A Discussion on Donating Your Eggs
Egg donations are something I’ve heard thrown around most of my life. Things along the lines of “I don’t want kids, I’m just gonna donate my eggs,” or “if I am ever strapped for cash, I’ll just donate my eggs.” I always found these statements very interesting, as it always sounded like no big deal, when I think it can be considered a moderately-sized deal considering there are so many different factors that go into it. It’s also not the only reason to donate eggs. Some folks with eggs choose to donate because they do not want biological children, and some may even donate because they know that someone else could provide an easier life for the child-to-be from their eggs. With Roe v. Wade being overturned, I would not be surprised if more folks started donating their eggs in order to reduce their fertility. Donating eggs is not just a one-stop shop. You can’t just go into a Planned Parenthood and get your eggs taken out. It is an entire process that involves birth control to synchronize with the person you are donating to, self-performed injections for multiple days, and a surgical procedure with anesthesia. Because there is so much we do not know about egg donating, I have broken down the process, possible compensations, and risks and side effects!
The process has four steps: initial screening at an egg donor clinic, cycle synchronization, retrieval, and post-retrieval. First, the egg donors are matched with parents before starting their cycle. Egg donors are screened at the family’s fertility center. During the fertility screening, the donor’s ovaries are examined for their ability to produce eggs in a pelvic exam and blood test. Additionally, the donor may need to have a vaginal sonogram on the second or third day of menstruation. Medical screening tests for blood type, any infectious diseases, drug use, and general health. Family history is evaluated due to possible genetic diseases or disorders. Examples: cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, etc. There is also a psychological Screening: Donor speaks with a provided psychologist to make sure they understand the benefits and risks of egg donation and has “proper motivations for becoming a donor.”
Then they do cycle synchronization. The donor put on birth control pills to synchronize their cycle with the recipient. After 3rd week of the cycle, the egg donor will have a vaginal sonogram and begin self-injections of “Lupron hormones.” Lupron hormones are administered for 7-14 days. They then self-inject follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) for approximately 8-10 days. Egg donors are monitored daily during the FSH injections to measure follicle growth and health. To measure follicle growth, vaginal sonograms and blood tests are used. An STI screening is given to the egg donor before egg retrieval. When eggs are matured enough for retrieval, HCG is administered, which prepares the donor’s ovaries to release the eggs. Egg retrieval takes around 36 hours. After HCG injection. The donor is given a light IV sedation, under ultrasound guidance, the doctor passes a needle through the vaginal wall and aspirates the follicle fluid which contains the eggs. A short procedure, around 30 min or less. After retrieval, the donor will be monitored for an hour or two before a family member or friend can drive them home. Donors can return to normal routine one day after retrieval, but without any strenuous activity or exercise.
Compensation for egg donations varies from state to state. In Colorado, a first-time egg donor will make around $7,000 and $9,000 for each donation after the first. In New York state, first-time egg donors will receive $8,000 for their initial donation and $10,000 for later donations. Mileage is also reimbursed for local donor cycles, and all travel expenses are paid for out-of-state cycles, including the expenses to bring. All appointments, medications, and medical expenses are paid for by the parents.
The biggest risk is Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome. Though it is mostly rare (1-2% of IVF cases), physicians carefully monitor donors to ensure this does not happen. Symptoms of this syndrome include weight gain and extreme bloating. There is also a risk of infection due to it being a surgical procedure. You may be given antibiotics to prevent infection.
Egg donors may miss a day of work or school. Fertility is not impacted by donating eggs. Fertility drugs can cause moderate weight gain, changes in mood, headaches, stomach pressure, and allergies. Rare cases of hyperstimulation could lead to enlarged ovaries and increased susceptibility to blood clots. Extremely rare cases can involve the development of fluid in the abdomen or lungs, kidney failure, or stroke. There is an unlikely possibility of a lasting effect on your pelvic organs, such as pain, irregular menstruation, or lack of future fertility. An association between fertility drugs and ovarian cancer has been suggested but not proven. Antibiotics can create yeast infections or make you more susceptible to a cold. In rare cases, allergic reactions can happen. No definitive studies have shown that there are negative long-term side effects of egg donation, such as infertility or cancer.
By Marley Lerner