The Pros and Cons of Becoming an Egg Donor

By Alyssa Schoenemann

Third Party Reproduction Director, Ivy Fertility

Becoming an egg donor is a deeply personal decision. Becoming an egg donor includes an emotional, physical and time commitment on your part.  Before you move forward, it's important that you fully consider the benefits and drawbacks of being an egg donor.

The Pros

You help build a family. For many intended parents, including LGBTQ individuals and couples, and those facing infertility, egg donation is the reason they're able to have a child at all. Few gifts compare to that.

You're compensated for your time and effort. Financial compensation reflects the commitment involved in completing an IVF cycle. It's not a payment for the eggs themselves, but for the time, effort, and physical experience of going through the process.

You learn about your own health, at no cost. The egg donor journey starts with thorough medical screening: fertility testing, genetic testing and consultation, and a counseling appointment to talk through your feelings and what donation involves. Along the way, you gain real insight into your fertility, genetics, and medical history, information you might not otherwise have access to.

The Cons

Daily hormone injections. For about 10–12 days, you'll self-administer hormonal injections as part of the cycle.

A demanding schedule. Expect multiple medical appointments spread across 2–3 weeks.

Physical side effects. Many donors describe symptoms similar to PMS: bloating, cramping, mood swings, and headaches.

Medical risks. They're rare, but real. IVF carries a small risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and the egg retrieval procedure itself carries typical surgical risks such as bleeding, infection, and complications related to anesthesia.

Other Things to Consider

You're helping someone else build a family, and that's worth sitting with. Depending on your agreement, you may have no future contact with the intended parents or the resulting child. It's also worth knowing that true anonymity cannot be guaranteed. Between commercial DNA testing and the internet, even donors who intend to remain anonymous may one day be found by a donor-conceived child.

Making the Right Choice for You

There's a lot to consider before becoming an egg donor and taking the time to think it through — honestly and without pressure — is part of making the right decision for you. When it's done for the right reasons, egg donation can be a deeply rewarding experience.

At Ivy Fertility, our dedicated egg donor teams and physicians are here to walk with you through every step of the process, answer your questions, and help you feel confident in your choice, all while helping intended parents achieve their dream of building a family.