Your egg donation questions answered

If you're thinking about becoming an egg donor, it's only natural to wonder how it works, how long it takes, how safe it is and much more.

Donating your eggs can be a life-changing gift to so many people, but it's a significant decision and you need to make sure it's the right one for you. If you're considering egg donation, these FAQs might help you with your decision.

What are the requirements for becoming an egg donor?

If you're considering egg donation, the requirements to be an egg donor include:

• Aged between 21 - 35

• Have a BMI between 18 to 35 - Calculate your BMI

• Be a non-smoker for at least six months, including vapes

• Be free from serious illnesses or infections that could be passed to the birth parent or baby

• Able to share your full medical and genetic history and that of your immediate relatives

• Willing to have a fertility assessment and genetic screening

  
  These criteria ensure that it is safe for you to donate, and that your eggs are healthy.

How do I get started?

If you're interested in becoming an egg donor, get in touch. We'll pass a form for you to complete. This helps us gather the information we need to help decide whether you might be a suitable donor.

We'll follow up with a medical and genetic questionnaire and then schedule you in for some fertility tests.

What happens after the fertility tests?

When we have the results of your initial fertility tests- this includes the AMH blood test and internal vaginal ultrasound scan. We will be able to see if these results indicate that you may be a suitable donor. We will schedule an initial consultation with one of our doctors who will discuss your egg donation in more detail.

You will need to attend an implications counselling session to ensure you are fully informed about the implications of becoming an egg donor. After this session, various blood tests will be conducted to rule out any chromosomal abnormalities or infections. The results of these blood tests take up to six weeks, and in the meantime, we will plan your treatment cycle and ensure you are happy with the process.

How long does the donor matching process take?

We can’t predict exactly how long the matching process will take, as it depends on your individual characteristics and the needs of recipients who are ready to move forward. However, once you’ve been matched and agree to donate your eggs, the egg collection usually takes place within six to eight weeks.

If you're considering how to donate eggs or wondering how many times you can donate eggs, your clinic will guide you through the process and ensure it’s safe for you to continue with any future donations.

How long will my egg donation take?

To donate your eggs, you'll undergo a partial IVF cycle. This will typically take around three weeks. This will include the 14-day hormone medication you will take to stimulate your egg growth, monitoring scans we'll carry out to determine when your eggs are ready for collection and the egg retrieval procedure.

Will I be offered compensation for donating my eggs?

In the UK, it’s illegal to pay someone to donate their eggs, but donors can be compensated for expenses such as travel and accommodation during their donation cycle.

As of 1st October 2024, the HFEA guidelines state that clinics may offer a fixed sum of up to £985 per donation cycle. This amount may be increased if you can provide receipts showing your expenses exceeded it.

If you're looking into how to donate eggs, it's helpful to understand both the process and the support available. Your fertility clinic will also explain how many times you can donate eggs safely, in line with medical guidelines.

How often can I donate?

You can donate to create 10 families, some of whom may have more than one child. This may also mean that you can donate more than 10 times, especially if you donate again to the same couple or if one couple does not conceive. You must wait a minimum of three months between donations and still meet the donor criteria. For more details on donation frequency, check out our article on how often you can donate eggs.

How are my eggs collected?

As part of the egg donation process, we stimulate your ovaries with medication to grow more follicles than you would produce in a natural cycle. During egg collection, a needle attached to a scan probe is used to drain fluid from each follicle. This procedure is very similar to the internal scans you’ll have had before.

The embryology team then examines the follicle fluid to identify any eggs. Once collected, the eggs are then frozen. They are then kept in quarantine for three months. We would then invite you back to the clinic for a final set of screening bloods.  Once these results have been signed off, we can offer your eggs to other patients for their treatment.

If you're considering donating, this is a key step to understand when exploring how to donate eggs or deciding whether to donate your eggs.

Is it painful to donate eggs?

During the egg collection, you will be given sedation and pain relief so whilst you will be awake for the procedure, it shouldn't be painful for you. You may even fall asleep during the procedure due to the sedation.

You’ll wake up feeling rather tired and may have some cramping. You will need to take at least 24 hours of rest following egg collection and will need someone to pick you up from the clinic and take you home as you cannot drive for 48 hours after sedation. We advise you not to take public transport unless you have a chaperone.

Will more than one egg be collected?

Yes, we aim to collect a minimum of four eggs per donation, though it’s often possible to retrieve a much higher number. However, we cannot guarantee how many eggs will fertilise, develop into embryos, lead to an ongoing pregnancy, or result in a live birth for the recipient.

If you're considering whether to donate my eggs, it's helpful to understand that while the process is carefully managed, outcomes can vary.

How soon after giving birth can I donate?

You must be a minimum of 6 months post-delivery and finished breastfeeding, if applicable, prior to embarking on a donation cycle.

Can I donate eggs while breastfeeding?

No, you must wait a minimum of 3 months after your last feed before donating. If you have recently given birth, you must wait a minimum of 6 months post-delivery.

Can I donate my eggs to a friend or relative?

Yes, you can donate your eggs to a friend or family member if you wish to do so. However, there are some rules for mixing sperm with a biological member of your family. We can provide advice based on your individual circumstances.

Can I donate if I have PCOS?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a potential egg donor. This is because the hormone medication used to stimulate egg growth can pose a potential risk of overstimulation in those with PCOS and we don't wish to put a donor at risk.

Can I donate if I have had a hysterectomy?

Unfortunately, you cannot be an egg donor if you have had a hysterectomy. This is because the ovaries tend to move upward into the pelvis following a hysterectomy, making it difficult to access them for egg collection.

Can I donate if I have had my fallopian tubes tied?

Yes, you may be able to donate your eggs even if you have had your fallopian tubes tied as the ovaries are not disrupted.

How many families will my eggs be donated to?

You can consent to the number of families you wish to on the HFEA consent forms.  The maximum number of families that one egg donor can donate to is 10.

Can I specify how many children my recipients can have when using my eggs?

No; you can specify how many families you wish to create (a maximum of 10 families), but you cannot specify how many children each family could have. Each donation may result in recipients having embryos to freeze and then use in future cycles for siblings. A single embryo transfer may still result in a multiple pregnancy so we are unable to limit a family to one child.

Can I donate eggs anonymously?

In the UK, egg donation is not completely anonymous, but there are protections for your identity in place:

• At the time of donation, your identity is private

• The person receiving your eggs cannot access your identity at any point, but they will be told your height, eye colour and occupation (e.g. teacher, sales manager, etc.)

• Any children resulting from your donation can ask for non-identifying information about you when they turn 16, such as your height, eye colour and occupation (e.g. teacher, sales manager, etc.)

• Any children resulting from your donation can ask for your identity when they turn 18, which includes your name, date of birth, and last known address

Can I use contraception whilst donating?

Yes, but there are restrictions. You can donate if you are taking a combined oral contraceptive pill (such as microgynon) or if you have the copper coil. Donation whilst you have a Mirena coil is possible, but only if you have regular bleeds (ie every 28-32 days). If you do not bleed with the Mirena coil, you will need to have this removed prior to treatment. You cannot donate if you are taking the progesterone only mini pill, have the implant or have regular depo injections. These types of contraception would need to be removed and/or replaced.

Can I donate my eggs if I am a smoker or ex-smoker?

To donate your eggs with TFP Fertility, we require that you have been a non-smoker for at least six months, including vapes. This is because smoking can affect the quality of your eggs and we require high-quality eggs for use in donor treatment.

Will donating my eggs affect my own fertility?

No. We only collect the eggs which would naturally be produced with your monthly cycles. You will still be able to have your own children after donating your eggs should you wish.

Can I be flexible with appointments?

Yes and no. Some appointments, such as scans will be dictated by your body’s cycle. For example, baseline scans must be done in the first half of your menstrual cycle. So, whilst we may be flexible with times, the scan must be done within the first two weeks of your cycle.

Initial consultations can be booked at your convenience, as can consenting appointments, provided the consenting appointment is before starting your stimulation cycle. These appointments can be in person at the clinic or online.

The egg collection day will be confirmed when the follicles are big enough to contain a mature egg and cannot be delayed. The timing for collecting eggs can be adjusted slightly during the morning. We do not do egg collections in the afternoons or at the weekend.

Can I donate if I was adopted?

You may be able to donate your eggs if you are able to find out about the medical history of your biological parents.

If you're unsure whether you can donate your eggs or have questions about the egg donation process, get in touch with our friendly patient support team.