Are There Side Effects of Becoming an Egg Donor?
Becoming an egg donor has become common amongst young women and a routine part of fertility treatment for many individuals!
Egg donation can be an amazing way to help families struggling with infertility while receiving meaningful compensation for your commitment to the process. When considering becoming a donor, one of the most commonly asked questions is if it’s safe to be an egg donor? What are the potential side effects or risks you should be aware of before pursuing the process seriously?
“For the majority of women, going through an IVF or egg donation cycle is a safe process. The donation process is the exact same process as IVF or freezing your eggs – the only difference is you’re donating them to a couple in need.”
Many assume that the world of fertility medicine is primarily for those who have infertility issues, however, many individuals are now pursuing IVF cycles to freeze their own eggs or become a donor. The ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval process of egg donation is the first part of an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle. IVF is a medical procedure that began in the 1970s and is now a common practice for many families. Over the years the IVF process has been refined and continually monitored for safety. For the majority of women, going through an IVF or egg donation cycle is a safe process. The donation process is the exact same process as IVF or freezing your eggs – the only difference is you’re donating them to a couple in need.
How the Donor Screening Process Eliminates Risk
1. In order to ensure you are a candidate to become a donor, we typically ask you to complete an Anti-Mullerian Hormone Test (AMH Test) which gives us an idea of your ovarian reserve. This test has a wide range of what is considered “healthy” but also provides insight as to whether you would be an ideal candidate to become an egg donor. You are provided with a copy of this test for your own personal records as well.
2. At the fertility clinic, your physician will perform several blood tests and an ultrasound to ensure that your hormone levels are in normal range and that your ovaries are healthy. These tests will provide the physician insight before clearing you to start taking medication to stimulate your ovaries. All of these tests assist in mitigating the risk of complications.
3. Additional precautions will be provided for when you are on stimulation medications. These typically include avoiding the consumption of alcohol, lowering intense physical activity, and abstaining from intercourse. These recommendations help lower the possibility of complications throughout the cycle.
Reviewing the Risks and Side Effects
Just like any procedure, egg donation is not 100% risk-free. A quality agency and clinic will provide you with the proper information on the process so that you are fully informed before beginning the process. Below are a few side effects and very rare complications that you should know about.
Blood draws and injections: Throughout the donation cycle you will undergo several blood tests you will also have to inject yourself with fertility medication. For some, blood tests and injections can be a little uncomfortable and leave redness or a small bruise at the injection/draw site. While this is a minor side effect, we do feel that it is relevant to mention.
Fertility medication side effects: The fertility medications that you will be taking are hormones that will cause your egg follicles for that month to grow larger so that they are able to be retrieved. Since your hormone levels will be rising throughout the cycle, you may notice some mild side effects which are similar to PMS. Everyone reacts differently, so symptoms may include bloating, headache, sore breasts, or moodiness. Some women notice a small weight gain (typically water weight), but that will usually subside after your menstrual cycle. In extremely rare cases, an allergic reaction to the medication is possible.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): This rare side effect (less than a 5% chance of happening in any given cycle) happens when a woman’s ovaries over-react to the fertility medication. OHSS can cause symptoms like severe bloating, abdominal pain, and nausea. The screening tests you go through before beginning the cycle along with careful monitoring and dosing will all help lower the likelihood of developing OHSS. Most cases of OHSS are mild and will subside on their own in about a week, however, in extremely rare cases this condition can become more serious. If an egg donor experiences vomiting or shortness of breath, she should contact a doctor immediately. Lowering the dose of medication or stopping the cycle can prevent medical complications which could include damage to the ovaries.
Egg retrieval complications: After you’ve taken the fertility medications and have received the “trigger shot” which ends the ovarian stimulation part of the process, you will undergo an egg retrieval. The egg retrieval process is a short procedure that lasts about 30 minutes. The clinic will give you light sedation so that you won’t feel any pain. Post Retrieval, you will likely be in the recovery room for 30 minutes to an hour while the nursing team checks in on you. Very rarely, patients may have an adverse reaction to the anesthetic so your time in recovery is to ensure that you are okay to be released back to your home or hotel. Bleeding or infection as a result of egg retrieval is extremely rare and you should contact the clinic should you experience bleeding or fever.
There are no known long-term adverse effects or health problems linked to donating your eggs. It has also been continuously studied to confirm it does not have a future effect on your fertility.
Becoming a donor is a big decision, and you should feel educated and supported every step of the way. We believe that you should be completely informed while you’re making your decision. Any agency or clinic you work with should be 100% committed to providing you with all the information you need in order to decide whether egg donation is right for you.
