There are many reasons why someone might choose to become an egg donor. The primary reason most women decide to donate their eggs is to help childless couples start a family. To have such a meaningful impact on somebody’s life can be incredibly fulfilling.
However, if you are planning to become an egg donor, one of the things that you may be concerned about is the potential health risks of doing so. Although egg donation is about as safe as a medical procedure can be, it’s vital that you understand the potential short-term and long-term risks of becoming an egg donor, no matter how rare those risks are.
After all, you should be able to make an informed decision when it comes to matters as personal as egg donation.
Why is egg donation considered risky?
At KindEos, we follow the strict FDA guidelines to ensure the health and safety of our egg donors. However, egg donation doesn’t come without risk. There are some potential side effects that can occur as a result of the egg retrieval process.
The most common risks associated with egg donation are those related to the use of medications and hormones during the egg production cycle.
Hormones are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. These drugs can cause side effects such as hot flashes, mood swings, and headaches. The egg retrieval process itself is also a minor surgical procedure.
Injection side effects and risks
Several follicle stimulating hormone injections will be self-administered during the egg donation preparation phase. This process involves stimulating the ovaries using fertility drugs to increase the production of eggs.
Most of these medications are injected under the skin in the front of the belly and the final “trigger shot” is injected into muscle. The injection itself can cause non-serious side effects, including:
- Pain: Some discomfort is normal when receiving an injection. Some people may even experience soreness for a day or so. However, if the pain persists or becomes severe, it could be a sign of a more serious condition at the injection site.
- Redness: The skin around the injection site may become red and/or swollen. Redness is common and should resolve within a day or two.
- Minor bruising: You may see some bruising around the injection site. This is also normal and should resolve within a few days. Bruising usually occurs because the needle has impacted a small blood vessel.
- Allergic reactions: Some people will have an allergic reaction to the needle as a result of having sensitive skin. If this is the case, you may experience itching or swelling near the site of the injection.
Medication side effects and risks
In addition to responses caused by the injection itself, the fertility medications can cause some side effects as well.
With that in mind, the following are some of the known side effects and health risks associated with medications that increase egg production:
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): This condition occurs when the ovaries are overstimulated and produce too many eggs. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, bloating, and pain in the lower abdomen. In severe cases, it can lead to dehydration and kidney failure.
- PMS-like symptoms: Some of the drugs used to stimulate egg production can cause symptoms that are similar to those experienced during premenstrual syndrome (PMS). These symptoms include mood swings, bloating, and headaches.
- Bloating: Many of the drugs used to stimulate egg production can cause bloating. This side effect is usually temporary and often resolves once you stop taking the medication.
- Sore breasts: The hormones used to stimulate egg production can also cause breast tenderness or soreness.
- Headaches: The use of fertility drugs can also cause headaches. If you experience headaches that are severe or persist for more than a few days, you should consult with your doctor.
- Moodiness: Fertility drugs can also cause mood swings and irritability.
- Slight weight gain: You may also experience a slight weight gain as a result of the fertility drugs.
Procedural side effects and risks
Once the fertility medications have been administered, the next step is the egg retrieval procedure. This is a surgical procedure that takes place under general anesthesia. As with any surgery, there are certain risks involved.
The following are the potential side effects involved with the egg retrieval procedure which are extremely rare:
- Infection: There is also a small risk of developing an infection with the egg retrieval procedure. If you develop a fever or notice any redness, swelling, or discharge from your incision site, you should contact your doctor immediately.
- Sedation reaction: Some people may experience reactions to the sedatives used during the egg retrieval procedure. These reactions can include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
The Research Into The Long-Term Side Effects Is Ongoing
While the short-term side effects and risks of egg donation and fertility drugs are well-known, the long-term effects are not as well researched as we would like them to be. This is because egg donation is a relatively new procedure and the long-term effects have not been studied extensively.
As a result, there is still much we don’t know about the potential long-term risks of egg donation.
One of the biggest concerns that donors (and the public) have in general is the increased risk of cancer that might be associated with the egg donation process. However, studies currently show that there is NO link between breast and ovarian cancer and fertility medicines.
This is why we always encourage potential egg donors to do their own research, ask lots of questions, and speak to a doctor or specialist so that they feel comfortable with their decision.
The psychological and mental health impact of egg donation
The egg donation process can be a very emotionally and psychologically demanding experience. It’s not uncommon for egg donors to feel a range of emotions, including happiness, anxiety, hesitation, or sadness. As such, there’s always a risk of experiencing psychological and mental health side effects following the procedure.
It’s important to remember that egg donation is a very personal decision, and there is no “right” or “wrong” way to feel about it. If you’re considering egg donation, it’s important to do your research and make sure you understand all of the potential risks and side effects before making a decision.
It’s important to remember that egg donation is a very personal decision, and there is no “right” or “wrong” way to feel about it. If you’re considering egg donation, it’s important to do your research and make sure you understand all of the potential risks and side effects before making a decision.
Debunking myths: egg donation health risks
As with any medical procedure, there are certain risks involved with egg donation. However, there are also a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding egg donation and its potential long-term risks.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common egg donation myths and dispel them once and for all:
- Myth 1 – Infertility: One of the most common myths about egg donation is that it will cause infertility. This is simply not true. There is no evidence to suggest that egg donation increases the risk of infertility.
Egg donors are carefully screened to ensure that they are healthy and have no prior history of fertility problems. In fact, many egg donors go on to have healthy children of their own. - Myth 2 – Early menopause: Another common myth is that egg donation leads to early menopause. However, there is no evidence to support this. Menopause is a natural process that occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs, and is determined by age and genetics.
- Myth 3 – Breast and ovarian cancer: There is also a lot of misinformation surrounding the link between egg donation and breast and ovarian cancer. However, there is no evidence to suggest that egg donation increases the risk of either cancer.
How to avoid the risks
The best way to avoid or prevent the risks associated with egg donation is to be fully informed about the process and follow medical advice.
This means doing your research, talking to your doctor, and making sure you understand all of the potential risks and side effects before making a decision then listening to the direction given to you by your nurse and other healthcare providers.
The following are a few tips to help you understand and mitigate any potential health risks throughout each stage of the egg donation process:
The Screening Stage:
Once you’ve decided that you want to become an egg donor, you’ll have to go through a thorough screening process. During this process, egg donors are typically screened for genetic diseases, infectious diseases, and general health issues. The screening process is designed to protect both the egg donor and the recipient.
Identify Any Health Risks
As part of the screening process, egg donors will also be asked questions about their medical history and family history. It’s important to be honest and upfront about any medical conditions, genetic diseases, or even substance abuse issues that run in your family. This information will help the doctor determine if there are any potential risks of complications.
You’ll also be tested during the screen process to make sure you’re physically and psychologically healthy for the egg donation. This usually includes a complete physical exam, as well as blood tests and genetic testing. As a result, the doctor should be able to identify any health issues that could put you at risk during the egg donor process.
Follow The Doctor’s Orders
Once the screening has been completed and you’ve been cleared to donate, it’s important to follow all of the doctor’s orders. This includes taking any medication prescribed and getting regular checkups. Finally, you’ll also be instructed to abstain from sexual activity to ensure both your health and the health of your eggs.
During The Injection Phase
As long as you are screened properly and you follow your doctor’s instructions, you should be able to go through the egg donation process with minimal risks to your health. However, you should continue to take every precaution to mitigate against possible issues and preserve your health by doing the following:
Monitoring
Egg donors are typically monitored very closely throughout the egg donation process. This may include regular ultrasounds and blood tests to check on the development of your eggs and to make sure the medications are working properly. It’s important to be open to this monitoring, as it can help identify any potential health issues early on.
Post Procedure Stage
Even after you’ve donated your eggs, it’s important to stay in contact with your doctor. This way, if any health concerns or issues arise, they can be addressed right away. Additionally, it’s important to let the doctor know if you’re experiencing any pain, discomfort, or side effects from taking the medications or from the egg retrieval process.
Donating your eggs is heavily regulated – we take your safety seriously
Egg donation is heavily regulated in the United States. All egg donation clinics must be registered with the FDA and follow strict ASRM guidelines. Additionally, egg donors must be between the ages of 21 and 31 and they must undergo a thorough screening process.
At KindEos Conception, we take the safety of our egg donors very seriously. We follow all FDA guidelines and we have a highly experienced medical team that will closely monitor you throughout the egg donation process.
We understand that egg donation can be a big commitment, and we will do everything we can to help you take care of your health during the process.
