What's the process for egg donation and is it safe?

Dear Reader and Laying Golden Eggs,  

Egg donation can be a very rewarding process, but there are factors to consider before jumping in. If you choose to donate, you’ll first undergo physical and mental health screenings. If everything looks okay, you’ll then begin taking a course of hormones that will stimulate your body to produce more eggs. These eggs are later removed from the body during a surgical procedure. In the United States, there aren’t many legal guidelines for egg donation. This means your experience and compensation may vary depending on the hospital or organization you’re working with. Read on to learn some egg-stra information about egg donation!  

What is the process for donating eggs?  

To confirm that you’re a good candidate for egg donation, you’ll be screened for your physical and mental health. For example, the clinic may ask about you or your family’s medical history, conduct a physical exam, test for infectious diseases, and conduct genetic testing.  

They’ll also want to get an idea of your motivation for donation. Many people are enticed by advertisements that emphasize high compensation. However, clinics may not select candidates who seem too motivated by financial incentives.  

If you’re cleared to donate, the clinic should provide information about the donation process. In most cases, the cost of your treatment will be fully covered by the recipient. The process of retrieving eggs starts by giving yourself hormone injections several times a day for about 9 to 14 days. These hormones stimulate your ovaries to enlarge and develop several eggs. The eggs are retrieved during a surgical procedure which is performed under general anesthesia. You’ll likely have to take time off from work or school for the procedure and recovery period. Since you’ll be sedated, it isn’t common for the procedure to be painful. You should be feeling back to normal after a few days. 

What are the potential benefits and risks of egg donation?  

Many people find egg donation to be rewarding. However, there are some factors to consider before deciding whether to go forward with the process. The daily hormonal injections lead your body to produce high levels of estrogen, which can lead to: 

• Short-term side effects: Some people experience bloating, nausea, pelvic pain, and fluid retention.  
• Lifestyle effects: You’ll be expected to make some changes to your lifestyle to improve egg quality and minimize physical health risks, such as reducing high-intensity physical activity while taking the hormones. 
• Severe reaction to fertility medication: In rare cases, the hormonal treatments can lead to Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).  Symptoms of OHSS can range from mild (such as abdominal discomfort or bloating) to severe (such as excessive weight gain, blood clots, and difficulty breathing). Most mild cases go away on their own. However, consider reaching out to a health care professional if your symptoms are more severe or impacting your daily life.  

How does donating eggs affect long-term fertility?  

Currently there’s no research indicating there are long-term fertility risks to donating eggs. Every month your ovary releases several eggs, but only one matures and ovulates. The remaining eggs naturally degenerate. The procedure doesn’t reduce the number of eggs available for future pregnancy after the procedure. 

How do you know if egg donation is right for you?  

Before deciding to donate your eggs, it might be helpful to think through the short- and long-term implications of egg donation. Meeting with a counselor can help you consider how the choice to donate might impact your life, so you can make a fully informed decision. For example, a counselor can help you work through feelings about future contact with your genetic offspring. They can also help you consider whether you want to limit the number of families that your eggs are shared with.  

With the rising popularity of at-home DNA tests, fully anonymous donations are more challenging. Even if you choose to do an anonymous donation, there is a chance that your future donor offspring or the family members can contact you down the line. Some people feel very comfortable about this possibility, while others aren’t as comfortable with it.  

How can you find a hospital or agency to donate your eggs?  

When choosing to go through egg donation, you can work with a hospital, a small fertility clinic, or an egg bank. You might find it helpful to reach out to several clinics before making your final decision. Each clinic will provide different support, information, and compensation for donors. Unfortunately, organizations may overstate financial benefits and minimize potential health risks in their advertising. When deciding on an organization to work with, some questions you might consider include:  

• Do they provide counseling or support groups to donors and donor candidates?  
• Do they provide information on when and how you can rescind your decision?  
• Do they allow you to know the number and sex of the children from your donation?  
• Do they allow you to set conditions on your donation? For example, are you allowed to limit the number of families that receive your donation?  
• What is their approach to hormonal treatments? 

Readers, egg donation may be an egg-cellent choice for you. However, if you begin working with a clinic but feel unsatisfied with the information or treatment you’re receiving, consider seeking a second opinion.