In the last few months, two different readers have contacted me to ask if they can donate eggs if they’ve been diagnosed with HPV, or the human papillomavirus. The answer is, it depends on the egg donation agency. Some do accept donors carrying HPV and some don’t. On her blog, Suzanne Myers of Heartfelt Egg Donation says that she accepts egg donors with HPV. She notes that “Human Papillomavirus does not affect the eggs of a woman and having the virus does not automatically disqualify a woman from donating eggs.”
If you are thinking about donating your eggs, my advice is to call around to several agencies as you do your research on becoming an egg donor.
What is HPV?
HPV is a viral sexually transmitted disease which can infect both males and females. Some types cause genital warts. Other types of HPV can cause cervical cancer or cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and head and neck (tongue, tonsils and throat).
HPV is one of the most common STDs. Approximately 20 million Americans currently have it, and according to the CDC, “at least 50% of sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives.”
There is no cure for HPV, but there are treatments
Visible genital warts can be removed during doctor visits or by medication and HPV-related cancers are treatable like any other cancer.
Many Types of HPV are preventable
Girls and boys aged 9 to 26 can prevent many types of HPV infection if they take a vaccine. Two vaccines are currently available, Cervarix and Gardasil. Both vaccines can be taken by girls, while boys can only take Gardasil.
Have you taken an HPV vaccine? Would you give one to your boys or girls? Let us know in the comments!
For more tips and advice, check out our series on How to Become an Egg Donor.
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I believe that the correct answer to the question is not about which agency an infected donor might register with but rather whether or not the clinic at which the recipient parents are cycling will accept an HPV + donor. Donor agencies are typically not qualified (although perhpas Ms. Meyers is a medical professional)to determine whether or not an infectious disease is an indicator of screen-out for a donor candidate. Physicians and nurses screen and then approve donors for an egg donation cycle regardless of whether or not an agency has deemed the donor "acceptable".
Amy, thanks taking the time to share your perspective on the situation. I advised donor applicants with HPV to call around to agencies first because each one has different criteria for acceptance and rejection of applicants into the donor pool, but I understand that medical appraisals are best done by medical professionals.
I suppose the takeaway for egg donor applicants is to be upfront with all the parties and realize that some fertility clinics (not egg donor agencies) will accept you and some won't based on your medical condition. Is that a fair assessment?
Does the donor have to be a legal resident of the state they donate in? Is there a limit as to how many times one can donate like a max per 6months or per year?
Hi Eliza,
Egg donors do not have to be residents of the state where they donate eggs. Many egg donors travel to different states to donate