Reader Sarah G writes:
A friend of mine told me she donated her eggs to an infertile couple in her 20s and that it was a really wonderful experience. I’ve been thinking about doing it, but I’ve heard that donating your eggs can cause infertility. I’d love to help other people, but I don’t want to harm my chances of having my own children in the future. Is my friend right? Will donating eggs make me infertile?
Infertility can be caused by many things, most of which have nothing to do with donating eggs. But donating eggs comes with a number of serious health risks. Potential donors should keep in mind that research on egg donation needs to be taken with a grain of salt because is not extensive enough to be conclusive. In general, though, the risks of egg donation are similar to the risks of IVF, since egg donors undergo similar procedures.
What the research says
Judging from the current research studies, the biggest risks to your future fertility are ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), complications from the egg harvesting procedure, and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Contrary to popular belief, however, research indicates that donating eggs does not cause your ovaries to “dry up.”
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
According to Jansen and Tucker, in a medical textbook on Assisted Reproductive Techniques, the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome varies from 6.6 to 8.4 percent of egg donor cycles. Half the cases of OHSS are classified as “severe” and life threatening.
Complications from the egg harvesting surgery
Complications from the egg harvesting surgery are estimated to be somewhere between 1 in 500 to 1 in 1000 cycles. According to one study of 674 oocyte donors, 1.5 percent required hospitalization due to complications occuring during or after surgery.
Increased risk of ovarian cancer
Another study reported that women who took the ovulation inducing hormone clomiphene citrate, or Clomid had 11 times the risk of developing ovarian tumors compared to the general population.
Egg donation and ovarian aging
According to this research study on women who donate multiple times, donors faced no higher rates of ovarian aging. Egg donation does not cause your ovaries to “dry up”.
So does egg donation affect future fertility?
The evidence suggests that egg donation could cause a donor to become infertile, but those risks seem similar to women who undergo IVF. The chances of any one egg donation cycle causing infertility are small, but each time a woman donates eggs, she opens up the possibility of complications and side effects.
Do you have a question about egg donation or infertility treatments? Email your question and I’ll answer it on Fertility Nation.
For more tips and advice, check out our series on How to Become an Egg Donor.
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