Egg Donors

Who can become egg donors?

Theoretically, you might think that any healthy female should be allowed to donate her eggs (ova or oocytes). That, however, is not the case. Agencies have strict criteria and their policies have everything to do with optimizing the success rate of third party reproduction.

In other words, they choose candidates who have the greatest chance of producing healthy, viable eggs.

The typical age range is from 21 to 35 years. Twenty one, because the donor will be signing a legal contract and must be of age. Past the age of 35, a woman is less likely to produce a large quantity of normal, healthy eggs.

Because of hormone imbalance, older women do not respond optimally to fertility drugs.

As is true in surrogacy, a woman who has already given birth and/or has donated ova in the past, is a good candidate. This is a difficult procedure for a woman. Agencies look for women who have some maturity.

It’s all about doing everything to ensure a high likelihood of producing a pregnancy from the procedure. There are other criteria as well—legal implications and overall health of the donor and recipient.

If you are determined to become an egg donor, the best way to know whether or not you are a candidate is to contact an agency and begin the application process.

Dr. Christine Strong, NMD

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