.

After everything you’ve been through, thinking about having a baby after hormone positive breast cancer might feel risky or out-of-reach. But what if the path to parenthood didn’t involve more medical risk?

Surrogacy provides a safer, medically advisable path to building your family after cancer.

This guide explains what makes pregnancy after hormone driven breast cancer risky, how surrogacy after cancer works and why this family-building path might be right for you.

If you’re ready to learn more, get free information when you  fill out our form.

Can You Get Pregnant After Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer? And is it Safe? ­

Yes, getting pregnant after hormone positive breast cancer is possible. Whether it’s “safe” depends entirely on your unique medical history and treatment plan.

Even after you’re cancer-free, you will likely need to continue taking hormone-blocking medications to prevent the recurrence of the cancer. This treatment can last 5 to 10 years.

While these therapies are essential for your health, they can make having a baby after hormone positive breast cancer difficult or impossible, and possibly even riskier.

Here are a few factors to consider:

• Whether pausing treatment could increase your risk of recurrence
• Your fertility status after treatment
• Your emotional readiness for pregnancy after cancer
• The physical demands of pregnancy post-treatment

If there’s any uncertainty, surrogacy can offer a way to become a parent without interrupting life-saving therapies.

How Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer Affects Fertility

Hormone-driven breast cancer, also called hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, is a type of cancer fueled by estrogen or progesterone. These hormones also play a major role in fertility and pregnancy.

Treatments like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors suppress estrogen and progesterone — hormones your body needs to support conception and carry a pregnancy.

Even if your overall health has stabilized, long-term therapy can lower or eliminate fertility.

Most oncologists recommend waiting at least two years after starting hormone therapy before trying to conceive. Many advise completing the full course of hormone-blocking treatment before considering pregnancy.

Why Surrogacy May Be Safer than Pregnancy After Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer

Instead of facing hormonal shifts, treatment interruptions, and potential recurrence risks, you can prioritize your health while still building the family you’ve dreamed of.

With the help of a thoroughly screened surrogate, surrogacy offers a medically safer, emotionally reassuring path to parenthood.

Choosing surrogacy means:

• Protecting your health while growing your family
• Avoiding the need to pause or end hormone therapy prematurely
• Retaining genetic ties to your child (if using your preserved eggs or embryos)
• Gaining peace of mind throughout the pregnancy journey

At American Surrogacy, we work closely with survivors to craft tailored surrogacy journeys that honor your medical needs, emotional wellbeing, and family dreams.

If you preserved fertility through egg or embryo freezing before cancer treatment, you may still be able to use them for surrogacy. If not, you still have options. Many survivors choose to grow their families through egg donation combined with surrogacy.

Financial Assistance: 3 Surrogacy Grants for Cancer Patients

We understand that surrogacy can be expensive, especially after cancer treatment. Fortunately, there are organizations offering surrogacy grants for cancer patients to make this dream more attainable.

• Worth the Wait offers $500 to $2,500 in grants for emergency fertility preservation and post-cancer family building. Applicants must be between 13 and 39 and show financial need.
• Livestrong Fertility supports fertility preservation and IVF for those diagnosed with cancer. Applicants must apply before starting treatment.
• The SAMFund helps cover costs of IVF, surrogacy or fertility services. It’s available to survivors aged 21 to 39 with demonstrated financial need.

American Surrogacy can help you explore all available grants, fundraising strategies and financial planning resources.

View our full list of surrogacy grants for cancer survivors.

How to Get Started With Surrogacy After Hormone-Driven Breast Cancer

If you think surrogacy could be right for you, here what you can do:

• Step 1: Schedule a consultation. Talk with a surrogacy specialist who can guide you through the process.
• Step 2: Review your fertility preservation status. If you froze eggs or embryos before treatment, now is the time to check on their status and determine if they can be used in your surrogacy journey.
• Step 3: Look into financial planning and available grants. Explore resources that can help offset surrogacy costs, including grants specifically for cancer survivors.

You’re Not Alone: American Surrogacy Is Here to Help

You’ve already shown incredible resilience by facing cancer head-on. Now, let’s write your next chapter — one filled with hope, healing, and family.

American Surrogacy is honored to walk beside you every step of the way. Whether you’re just starting to explore surrogacy after cancer or ready to begin your journey, we’re here for you.

Contact us today to get free information about having a baby after hormone positive breast cancer through surrogacy.

When you’re creating embryos for surrogacy, every decision feels high-stakes—including what you eat.

Many intended parents consider the paleo diet for IVF as a way to boost embryo quality before transfer to a surrogate. It’s a natural instinct—to optimize every variable you can.

Embryos ready or in progress? We can help you get started with your surrogacy journey. Get started now.

In this guide, we’ll break down what the research says about nutrition and embryo development, explore the emotional weight of “optimizing everything,” and show how American Surrogacy can help you take the next step.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical or nutritional advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, such as a registered dietitian or fertility specialist, before making dietary changes related to IVF or fertility treatment.

Does the Paleo Diet for IVF Improve Embryo Quality for Surrogacy?

If you’re creating embryos for surrogacy, you’re probably looking at every possible way to improve success—including what you eat. The paleo diet for IVF is often promoted as a way to support egg quality and reduce inflammation before retrieval.

While evidence is mixed, there’s logic behind the approach: nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods may help create a healthier environment for eggs and embryo development.

Just know that no diet is a silver bullet—but your efforts to optimize do matter.

And when your embryos are ready, you don’t have to figure out the next step alone.

Learn more about how you can prepare for your egg retrieval and ensure the best chances of success for your IVF and surrogacy journey.

What is the Paleo Diet for IVF?

The Paleo diet gets its name for aiming to mimic Paleolithic ancestors eating habits. The diet consists of consuming foods like:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Lean meats
• Fish
• Eggs
• Nuts, and seeds

The goal of the paleo diet is to remove the consumption of processed foods, grains, legumes and dairy products.

What the Research Really Says About the Paleo Diet and Embryo Quality

If you’re considering the paleo diet for IVF as part of your surrogacy plan, it’s important to separate hype from evidence.

While clean eating can support general fertility health, there’s limited research tying paleo specifically to better embryo outcomes.

That said, diets rich in antioxidants, healthy fats and low-glycemic foods may contribute to egg quality and embryo development, especially for older intended mothers or those with hormonal imbalances.

Nutrition is one part of a bigger picture. The right surrogacy team ensures your embryos have the best possible chance—from lab to life.

Pros and Cons of the Paleo Diet

Like most diets, there are several benefits to choosing the Paleo diet for IVF, but there are also some concerns.

Pros of the Paleo Diet for IVF

• Improved blood sugars: The limitation of carbohydrates and refined sugars creates improved blood sugar control, this is essential for healthy ovulation and implantation.
• Weight management: Keeping and managing a healthy weight is a key component to overall health. This correlates to a positive impact on fertility.
• Inflammation reduction: The focus on lean proteins and healthy fats helps limit inflammation. Systemic inflammation is linked to being problematic during IVF, as it has negative impacts on the uterus, cervix, and placenta. Limiting these risks improves fertility success rates.

Cons of the Paleo Diet for IVF

• Nutrient deficiencies: Because of the limitations on what you should consume, such as cutting out dairy completely, there can be calcium, vitamin D, fiber, and other vitamin deficiencies.
• Saturated fat intake: With such a high intake of saturated fat, this can negatively impact heart function, blood flow/circulation, which has direct ties to negatively impacting fertility.
• Limited fiber: When you eliminate foods like grains and legumes, you are limiting your fiber intake. This can potentially cause gut health and other digestive problems.
• Cost: Whole foods are proven to be more expensive than processed foods. Budgeting for groceries can become a challenge with ever changing prices.

Why Surrogacy Is a Powerful Step for Parents Creating Embryos

If you’re exploring the paleo diet for IVF as you create embryos or you already have embryos from previous IVF attempts, you’re doing everything you can to support this process.

That same intention and care is what makes surrogacy such a strong next step. You can still use your own eggs and embryos—but give them the best chance to thrive in a healthy, well-supported surrogate.

With professional guidance, emotional support and a legally protected process, American Surrogacy helps you move forward with clarity and confidence.

When Traditional IVF Isn’t Working: The Mental Toll of Trying Everything

Following the paleo diet for IVF, or any strict fertility regimen, can offer a sense of control. But over time, the pressure to “optimize everything” can lead to diet fatigue, guilt and emotional burnout.

When you’ve endured failed transfers, poor embryo quality or a uterus that just won’t respond despite doing everything right, it’s normal to feel defeated.

Here’s the truth: this isn’t the end of your journey, just a turning point. Surrogacy offers a new way forward. Your embryos can still be used, but carried by ascreened surrogate in a healthy, supportive environment.

If cycles have failed or your doctor recommends a different approach, explore how surrogacy could be your next empowering step. Talk to a surrogacy specialist.

How to Know If You’re Ready for Surrogacy

You may already be preparing your body with the paleo diet for IVF, freezing embryos or scheduling retrievals. But when it comes to moving forward with surrogacy, how do you know you’re truly ready?

Ask yourself:

• Do you feel confident in your embryo quality or fertility plan?
• Are you focused on outcomes over carrying the pregnancy yourself?
• Are you emotionally ready to trust someone else with this part of your journey?             
• Do you want expert help coordinating the legal, medical, and emotional side of this process?

If your answer is “yes” to any of these, then you may be more ready than you think. And we’re here to walk with you, every step of the way.

Your Next Steps

Whether you’re just beginning to explore surrogacy or you’re ready to match with a carrier for your embryos, we’re here. Trusted by hundreds of families, American Surrogacy offers:

• Personalized matching based on your needs
• Legal and emotional support throughout the journey
• A proven, compassionate team by your side

 Let’s build your family together. Fill out our form for a free consultation.