Egg donation (oocyte donation) is a fundamental procedure within assisted reproductive technology (ART) that allows individuals or couples to achieve pregnancy when they cannot use their own eggs. This process involves a woman donating her eggs to be fertilized before the resulting embryo is transferred to a recipient’s uterus. The necessity for egg donation arises due to advanced reproductive age, diminished ovarian reserve, or the risk of passing on certain genetic diseases. The entire process is strictly regulated by professional guidelines to protect both the donor and the future child.
Donor Eligibility and Screening
A potential egg donor must pass an extensive and rigorous screening process. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends that donors be between the ages of 21 and 34 years, as this range optimizes egg quality and ensures the donor provides informed consent. Screening begins with a comprehensive review of the donor’s personal and family medical history, searching for hereditary diseases. This is complemented by genetic carrier screening to identify the risk of passing on conditions like cystic fibrosis.
Physical health is assessed through a complete medical exam, including a pelvic ultrasound to evaluate ovarian anatomy and an assessment of ovarian reserve. The donor is tested for infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, as required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to prevent transmission. A psychological evaluation by a qualified mental health professional is mandatory to confirm the donor understands the emotional implications and commitment.
Understanding a Single Donation Cycle
A single egg donation cycle represents a significant medical commitment, beginning with hormonal synchronization, often utilizing birth control pills to align the donor’s and recipient’s menstrual cycles. The core of the cycle is controlled ovarian stimulation, where the donor self-administers injectable fertility medications for approximately 10 to 12 days. These hormones stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs instead of the single egg that develops naturally.
Throughout the stimulation phase, the donor undergoes frequent monitoring through blood tests and transvaginal ultrasounds to track the growth of ovarian follicles. Once the follicles reach an optimal size, a final injection, called the “trigger shot,” is administered to induce final maturation. The egg retrieval procedure occurs about 36 hours later. This minor surgical procedure is performed under sedation, using an ultrasound-guided needle to aspirate the fluid and eggs from the follicles.
The Maximum Number of Donations
The question of how many times a woman can donate eggs is addressed by professional practice guidelines established to protect the donor and the resulting children. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) strongly recommends that a woman complete no more than six total egg donation cycles in her lifetime. This limit is a national standard that clinics are expected to follow.
One primary reason for this restriction is minimizing the cumulative risk associated with repeated medical procedures and protecting the donor’s long-term health. Undergoing multiple rounds of ovarian stimulation increases the aggregate chance of complications like Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which carries a risk of approximately 1% to 2% in a single cycle. Limiting the number of cycles manages this potential cumulative exposure to hormones and surgical risks.
The other significant factor is ethical, aimed at preventing inadvertent consanguinity—the risk that two half-siblings conceived from the same donor might unknowingly meet and have children. ASRM guidelines recommend limiting the number of offspring from a single donor to no more than 25 pregnancies per 800,000 population in a given region. The six-cycle limit acts as a practical safeguard to manage this genetic risk.