Are you considering donating your eggs? If so, you’ve just taken the first step in changing your life and the life of a couple eager for a child, forever. The decision to donate your eggs is an exciting one, but it’s important to begin your donation journey fully informed. For that reason, we’ve outlined a few of the most common things you may not have known about egg donation.
1. It’s Recommended You Not Donate More than Six Times
For both the health of the donor and the health of the eggs, we recommend not donating more than six times throughout your life. This guideline is also in place for the children that will be born from these eggs. The more often a woman donates, the more half-siblings will exist.
2. Psychological Traits are Considered
Your psychological history is considered just as much as your physical traits — for a few reasons. First and foremost, we want to make sure that any woman donating her eggs is emotionally able to handle the donation process. Secondly, psychological traits, such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, can be passed down just like physical ones. Our goal is always to harvest the healthiest eggs possible.
3. STI History is a Factor
Though a past sexually transmitted infection (STI) does not automatically disqualify you from donating, it is taken into consideration. The few STIs that will prevent you from donating are HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, and active gonorrhea. If, however, you had a curable STI in the past (longer than one year ago) you will likely still be eligible to donate.
4. Tattoos and Piercings Can Delay Your Donation
If you’ve gotten a tattoo or piercing of any kind, you’ll likely have to wait at least a year before you’re allowed to start the donation process. A tattoo or piercing can also prevent you from donating if it’s made clear that standard sterilization procedures were ignored.
5. Past Travel Can Affect Your Eligibility
If you recently traveled to a Zika-affected country, you’ll also be asked to wait up to one year before donating. If you’re considering donating your eggs, it’s so important that you disclose any travel outside of the U.S. to your doctor.
6. You Have the Right to Know How Donation Will Affect Your Body
The donation process is very safe, but there are a few physical and emotional side effects you should be aware of. Hormone shots and other medications can cause mild side effects, like fatigue and mood swings. If you’re an older woman interested in donating and having children of your own in the future, donation can affect your ovarian reserve and make it difficult to conceive as you age.
Asian Egg Bank was established to satisfy the ever-rising demand for Asian egg donors. Thanks to rigorous quality and screening standards, we are able to offer the highest quality eggs and surrogacy services to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy. Give us a call at 858-381-3224 for more information!