Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re considering egg donation in San Diego, you must have many questions for us. Luckily, our agency’s staff is here to answer all of them and help you through this journey.
Below you will find a list of the most common egg donor concerns and questions, together with detailed answers.
We hope these will help you make an informed decision.
How old do I have to be to donate eggs?
You need to be at least 21 years old. This requirement is in place in order to protect the reproductive health of our donors. Furthermore, it helps ensure that our donors are mature enough to fully comprehend the relevance and the risks that come with egg donation.
Another age restriction we have is that you can be 29 years old at the most. That is to ensure that the donor’s eggs will give the intended parents the highest chance of conception.
Is there a limit to how many times I can donate?
Yes, there is. Our agency limits each donor to a maximum of six egg donations.
Will you keep my personal information confidential?
Yes, we will. We will not release your name or information to anyone. If you decide to become an egg donor, the intended parents will be able to access your donor profile. They will not be able to identify you in any way through it, but they will get information relevant to them, such as your weight, height, and hobbies. All our egg donors are 100% anonymous unless both the donor and the hopeful parents agree to a meeting.
Is it possible for me to be an egg donor if I have no health insurance?
Yes, of course. The intended parents are the ones who cover your medical costs.
What can disqualify me from becoming an egg donor?
Our professionals, who work on the screening process, will pay close attention to health, family medical history, emotional stability, motivation, and other relevant factors. When a donor candidate is disqualified, it is usually for more than one reason.
The leading cause for donor disqualifications is missing scheduled appointments. The process of egg donation is a time-sensitive one, which means that the ability to keep a schedule is of utmost importance. Women who tend to break their appointments are not desirable candidates.
What is the compensation for donating?
The compensation for egg donation differs from one case to another. It can depend on the donor’s location, ethnic diversity, number of previous donations, and many other factors.
However, in general, it is between $5000 and $15000. This compensation serves to cover the effort, time, commitment, and inconvenience egg donation demands.
What medications will I need to take, and do they have side effects?
The physician is the one who determines what medications you need to take. There are four different medications that you might need to use.
Birth control pills
These pills might be necessary as a way to regulate your menstrual cycle. Potential side effects include mood changes, nausea, lighter periods, and spotting between periods.
Gonadotropin
This hormonal medicine serves to assist your eggs to mature. During the stimulation cycle, this medicine is administered on a daily basis. This cycle usually lasts 12 days. Potential side effects include hot flashes, headaches, and mood changes.
FSH
This medication is there to help your body produce more than one egg per cycle. Donors need to take it once per day for 10 days. Potential side effects include headaches, bloating, nausea, hot flashes, and mood changes.
hCG
An injection of hCG triggers ovulation. It is administered up to 36 hours before the egg retrieval procedure. Potential side effects of hCG are the same as those of gonadotropin.
What does the recovery after egg donation look like?
After egg retrieval, you might experience slight soreness or cramps over the first few days. Over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol should help make you feel comfortable. Most donors go back to work the following day.
If I become an egg donor, will there be any reproductive health consequences?
Women have been donating eggs since the 1980s, and so far, no study has shown that there are long-term health repercussions. There’s no increase in congenital disabilities, spontaneous miscarriages, or congenital abnormalities related to the use of egg donor medications. In less than 5% of all donors, an individual can experience ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which can damage the ovaries.
If you have a concern or a question that we didn’t address here, please contact us, and our team will respond as quickly as possible.