The Pros and Cons of Donating Eggs

By Fertility Advocate Jennifer Jay Palumbo

Donating eggs is a life-changing gift for people with fertility issues. If you’re a healthy, fertile woman aged between 21 and 31 who isn’t using contraceptive implants or injections, you are very likely to be eligible to become an egg donor. Furthermore, there is often substantial compensation. So – whether your motivation is financial remuneration or helping a couple in need, it’s important to know the pros and cons of donating eggs. Here, we run down five positives and five negatives… but of course, if YOU have any to add, let me know!

Reasons to Become an Egg Donor

It helps couples have a child of their own. Most people want to have children someday, but some couples struggle. Donating your eggs can help a couple struggling with fertility issues have a child of their very own – which is a remarkable gift.

There is a financial incentive. Women with viable eggs and regular cycles may receive extra compensation for future donations. Sometimes, the sum is substantial; for instance, ABC News reported that Wendy Gerrish, 33, from California, received $20,000 for her 7th egg.

It lets older women become mothers. Many women are delaying motherhood into their 40s to concentrate on their careers. However, at this stage, they may not be able to have a biological child. Egg donation allows older women to realize their dreams of motherhood.

You’ll receive a free health screening. Instead of paying for an annual physical, you get a free health screening, including checks for sexually transmitted disease, when you donate eggs.

The procedure is very quick. The surgical procedure is very short, taking only 15–20 minutes. Most doctors recommend a day of rest afterward, and many women return to work the next day.

Important Thins to Consider Before Donating Eggs

Complications are possible. Although rare, there can be complications as a result of the egg donation procedure. These can include swollen ovaries, abdominal pain, blood clotting, bleeding, or infection.

It can be psychologically challenging. For some, the thought of not being involved in a child’s life that they help conceive can be difficult. It may be because they worry for the child’s welfare or because they think curiosity about the child might get the better of them.

Fertility drugs can cause multiple births. It is not uncommon for egg donors to have multiple births after the procedure. This is because the doctor may not retrieve the created eggs during the egg donation process, which may lead to multiple pregnancies.

Over-stimulation of the ovaries can be permanent. Fertility medication used to cultivate eggs for donation can have long-term effects. This can cause discomfort from swollen ovaries and other complications related to the menstrual cycle.

It’s unlikely you’ll know who gets your eggs. It is possible to make a directed donation; however, it is not possible to know who receives your eggs in most cases. For some women, this can have a psychological impact

The Pros and Cons of Donating Eggs: A life changing Decision

There are several pros and cons of donating eggs, many of which depend on your circumstance. However, it can be very rewarding to give a couple with fertility barriers the gift of a child. Furthermore, monetary compensation can be extremely helpful for women in financial difficulty. However, as with any medical procedure, there are risks involved. Therefore, before becoming a donor, ensure you carefully consider the pros and cons of donating eggs.