Although donating eggs can help someone else fulfill their dream of having a baby, it’s a very personal decision that should not be taken lightly. There are many things to consider before making the decision to donate, such as the time commitment, the physical and emotional risks, and the potential financial compensation.
As such, before you decide to sign up to become an egg donor, you should carefully consider the pros and cons to determine if becoming an egg donor is right for you.
How does egg donation work?
As complex as egg donation may appear to be, the actual process itself only consists of a few steps.
However, to become an egg donor, you’ll also need to take steps prior to and following the egg retrieval process. With that in mind, the following are the three basic steps of the egg donation process:
- Donor screening and selection: During this step, potential donors undergo a series of physical and psychological evaluations to ensure they are physically and emotionally fit to donate eggs.
- Egg retrieval: Once a donor is selected, she is given medications (administered via injection) to help stimulate her ovaries and trigger ovulation. The eggs are then retrieved through a minor surgical procedure.
- Post-donation follow-up: After the egg donation process is complete, donors are asked to return for a few follow-up appointments to ensure they are recovering well from the retrieval procedure.
The pros of being an egg donor
There are many potential benefits of being an egg donor, both for the recipient and for the donor. Some of the most notable advantages include the following:
Help To Build Families
One of the primary reasons that women choose to become egg donors is because they want to help build families. For individuals and couples who are struggling with infertility, egg donation provides them with the opportunity to create a family and have a child that is genetically related to one or both parents.
Additionally, egg donation can also provide a way for same-sex couples who want to have a child that is genetically related to at least one parent.
Egg donation can also provide families with the opportunity to have a child that looks like them. For couples who are struggling with infertility, this can be an important factor in their decision to use egg donation. Additionally, for couples who have a genetic disorder that they do not want to pass on to their child, egg donation provides them with the opportunity to have a baby.
Receive Thorough Fertility Screening
Another benefit of becoming an egg donor is that you will receive an update on your own fertility. Prior to becoming an egg donor, you will be required to undergo a series of physical and psychological evaluations. These evaluations are important in order to ensure that you are physically and emotionally fit to donate eggs and they can provide insights into your own health.
As a result, you’ll get tested for infectious diseases, reproductive health, genetic mutations, and personal wellness as part of the screening process – all valuable information about your own health and none of which you’ll be required to pay for.
Getting Financial Benefits
In addition to receiving insights into your own health, you also are paid for your donation. While the amount of money you can receive will vary depending on the fertility clinic or agency you work with, you can typically expect to receive several thousand dollars per donation cycle.
Compensation Range
At KindEos, we offer $8,000 compensation to first-time donors. For every subsequent donation that you make (donors can make up to six egg donations in their lifetime), we increase compensation by an additional $500.
Duration Of Payment
It generally takes around one to two months to complete the egg donation process. You can expect payment within 30 days of the completion of the egg retrieval process.
Duration Of Payment
It generally takes around one to two months to complete the egg donation process. You can expect payment within 30 days of the completion of the egg retrieval process.
Frequency Of Donation
Egg donors can undergo up to six donation cycles in their lifetime. This means that you can make $55,500 in total if you donate six times. However, you’ll typically have to wait three months between donation cycles to give your body time to recover.
On the other hand, you won’t have to wait to be matched up with a recipient as your eggs can be frozen and stored for future use through the vitrification process, known as “cycle for frozen.
Gain Insight Into Your Fertility
Another benefit of becoming an egg donor is that you’ll gain insight into your own fertility. As part of the screening process, you’ll undergo a series of tests that will help to assess your reproductive health. These tests can provide you with valuable information about your fertility and may help you to make informed decisions about your reproductive future.
Required Pre-Screen Tests
A variety of pre-screen tests are required to determine the donor’s fertility. These tests include physical exams, blood tests, genetic screening panes, and a transvaginal ultrasound.
At KindEos, we also test for AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) levels as part of our screening process. AMH levels can give us an indication of a woman’s ovarian reserve, which is the number of eggs remaining in her ovaries. This information can be helpful in predicting a woman’s future fertility.
What You’ll Learn From The Pre-Screen Tests
The pre-screen tests will provide you with valuable information about your fertility. For example, you’ll learn about your reproductive health and your risk of hereditary diseases.
This information can be valuable even if you decide not to donate your eggs because it can give you insight into your own fertility and help you make informed decisions about your reproductive health in the future. You may even decide to freeze your own eggs in case you want a child in the future.
The cons of being an egg donor
Despite the fact that there are many benefits to becoming an egg donor, there are a few potential drawbacks that you should be aware of as well. Potential drawbacks include the following:
Potential Psychological Effects
One of the potential drawbacks of becoming an egg donor is the psychological effects that it may have. While most women report feeling positive about their decision to donate eggs, some women may experience negative psychological effects, such as anxiety, guilt, or regret.
It’s important to consider the realities of donation before you make the decision to become an egg donor. Proper education and counseling about the potential short-term and long-term implications are crucial to an informed and empowered experience.
Our team as well as the licensed attorney and mental health counselors our donors work with are all here to make certain that donors are fully aware of all donation implications.
Possible Physiological Changes And Complications
There are also a few potential physiological changes and complications that may occur as a result of egg donation. These complications are usually temporary.
For example, the ovaries may become slightly enlarged as a result of the egg retrieval process, although they will generally return to normal after a few weeks. In rare cases, women may also experience minor discomfort, nausea, or vomiting due to the medication that’s administered. However, these usually resolve once the egg donation is complete.
It’s also worth mentioning that there are a lot of misconceptions concerning the egg donation process. The following are a few questions you may have about some of the risks you may have heard about:
Can Donating Eggs Cause Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome?
Rarely. There is a very small risk (less than 1%) of more serious complications, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS occurs when the ovaries become overstimulated and mature too many eggs. This can lead to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen and chest, which can be painful and uncomfortable, and in some cases requires hospitalization.
Can Donating Eggs Cause Early Onset Menopause?
No. One complication that won’t occur (despite the common misconception that it does) is early onset menopause. Menopause occurs when the menstrual cycle stops as a result of the natural depletion of a woman’s eggs.
“Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycle. It’s diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause usually occurs in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States. Menopause is a natural biological process.”
(Source) Donating eggs will in no way cause early onset menopause.
Can Egg Donation Cause Cancer?
No. There is a common misconception that the egg donation process could increase the risk of cancer. However, countless studies have been done to determine if such risk exists. No studies have found a link between egg donation and cancer. As such, there is no significant risk of developing cancer as a result of the hormone medication involved in the egg donation process.
Time And Effort Involved
Another potential “drawback” of becoming an egg donor is the time and effort that is involved. The screening process alone can take several weeks to complete. In all, you can expect the process to take between one and two months, during which time you’ll have to go in for screenings, evaluations, hormone injections, check-ups, and, finally, the egg retrieval process.
Fortunately, at KindEos, our donors do not have to wait to be matched with a recipient, our process is usually very predictable from start to end and donors who are accepted can move on to donation and payment.
Donating eggs is a fulfilling experience
Despite the potential drawbacks, donating eggs is a fulfilling experience that can have a positive impact on your life.
If you’re considering becoming an egg donor, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully and to make sure that you’re fully prepared for the commitment. However, if you decide that donating eggs is right for you, you can be confident that you’re making a decision that will positively impact the lives of others.
Deciding to become an egg donor requires careful consideration. KindEos provides a team of experts to guide you through the process.
