Learn about Egg Donation and Become an Egg Donor
Egg Donors are always needed!
Since 1983, egg donation has helped women who are unable to conceive with their own
eggs, or have no ovaries, or have a history of genetic disease.
Egg donors must be healthy and within a specific age range (usually between the
ages of 21 and 34, but age requirements may vary by clinic.)
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine sets standards and criteria for egg
donation programs.
The primary benefit to women who donate eggs is knowing that they have helped
another woman achieve pregnancy. Egg Donors may be paid for their time and effort.
The donor may miss several days of work for medical exams, consultations and the
egg retrieval.
Potential egg donors may be:
Anonymous Donors - Many women opt to undergo the egg donation process as anonymous
donors. They donate eggs to an infertile woman or couple whose identity also
remains anonymous. Anonymous donors are matched as closely as possible to the
criteria specified by the prospective recipient.
Known Donors - In many cases, the egg donor is a sister, friend, or relative of the
recipient. Some recipients recruit donors on their own.
Donor Screening & Consultation
To start the process, the potential egg donor completes a medical history form and
genetic questionnaire. She also submits OB/GYN records and any other significant
medical records. The donor and her partner (if applicable) must have psychological
screening and blood tests for sexually transmitted and genetic diseases (if
applicable.)
Egg production
The physician prescribes hormonal therapy to stimulate the donor's ovaries to
produce multiple eggs. The physician monitors progress through blood tests and
vaginal ultrasounds.
Egg Retrieval Process
This non-surgical procedure is generally performed using intravenous (IV) sedation.
The entire egg retrieval takes less than an hour.
Egg Fertilization and Transfer
After the egg retrieval, the embryologist fertilizes the donated eggs in the
laboratory with sperm from the egg recipient?s partner or donor sperm. The
resulting embryos are then transferred to the uterus of the recipient.