Apr 08, 2024
The State of Research on LGBTQ+ Fertility: Trends, Gaps, and Future Directions
- Demian Glujovsky1,2,
- Julieta quaglia1,
- Fiamma Belén Di Biase1,
- Mariana Miguens1,3,
- Romina Pesce4,
- Belen Herrero5,
- Agustín Ciapponi2
- 1Cegyr (Eugin group), Buenos Aires, Argentina;
- 2Argentine Cochrane Centre, Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS), Center for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET);
- 3Dexeus Fertility, Hospital Universitario Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain;
- 4Reproductive Medicine Dept, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina;
- 5Multidisciplinary Serivices, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
Protocol Citation: Demian Glujovsky, Julieta quaglia, Fiamma Belén Di Biase, Mariana Miguens, Romina Pesce, Belen Herrero, Agustín Ciapponi 2024. The State of Research on LGBTQ+ Fertility: Trends, Gaps, and Future Directions. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.yxmvme7dbg3p/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: April 08, 2024
Last Modified: April 08, 2024
Protocol Integer ID: 97912
Abstract
The hypothesis is that in the last decade the trend of published studies about reproductive medicine and/or fertility treatments in LGBTQ+ participants has been increasing. Nevertheless, it is probably a low proportion in comparison with the studies published on heterosexuals. We will perform a scoping review to evaluate it.
Background
Background
Rationale and potential applied impact
The LGBTQ+ community has made significant progress in recent years in terms of visibility and awareness. This has probably contributed to an increase in the number of LGBTQ+ people who are seeking fertility treatments, gaining access to these types of treatments that were not usual in the past. However, there is a low amount of research on the experiences of LGBTQ+ people undergoing fertility treatments, especially in comparison to research performed on heterosexuals.
There are several reasons why research on LGBTQ+ fertility is essential. First, it can help us to better understand the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ people face when trying to start a family. Second, it can help us develop more effective fertility treatments tailored to the needs of LGBTQ+ people. For example, ROPA is a treatment exclusive to female same-sex couples, and gestational surrogacy, although not exclusive, is more frequently used in gay male couples. Third, it can help to raise awareness of the issue of LGBTQ+ fertility and challenge the stigma that often surrounds it.
Although research on LGBTQ+ fertility has increased in the last decade, it is still significantly less than research on heterosexual fertility. This gap in the literature limits our understanding of the challenges and barriers that LGBTQ+ people face when trying to start a family.
Description of the condition (if applicable)
The LGBTQ+ community is a diverse and inclusive group of individuals who identify as homosexual, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual orientations and gender identities. It encompasses a broad spectrum of individuals who share a common experience of non-heterosexual and non-cisgender identities. The community advocates for equal rights, social acceptance, and visibility, promoting understanding and inclusivity for all sexual orientations and gender identities. It fosters a sense of belonging, support, and celebration of diversity within its members while working towards societal change and challenging discrimination and prejudice.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that in the last decade the trend of published studies about reproductive medicine and/or fertility treatments in LGBTQ+ participants has been increasing. Nevertheless, it is probably a low proportion in comparison with the studies published on heterosexuals.
Objectives
Objectives
Primary:
- to describe how many studies were published in peer review journals about reproductive medicine and/or fertility treatments in LGBTQ+ participants in the last 10 years.
Secondary:
- To describe the trend in the publication rate
- To describe the evaluated topics
- To describe who in the LGTBQ+ was more and less represented in the published studies
- To describe in which countries and peer-reviewed journals these studies were published
- To describe the study designs more and less common
Study design
Study design
Scoping review
Study plan
Study plan
- Search strategy
- Screening by Title and Abstract
- Selection by full text
- Data extraction
- Data description and analysis
- Manuscript writing
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria
All the studies published about reproductive medicine in the LGBTQ+ community between 2013 and 2022. We searched PubMed in English, Spanish or Portuguese
Outcomes
Outcomes
Primary: Total number of LGTBQ+ publications and proportion of LGTBQ+ publications / total publications
Secondary: number of LGTBQ+ publications per year; number of LGTBQ+ publications of each topic and the proportion of each topic/total LGTBQ+ publications; number of LGTBQ+ publications in which each member of that community was represented / total LGTBQ+ publications (e.g. % of publication with focus on gays of total LGTBQ+ publications); proportion of first authors countries among all LGTBQ+ publications; proportion of each study design among all LGTBQ+ publications