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Egg Donor FAQs
The process of egg donation is relatively pain free. There are subcutaneous injections (very small needles that only go right under the skin) that you have to administer to yourself in the abdomen or thigh for 2-3 weeks during the cycle. Blood draws are also administered by nursing professionals at each medical appointment. The retrieval process is done under light sedation, therefore the donor is asleep during the retrieval process. The donor may experience mild bloating or cramping for a few days after the retrieval process, but once her menstrual cycle starts the body goes back to its normal routine.
We allow our egg donors to participate in no more than six donation cycles. This is the recommended guideline set forth by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
No, donating eggs does not impact future fertility. The procedure itself doesn’t negatively affect a woman’s ability to conceive later on. Many egg donors are still able to have healthy pregnancies after the donation process, and the number of eggs a woman has is not significantly reduced by donating a few.
- Limited impact on egg supply:
Women are born with a finite number of eggs, but they only release a small number each month. Donating eggs doesn’t deplete the overall supply significantly.
- No effect on hormonal function:
Egg donation does not affect a woman’s menstrual cycle or hormonal function after the donation.
- Low risk of complications:
While there are some side effects associated with egg donation, such as potential for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), these are not considered long-term risks to fertility.
- Research findings:
Research has shown that egg donation does not correlate with infertility or reduced fertility in the future. Studies on egg donors and their ability to conceive naturally later on suggest it does not significantly affect a woman’s ability to conceive.
- Ongoing support for egg donors:Many egg donor programs provide comprehensive support and follow-up care to ensure the well-being of donors, including ongoing medical monitoring and emotional support.
The most common side affects are similar to those experienced during your menstrual cycle. These may include headaches, bloating, mood swings, hot flashes and breast tenderness. The injections (shots) may cause slight redness or irritation at the site.
The Fertility Center providing your care will educate you on how to take the injections. Ovarian Hyper stimulation Syndrome is a more serious side affect that can be associated with the over stimulation of your ovaries by fertility medication.
The risk of the syndrome is very low and the frequent blood draws and vaginal ultrasounds done during the medial appointments will greatly decrease this risk. If this is identified as a problem, the physician providing the care will decrease the medications used or they will stop the cycle.
It is imperative that you administer your medication exactly as instructed by the reproductive physician and that attend all of your scheduled medical appointments.
Egg donors should not engage in sexual intercourse while taking the fertility medication and should not resume sexual activity until they have experienced their first menstrual cycle following the egg retrieval procedure.
Engaging in sexual activity during this time can drastically increase your chances of getting pregnant. You may resume your normal methods of birth control once you have completed a donor cycle.
If you are taking oral contraceptives (birth control) pills each month, you may still donate. You will be asked to stop your pills during the actual donation process. During the time you receive the “stimulating” medications, you should refrain from sexual intercourse. Once you have completed the donation process, you may start back on your monthly pills. It is always recommended to use a barrier contraceptive the first month of starting pills or when restarting them.
• If you are using the “patch”, it is recommended you donate after being off of this for three months.
• If you are using Depo Provera shots, you may donate three months after your LAST injection.
• If you have a Non-Hormonal IUD or Hormonal then you may participate in a donor cycle without having it removed.
• If you are using Depo-Provera or a Norplant device, it is required that you are off of it for at least one year and have had three regular menstrual cycles before participating in an egg donation cycle.