Becoming an egg donor is a unique opportunity to help another couple struggling with infertility to fulfill their dream of having a child. The process of egg donation is purely personal, and by choosing the ideal donor for couples, great attention is paid. The egg donor qualifications established for donors may vary according to the program, although some are regulated by law. This careful selection means that not all women will be entitled to donate their eggs. These are the main considerations for egg donors.

Age

The age of the donor is taken into account to guarantee their legitimate capacities, as well as the optimum quality of the eggs. The minimum age for all programs is 18 years, as established by law so that she can enter into this type of contract. As a rule, many programs accept donors between the ages of 18 and 35. However, some programs are preferred by women between the ages of 20 and 30 years. Donors over 35 years of age are generally not considered due to a reduced response to fertility drugs and an increased risk of abnormalities in the ovules.

Becoming an Egg Donor

General physical health:

Before claiming the donation of an egg, the donor must have a net health bill. Donors undergo a complete physical examination, which includes a medical history, blood tests and tests for infectious diseases and sexually transmitted diseases.

  • Healthy weight: some programs set specific weight limits (for example, 160 pounds or less), while others require a normal body mass index (BMI).
  • Normal blood tests: general blood tests will be done in addition to measuring hormone levels and detect infectious diseases such as HIV.
  • Medication: the donor should not take any medication. However, some programs may make exceptions for oral contraceptives.
  • Habits of a healthy lifestyle. The programs prefer non-smokers who do not currently use illegal drugs or who do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
  • Healthy family history: Donors may need to pass a test to identify common genetic disorders. A family history of genetic disorders or a positive test can disqualify a donor. In addition, donors must provide a detailed medical history of their families, including parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters and children.
  • Lack of contact with HIV: A potential donor who has been exposed to HIV or who is at risk of infection during the donation process will be disqualified. The donor did not have to have more than one sexual partner in the last six months or participate in a sexual activity with a prostitute last year. In addition, exposure to the questionable use of needles, such as illegal drugs, tattoos or acupuncture obtained from unqualified institutions, can put the donor at risk. Some programs may require that your sexual partner also be tested for HIV.

Gynecological health

Ovum donors will be asked to complete a complete gynecological history and pass an exam before they can pass the ovules. Donors should have regular menstrual cycles, such as the ovaries, and have no known reproductive disorders or diseases. Donors can not currently use any contraceptive implant, such as the Navy or Depo-Provera. A pelvic exam will be performed to identify obvious lesions, neoplasms, or abnormalities. It will also allow the expert to take a PAP smear and other samples for testing. Some programs may also perform a pelvic ultrasound to check the status of the ovaries and other reproductive structures. He will also review everything that was not obvious during the physical exam. It is often considered desirable if the donor has a prior history of pregnancy or egg donation, since this determines fertility.

Mental health and availability

The process of egg donation requires personal sacrifice, maturity and commitment. A psychological examination may be required to assess the donor’s ability to understand and cope with these emotional responsibilities, as well as the ability to complete the donation process. 

Personal characteristics

Many egg donation programs emphasize the personal characteristics of potential donors. They will evaluate qualities such as clean conviction, reliability, education and personal achievement. The specific ethnic or religious qualities can also be taken into account in relation to the requirements of the recipients.