If you’ve ever thought about becoming an egg donor, you know you have to fulfill certain requirements to donate your eggs. You may also know about the lifestyle requirements in preparation for the egg retrieval process. What about after you donate your eggs, though—does donating your eggs have any effect on your health?

This is a question that deserves to be answered, and in this blog post we’re going to talk to you about what effects donating an egg has on your health. We’ll also talk about how healthy you have to be in order to be a donor in the first place. You’ll find out about what you can expect when you do donate eggs, and if the process has any risks.

Does Donating Eggs Have Medical Side Effects?

So far, there does not appear to be a correlation between egg donation and future medical or reproductive issues—doctors have monitored the impact of the medications that egg donors use , and donors themselves are closely monitored during the donation process.

This is partially due to the fact that there are rigorous requirements to become an egg donor. In order to meet the minimum requirements for an egg donor, a woman must be:

• Between ages 21 and 20
• A nonsmoker & drink only socially
• Free from use of illegal and psychoactive drugs
• At a healthy weight
• With both ovaries
• Free of hormonal IUDs and contraceptive implants
• Free of any sexually transmitted diseases
• Without a family history of any inheritable genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis
• With at least one year of secondary education
• Able to take time off from work or school to go to appointments

If a candidate meets all of these requirements for being an egg donor, she is given a lengthy evaluation. This includes an application with several essays, a psychological evaluation, and a physical exam that involves blood tests and genetic tests. If the candidate passes all the stages, she is now ready to be an egg donor.

The criteria for egg donation may sound intimidating, but egg donors don’t have to be superwomen. They just have to be mentally and physically healthy. This is not only for the donor’s benefit, but also for the sake of the women who will receive the eggs.

The Risks

Unfortunately, the process isn’t always smooth sailing. The fertility drugs an egg donor takes may be uncomfortable. The side effects can include:

• Bloating
• Headaches
• Weight gain
• Moodiness

If you’re worried about any of these, you’ll be happy to know they usually go away by themselves. However, there is a small chance that one of two complications can develop. The fertility medicines can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and potentially ovarian torsion.

However, both of these complications can be remedied if they are detected early. OHSS and ovarian torsion (twisting of the ovary) have easily detectable symptoms, and any donor monitoring her progress will more than likely recognize them as soon as they occur. At the first sign of any change in your condition, including during the recovery process, call the donation center immediately to talk to your doctor.

Having said that, the overwhelming majority of egg donors do not have these complications. Most donors agree that the egg retrieval process, while sometimes uncomfortable, is rewarding. In fact, some donors even offer their services multiple times.

Contact The Donor Solution Today

If you want to be an egg donor, don’t delay. Contact The Donor Solution at (713) 827-0301 or send us a message. Our staff can answer any questions you may have about becoming an egg donor. Get in touch to discuss your donor options.