Who can become an egg donor?

Eligible donors are typically:

• Between the ages of 21–30

• In good physical and emotional health

• Non-smokers, drug-free, with a regular menstrual cycle

• Able to commit to screening and donation appointments

• Have no significant family history of genetic conditions

Will donating eggs affect my fertility?

No. Donating eggs does not reduce your fertility or prevent you from having children later. Women are born with thousands of eggs, and the ones retrieved are eggs that your body would normally release or discard during a cycle

Who receives donor eggs?

Couples generally choose this option because they're unable to conceive with the eggs of the partner who will carry the child. Women may be unable to conceive with their own eggs for many reasons, such as being older, having experienced early menopause, having poor-quality eggs or having a history of cancer treatments that damaged their ovaries. Egg recipients have often gone through extensive fertility treatments without success. Egg recipients can be couples, single women or single men (using a surrogate).

What's involved in the screening process?

You will complete a detailed questionnaire on your background and medical, family and personal history. After our staff reviews it and you meet our criteria, we will call you to arrange a screening lab test to measure your ovarian/egg reserve. If this is shows promising results a consult with our Donor Egg Coordinator will be scheduled to review the process. A cycle day 3 transvaginal ultrasound to assess your ovaries further will be needed, as well as screening appointments with a psychologist and genetic counselor. The last step in the screening process includes a physical exam and FDA regulated laboratory tests.

Will I be anonymous?

Yes, donations are anonymous. However with the advancement of DNA testing resources, and other potential medical advancements. There is no telling where technology will take us in the next few decades, so it is important for donors and patients to consider this before they commit.

Can I donate more than once?

Yes! Many donors choose to donate multiple times, up to the safe limit recommended by ASRM (usually up to 6 cycles).

What factors do intended parents consider when selecting an egg donor?

What are the risks associated with donor egg IVF?

There are several risks and side effects that may be associated with providing Donor eggs:

• Blood drawing - mild discomfort and some risk of developing a bruise at the needle site.

• Fertility Drugs - moderate weight gain, mood changes, stomach pressure, headaches, allergic reaction, Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) of the ovaries (5% chance in any cycle). In very rare cases, hyperstimulation could lead to enlarged ovaries and an increased susceptibility to develop blood clots necessitating hospitalization. In very rare cases it may also lead to the development of fluid in the abdomen or lungs, kidney failure, or stroke. In extremely rare cases, an enlarged hyperstimulated ovary will rupture. This may necessitate general anesthesia and major surgery, with all the inherited risks. Loss of one or both ovaries is possible. The risk of hyperstimulation is minimized if the follicles are aspirated as is planned to occur at the Donor egg retrieval. The risk increases if, after taking the fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries, you choose not to undergo the egg retrieval. There also exists an unlikely possibility of a lasting effect on your pelvic organs, including pain, irregular menstrual function, or impairment of future fertility. Finally, an association between fertility drugs and ovarian cancer has been suggested but not proven.

• Ultrasound guided egg retrieval - mild to moderate discomfort after the procedure. Potentially serious complications include bleeding, infection, and injury to the bowel or blood vessels. In extremely rare circumstances, surgery may be necessary to repair damage to internal organs or to control significant internal bleeding (i.e., hemorrhage). Anesthesia will be necessary for the egg retrieval. (The risks associated with anesthesia will be explained during a consultation with an anesthesiologist.) There may be additional risks of donating eggs, which at the present time have not yet been identified. Since it is theoretically possible that not all of the developed eggs will be recovered at the time of retrieval, there is a risk that you may become pregnant if you engage in unprotected intercourse during the egg donation cycle(s).

• Ultrasound examinations - no known risks, minimal discomfort.

• Torsion - twisting of an enlarged ovary resulting in sudden onset of severe abdominal pain. Onset during exercise or other agitating movement is common.

• Psychological Distress - sometimes associated with assisted reproductive technology procedures.

• Inconvenience - monitoring procedures during the period of stimulation, and the time needed to perform the egg retrieval itself will result in a certain amount of inconvenience and lost time. 
  
  
  
  

Can I donate more than once?

Yes! Many donors choose to donate multiple times, up to the safe limit recommended by ASRM (usually up to 6 cycles).

Will I need to take time off work or school?

You’ll need to attend multiple appointments for monitoring and one day off for the egg retrieval. Many donors are able to manage these appointments with minimal disruption to their schedules.

Do I have any legal or parental rights to children born from my eggs?

No. You will sign legal documents waiving any parental rights or responsibilities. The intended parents are the legal parents of any resulting child.

Can I donate if I’m on birth control?

Yes, but certain forms (like the Depo shot or hormonal IUD) may need to be stopped temporarily. Most programs prefer donors on the pill, patch, or ring because it’s easier to schedule cycles.

What happens if I change my mind?

You can withdraw at any time before starting hormone medications. Once the cycle begins, it's important to commit fully for medical and ethical reasons, as it affects the intended parents' plans.

Will I be able to have kids after donating?

Yes. Egg donation does not reduce your chances of having biological children later. Many donors go on to conceive naturally without issue.

Will I see how many eggs were retrieved or if they resulted in a pregnancy?

You’ll usually be told how many eggs were retrieved, but you will not receive updates about fertilization or if the eggs resulted in a pregnancy.

Can I donate if I’ve already had children?

Yes! Many programs actually prefer donors who have proven fertility (have had healthy pregnancies before), though it’s not required.

What happens to unused eggs or embryos?

The intended parents decide. Unused embryos may be frozen, donated to another couple, used for research, or discarded—depending on their prior consent.