Egg donation is a wonderful way to help someone who wants to have children. It is a sensitive and personal decision, but it can also be an exciting and rewarding experience. If you are thinking about helping another family there are some important frequently asked questions, like how old do you have to be to donate eggs? Here’s what you need to know about egg donor requirements.
Based on the reproductive specialists with whom we work closely, donors need to be women between the ages of 21 and 28. As long as you’re within the age guidelines, we welcome donors whether or not you have children of your own.
Who Can Become an Egg Donor
At Gifted Journeys, there are Basic Criteria for Prospective Egg Donors
- Healthy with a good family health history (including mental health)
- Healthy BMI (overweight or underweight applicants will not be accepted by the doctor’s office)
- Between the ages of 21 – 28
- Not currently breastfeeding, on the Depo-Provera shot, IUD, or any implant-based birth control method
- You may be qualified to donate after discontinuing the use of these methods for approximately three months
- No smoking, drugs, or excessive alcohol use (all donors are tested)
A typical egg donor program requires that a woman must have a clear medical history of genetic diseases in her family. The risk involved in donating eggs is very low and the process is relatively simple and safe with proper care from a doctor. Donors are carefully screened by reproductive medicine specialists to ensure their health and genetic history follow medical guidelines.
What Is the Egg Donation Process
The first step in the egg donation process is to go through a detailed initial screening process to determine if you are eligible as a donor. Once the screening process is completed, the potential donors must receive fertility medications to stimulate their ovaries in order to produce multiple eggs for donation. Most egg donation cycles span approximately six to 12 weeks and egg retrieval is a 100% outpatient procedure.
Why Do We Need Egg Donors?
The easiest answer is that donating eggs is a pretty selfless gift for families who are reproductively challenged. While there are a wide variety of reasons recipients need donors, the two most common donor egg recipients are a woman that is unable to use her own eggs, and gay intended fathers creating embryos using donor eggs. Donors give intended families and hopeful parents the best chance at making their dreams come true.
Will egg donation affect my future fertility?
If you are considering egg donation and are wondering whether the process will affect your own future fertility, thankfully no. Current research suggests that egg donation does not have any long-term effects on fertility. We do suggest all donors read the New York Department of Health information on becoming a donor (http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/1127/)
Will I experience side effects with the egg donation medication?Most donors experience minimal side effects with the medications used during the process. The most common side effects mirror PMS symptoms, such as bloating, pelvic discomfort, water weight gain, or minor mood swings. Less common side effects would include headaches, severe cramping, and feeling overly tired.
What Happens to the Donated Eggs
When you decide to donate your eggs, what happens then? Whether you want to learn more about the medical process or are interested in learning your options regarding the children born from your eggs, we invite you to speak with our staff or Parents Via Egg Donation (www.pved.org) to learn more about why mental health professionals are encouraging donors and their intended parents to have a more open relationship with one another.
How much do egg donors get paid?
Egg donors generally get paid between $8,000-$15,000+. In the U.S., egg donors are paid for their time, efforts, discomfort, and assumption of risk; not the eggs themselves. Therefore, our donor fees increase with each subsequent cycle, as the assumption of risk is presumed to increase as well.
Are You Ready to Become an Egg Donor?
You can read through our website if you want to learn more and find out about egg donation support. Egg donation can help others and make a difference in someone’s life. If you want to help someone else have children, this process may be for you!!