FAQs

What are the reasons for using gender selection?

There is a rapidly increasing demand for gender (sex) selection in the U.S. In principle, two reasons can be found for this development.  As our understanding of genetic diseases increases, and with it our ability to diagnose couples at risk to have children affected by genetic diseases, we more frequently use the tool of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to genetically assess embryos prior to their implantation into the uterus. Some genetic diseases are only expressed in males, and parents sometimes make a conscious decision to have only female children. Others do it simply because they already have multiple children of one gender and would like a child of the opposite gender. The latter is called gender selection for family balancing.

How does the gender selection process work?

It depends on what method you use for gender selection. Please refer to respective pages for details of the two reliable methods, IVF + PGD, and MicroSort^®.

How is gender determined?

The sex of a baby is determined at the moment of fertilization by the chromosomes present in the egg and sperm. Human beings have two “sex” chromosomes: X chromosome and Y chromosome. Female eggs always contain X chromosomes, while male sperm contains either an X chromosome or a Y chromosome. An embryo is female if an X-bearing sperm fertilizes the egg, resulting in an XX embryo. A male will result if a Y-bearing sperm fertilizes the egg, resulting in an XY embryo.

How do I know if I qualify for gender selection program?

When gender selection is used to prevent a genetic disease, its indication is considered medical. You qualify for gender selection if you are interested in it for medical or medical/social reasons. In contrast, if the decision to choose a child’s gender is done for family balancing purposes only, then the process is considered “elective.” To qualify for elective gender selection at Gender Selection Center/Center for Human Reproduction, you must already have at least one child.

Are there any guarantees that it will work?

As is always the case in medicine, there are no absolute guarantees for gender selection, but we do know that PDG maintains the highest success rate at almost 100% accuracy.

What options are available for gender selection?

You should know that there are only two reliable techniques available to affect the gender of your children. They are In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) with the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and sperm sorting for X- (female) or Y- (male). Many charlatans claim to sort sperm for gender selection, but the only one sperm sorting technique that seems to work is still under FDA review after its clinical trial was completed. Called MicroSort^®, it was developed by the Genetics and IVF Institute in Fairfax, Virginia.

What exactly is MicroSort^®?

MicroSort® is used before conception to separate sperm into those that either primarily produce girls or those that primarily produce boys. For most couples, the sorted sperm sample is then used with simple intrauterine insemination (IUI) to achieve pregnancy. For couples with infertility issues, MicroSort® can be used with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to increase the pregnancy chances. So far, published data suggests that this technique is safe and does not increase the risks for birth defects or other adverse outcomes in newborn. These data are, however, still preliminary, and the method is currently not available until FDA approves its routine clinical use for elective gender selection.

What is exactly is PGD?

Gender selection by PGD, or Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, involves the genetic investigation of early-stage embryos that have been produced through in vitro fertilization (IVF). PGD allows us to determine the sex of any given embryo (female or male) and the chromosomal make-up (whether the embryo is chromosomally normal or, for example, has Down syndrome). In more complicated testing procedures, it is possible to find out if embryos are affected by such diseases as Tay-Sachs disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell disease, Huntington’s disease, and many other genetically inherited diseases. PGD is also used in gender selection for non-medical family balancing. In contrast to other available gender selection techniques, which are mostly based on sperm sorting (X-carrying sperm vs. Y-carrying sperm), PGD is almost 100% accurate.

What exactly is IVF?

In IVF, or in vitro fertilization, eggs are obtained from the woman through egg retrieval after her ovaries have been stimulated with fertility drugs. While the patient is sedated, a needle is inserted into the ovaries under ultrasound control, and eggs are aspirated. These eggs are then fertilized in the laboratory with her partner’s sperm and the ensuing embryos are watched for three to five days as they develop. On the third day, when the better embryos have reached eight-cell stage, most patients undergo an embryo transfer. With a tiny catheter, usually imperceptible to the patient, embryos are placed into the uterine cavity. A pregnancy test (hCG) is administered approximately ten days later to determine if our patient has become pregnant.

Will freezing damage sperm?

Frozen sperm has been used successfully for insemination and pregnancy for many years. Cryoprotectants are normally added to the semen sample to protect the cells during the freezing process; however, freezing and thawing does reduce the number of viable sperm cells available for insemination.

Do the Do-It-Yourself Sex Selection Kits really work?

There is no scientific evidence that supports the effectiveness of home kits.

What if I live outside the United States?

No matter where you live in the world, we can assist you with your gender selection needs. Gender Selection Center’s physicians and clinical staff have worked with many patients from all over the world, and have developed a method to reduce patients’ need to travel to New York City, while ensuring proper treatment and accurate communication.

When can I get started?

If you are currently pregnant, you will need to wait at least three months (preferably six months) after your delivery to begin our gender selection process. Otherwise, there is no waiting list at our center. You can start right away. The first step is easy and can be completed now; simply complete the Gender Selection E-Mail Consultation Form to determine if you qualify for Gender Selection.

* CAUTION: Investigational device. Limited by federal (or United States) law to investigational use.