Why Are There Specific Requirements For Egg Donation?

In order to become an egg donor, there are a few requirements to ensure you are qualified for egg (ovum) donation. These requirements are enforced to ensure that the whole process is safe for both the donor and the recipient. If the quality of the egg is not good, there is a higher chance of abnormalities and birth defects.

Age

When it comes to donating eggs, donors must be between the ages of 18-30. The minimum age is to ensure that a woman can legally enter into a contract. On the other hand, there is also a maximum age limit. This age limit is enforced because egg quality can decrease as women age. In addition, older women typically do not respond as well to fertility medications as younger women do.

Smoking and Drugs

Did you know that smoking and secondhand smoke can reduce the chance of pregnancy by up to 50%? Smoking can reduce your ovarian reserve, fertilization, and can highly increase the event of a miscarriage. Therefore, smoking and drug use is prohibited for our egg donors.

Alcohol

Reliance on alcohol can cause hormone imbalances that alter the menstrual cycle and make it harder to conceive. The more alcohol that is consumed, the more serious the consequences can be. In addition, excessive drinking can also reduce the number of eggs by 13% and can increase the risk of a miscarriage. It is therefore a requirement that all our egg donors do not drink alcohol prior and during donation.

Tattoos and Piercings

You must not have received any tattoos and piercings within the last 12 months in order to qualify for becoming an egg donor. Not waiting can increase the risk of infectious diseases that might have passed through the needles used during the procedure.

Weight

In order to be qualified for egg donation; you must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 33 or lower. Being overweight enhances the possibility of affecting the egg quality and requires higher dosages of stimulation drugs needed to create follicles. The cost of the additional medication is then transferred to the intended parents. Therefore an egg donors BMI is important.

Refrain From Sex

If you are interested in egg donation, you must refrain from sexual intercourse for approximately a month. This is because donors are extremely fertile while on the medications used during the cycle. If you do not forgo intercourse during the egg donation process, you increase the risk of multiple pregnancies and donors can become more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

If you have any questions or concerns in regards to becoming an egg donor, do not hesitate to contact us toll-free at 1-866-41-SURRO and be sure to visit our website.