The Science Behind Egg Donation: What Happens in Your Body?

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has expanded our knowledge on what happens deep within our reproductive systems. As well, we now know that there are many ways in which a person or couple can build their families. 

With the removal of previous limitations and continuous breakthroughs in reproductive health, one may be curious about how fertility treatments are able to yield the results that they do. This article will be discussing in a bit more detail what is happening within the body during egg donation. As well, we shall touch on what the effects of this process are on a donor. 

The Role of Hormones in Egg Maturation

The first step in the process of egg donation is to develop eggs for retrieval. In order to do this one needs to understand the natural egg maturation process. A woman’s menstrual cycle occurs in four main phases; menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase.

The follicular phase is when a woman’s ovaries release several fluid-filled sacs containing immature eggs. In the natural cycle, the hormone that is responsible for this is aptly called the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Without FSH, the follicles in the ovaries cannot begin their maturation journey.

How Ovarian Stimulation Works

Ovarian stimulation is done with the full understanding that the body already produces its own hormones to stimulate the ovaries to develop eggs. The process is therefore carefully controlled  to prevent an overload of hormones in the bloodstream which could have unpleasant effects. 

A professional medical provider will therefore administer the hormones in small doses, while monitoring the progress of the ovaries and the follicles. The goal of this process is to develop more than the single egg naturally produced. When the eggs are mature, the medical practitioner will retrieve as many eggs as possible.

What Happens to Your Eggs After Retrieval?

After egg retrieval, they are placed in an incubator where they are counted and evaluated to see which ones are mature and which are not. It is important to note that some eggs may be damaged during the retrieval process but they will not be used for any fertility treatments. As well, the eggs that can be used in fertility treatments will be preserved by freezing. In some cases, they may be fertilized and the embryos preserved. 

Short-Term & Long-Term Effects on the Body

The effects of egg donation in the short-term mirror those of IVF patients who are using their own eggs for fertility. In such cases, patients may experience ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), intra-abdominal bleeding, or a delay in becoming pregnant six to 12 months after egg retrieval. 

There are some concerns regarding the long-term effects of egg donation such as donors having menstrual problems, infertility, cysts, fibroids, or requiring fertility treatments to become pregnant. These concerns however require further study because these conditions are also influenced by other factors, thus may not necessarily be only due to having donated one’s eggs. 

FAQs

How does egg donation affect my hormones?

The egg donation process involves taking fertility medications which will increase egg production temporarily, but will not deplete future egg reserves.

Will donating eggs impact my future fertility?

No. Egg donation does not tend to affect long-term fertility, because only the eggs that would have naturally been lost are retrieved.

What medications are used during the process?

During the egg donation process, donors take injectable hormones like FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) to stimulate egg production.

What is the difference between fresh and frozen egg donation?

Fresh donation involves synchronizing with the recipient, while frozen donation allows for eggs to be stored for later use.