What Are the Long-Term Effects of Egg Donation?

Egg donation is a process whereby a person donates eggs from their ovaries to assist another person to build their family. Egg donation has gained popularity since the early 1900s as more and more women are faced with fertility challenges. Recipients of egg donation come from a variety of family structures - single parents, same sex couples, as well heterosexual couples.

Egg donors undergo a medical process that is broken down into phases, resulting in the retrieval of multiple mature eggs. While there are some side effects associated with egg retrieval, the information regarding the long term effects of egg donation is limited. What is known with certainty is the short-term impact that egg donation has. So let us explore this a little further.

Research on Future Health and Fertility

The short term effects of egg donation tend to be experienced during the egg development phase which involves the use of hormonal medications and injections. As well, while the actual retrieval process is conducted using sedation, a person may experience some discomfort afterward. Typically within a few days, the donor recovers and is able to resume their regular life routine. 

Long-Term Fertility

Naturally, a female will produce several follicles during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. The body naturally releases hormones that will cause these follicles to develop the immature eggs within. When one of these eggs reaches full maturity, it is released from its follicle and all the other follicles stop developing.There is a common misunderstanding that egg retrieval taps into a person’s ovarian reserve, diminishing their fertility. It is vital to note that the process of egg donation only takes advantage of the follicles that are released during a single cycle. During egg donation, the hormones that are administered stimulate the follicles that have already naturally been released in that particular cycle. When mature, these are the eggs that are retrieved, without impacting the ovarian reserve. 

Since a limited amount of eggs are retrieved during a cycle of egg donation, it is possible for donors to have their eggs retrieved more than once. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends no more than six egg donation cycles per individual in their lifetime. Even with several donations, a person still has plenty of eggs available should they choose to build their own families in the future.

Long-Term Research

There are no known studies available addressing what happens to donors in the long-term.While donating at the same facility may provide preliminary medical records, it has not been the practice to have long term medical and health check-ups relating to egg donation. This means that any long-term effects that are directly as a result of egg donation remain unknown.

Therefore it may be of benefit for research to be conducted following egg donors for a prolonged period after egg donation. The information collected could prove useful in understanding how egg donation may or may not impact egg donor health, whether physically or otherwise. It would also provide information on any long-term risks or even benefits of egg donation.  

Emotional and Psychological Effects

The emotional and psychological effects of egg donation can be linked to the availability of information and how well that information is communicated to the egg donor. Informing the egg donor on the screening process, medical process for egg retrieval, the risks involved and the relinquishing of all parental responsibility over any children conceived, is critical. This ensures a sense of autonomy and choice in the final decision to proceed with the egg donation.

Screening

When an individual seeks to participate in egg donation, part of the screening process evaluates their psychological health. The psychological evaluation is necessary to ensure that the egg donor is well able to undergo the process on the psychological level. Psychological screening also provides vital information with regards to the eggs that would potentially be retrieved, as some mental challenges are likely to be passed on in the DNA.

When looking at the emotional and psychological effects of egg donation, it is important to understand that not only does the preliminary screening ensure that the egg donor is fully aware of the process they are undertaking, but they are aware of what it means in the long term. Prior to beginning the process, the egg donor must willingly consent to donate their eggs without any further responsibility.

Anonymity

While many egg donors may remain anonymous, people born from egg donation are seeking the right to find, or have full disclosure on their egg donor’s information. As well, with more and more people seeking to know their ancestry, there are chances that egg donors can be identified by persons who have been born from their egg donation. This can occur if both the egg donor and the person born from their egg donation are registered on the same ancestry platform.

Termination Clauses

As well, the repercussions of not fulfilling their obligation as an egg donor contribute to the  There are circumstances whereby an egg donor may not be able to complete the egg donation process. Since egg donation is voluntary, egg donors cannot be forced to complete the cycle if there are mitigating circumstances. The implications of this however, is that the egg donor may be penalized financially for terminating their obligations before the contract is completed.  

Psychological Effects

There are several considerations beginning with consent to a medical process with its potential risks, the potential of discovery should the donor wish to have anonymity, the consequences of not fulfilling their obligations, all of which contribute to the factors that could have an impact on the emotional and psychological wellbeing of an egg donor. Further, there is also a gap in the psychological long-term effects of egg donation. 

Summary

Most egg donors come in voluntarily, with a willingness to assist families in building their families. As well, they leave the process with a sense of fulfillment, and often their positive experience results in them returning to donate their eggs again. However, what is not available is information on their physical, medical, and psychological wellbeing later in life. 

While there is room for growth, what is available in the short-term is still valuable. If you would like to know more about egg donation or participate in egg donation, contact San Diego Fertility. The team of fertility experts offers personalized, compassionate care to each individual on their family building journey. 

FAQ

Are there any known long-term risks of egg donation?

No. There are no proven long-term health risks associated with egg donation.

Does egg donation impact the timing of menopause?

No, donating eggs does not accelerate menopause. The number of eggs retrieved in any cycle are in the tens and a person’s ovarian reserves contain millions.