Egg Donors: How to Protect Your Fertility While Helping Grow Another Family

Donating your eggs to help grow another family may get you thinking about when you are going to start your own family. Although you may not be ready to have a baby now, chances are that you wish to become a mom someday. Hence, you may be wondering whether being too generous with egg donation now can affect your fertility in future.

Well, the short answer is – No! It doesn’t.

There are no studies showing that egg donation affects fertility in the future. However, we do understand that as first-time Egg Donors, lots of women feel worried and confused by baseless myths.

The best way to get rid of these misconceptions is to do thorough research by yourself before starting the actual process. Here is an in-depth discussion about egg donation and common questions Egg Donors have.

Will donating my eggs deplete my egg reserve?

No, this is just one of the common misconceptions about egg donation. And we can understand why prospective donors may be worried about this.

The female body releases only one egg during natural ovulation. But when making egg donations, your body may mature around 10-20 eggs per cycle.

The fact is – every month, the body begins to mature 15 to 20 eggs, which all battle out to be the winner that attains ovulation. The losers in the “ovulation” game are then reabsorbed into the body.

The main difference between a woman’s natural cycle and an egg donation cycle is that in the latter, the body matures all those eggs at a time. So, eventually, you will have the same number of eggs remaining in your reserve that you would have had even if you don’t give out your eggs.

Can fertility medications taken during egg donation affect my hormones in the future?

Research has shown that taking fertility medications does not have any long-term effect on future fertility. These drugs only boost your reproductive hormones when you are using them, and your body quickly eliminates them once you stop.

Although it could take some months for your periods to return to normal, there is no reason to worry about it.

What are the likely complications?

Although egg donation is a very safe procedure, like any other medical procedure, it has its own risks.

OHSS

There are some complications (though rare) that can occur during an egg donation process. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is one of them. It results when the body responds excessively to stimulation medications and can cause cramps and bloating.

Ovarian Torsion

In very rare cases, OHSS can lead to ovarian torsion. This is a health condition that occurs when an ovary twists around the ligaments holding it in place, causing severe pain and probably damage to the ovary. However, the risk of ovarian is very low (less than 1%), and to further minimize the risk, doctors advise that you go easy on exercise or any high-impact activities when undergoing an egg donation cycle.

Ovarian torsion, also known as adnexal torsion, is the twisting of the female ovary, resulting in intense pain on one or both sides of the ovary. Even though ovarian torsion does not usually occur, it can develop if the donor does not stick to the doctor’s instructions. If it is not quickly detected, ovarian torsion can lead to the loss of the affected ovaries.

What can I do to protect my fertility in the future?

Whether you decide to donate eggs or not, Caring for your fertility now can increase your chances of conception in the future.

Although lifestyle choices are the key to protecting your future fertility, you can also speak to your doctor for advice and assistance.

1. Stay active and fit

Diet and nutrition can have an immense impact on fertility as pregnancy becomes more difficult to achieve when you are significantly under or overweight. This is because having too much or too little weight can mess with hormone production in your body and therefore affect ovulation.

Nutrition is another important factor that can affect fertility. Research has indicated that trans fats interfere with the release of eggs in the ovaries (ovulation). However, a right balance of protein, healthy fats, and slow-release carbohydrates will make sure that your body has all it requires for reproduction.

Regular exercise is good for staying fit and reducing your stress levels, which are both good for fertility. However, while trying to remain in shape, it is important not to over-exercise your body. Even if your BMI falls within the normal range, very strenuous exercise can stress your body so much that it alters the way it produces hormones.

2. Avoid smoking

We all know that smoking is bad for us in many ways, and it’s extremely bad for fertility.

The chemicals in tobacco smoke cause cellular damage, which can extend to the ovaries. Moreover, smoking is known to damage eggs and cause you to reach menopause earlier than expected, which means little to no chance of getting pregnant.

3. Limit alcohol and caffeine use

While alcohol and caffeine are not as bad for your body, they need to be taken in moderation. Binge drinking may seem like a normal thing when you are in your twenties. However, uncontrolled alcohol consumption can have adverse effects on fertility health. The damage caused by alcohol can lead to irregular menstrual periods.

Coffee may not be much of a big deal, and the studies on its effect on fertility are unclear. However, there’s some evidence that taking too much coffee (three or more cups a day) can cause problems.

4. Be aware of your sexual and cervical health

Another thing you can do to protect your future fertility is to practice safe sex and have yourself screened for sexually transmitted infections on a regular basis. If they’re not treated, STIs can cause serious issues later in the future by damaging the Fallopian tubes and causing scarring, inflammation, and several other problems.

Many of the sexually transmitted infections that are bad for fertility are a bit tricky. Since they have no clear symptoms, you might not even be aware you have one until it has caused severe damage to your body.

Fortunately, a lot of these infections can be easily managed or treated with an antiviral or antibacterial medication. So, it is important that you get tested!

If you are not more than 26 years, make sure to get yourself vaccinated for HPV (human papillomavirus) to prevent cervical cancer. Plus, all women should visit their doctor for regular pap tests to check for abnormal cells that could cause cervical cancer.

5. Get a fertility check-up

If you’re wondering what time it is on your biological clock, go for a fertility check-up.

Fertility testing can provide you with a snapshot of your hormone levels and ovarian reserve, and one of the benefits of being an egg donor is that you get to know this important information for free.

Are there any side effects of egg donation?

Yes, there are some minor side effects you can experience when undergoing an egg donation cycle or after the retrieval of the eggs.

The woman’s ovaries are enlarged to the largest point prior to the egg retrieval, and this can lead to a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, which is referred to as bloating.

Mild cramping is another symptom you may notice when you donate eggs. Although they are very rare, there are many other issues that could result from egg donation.

One that we often worry about when a donor is going through a cycle with us is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), as discussed earlier. Some of its symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid weight gain, protruded abdomen, and difficulty passing urine. Many women also experience vomiting and nausea.

At Coastal Fertility, we ensure that our donors are correctly dosed during their cycle to forestall hyperstimulation. Even though our donors don’t usually have OHSS, we make sure that each donor knows the symptoms to look out for in the event of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and receives responsive care to prevent the severe symptoms.

What can I do to prevent complications?

Here are some of the things you can do during your egg donation cycle to protect your fertility and prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS):

• Use the medications as directed by your doctor and keep open communication about how you’re feeling, particularly in the two weeks preceding and following the egg retrieval procedure. We want to ensure that you are well taken care of before, during, and after the donation. Also, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by your clinic.

• Limit your exercise while undergoing an egg donation cycle. The reason is that any jarring or twisting movements to the abdomen can make the ovary twist and possibly result in the loss of the ovary.

• Abstain from sex during this period to prevent unwanted pregnancy. This is because the egg follicles are getting matured at a speedy rate, and a pregnancy conceived while undergoing a donation cycle can result in multiple births. Hence, women who want to conceive after the procedure are advised to wait for at least one month before trying for a baby.

• Consider freezing your eggs. Egg freezing is becoming a popular option among young women who have great plans scheduled for the next couple of years: school, work, travel, relationships, etc. Freezing your eggs now when you are most fertile enables you to stop them from aging. The younger the female eggs, the higher the quality, and higher-quality eggs have better success rates.

Please note: The process of freezing eggs is the same as that of egg donation. So, you already know what to anticipate if you have donated eggs.

If you think that egg freezing is too expensive, think again! You can even use the money you get from egg donation to pay the costs of egg freezing or consider a flexible payment plan.

Previous Studies

According to a small study conducted in Belgium, women who go with egg donation are not hurting their chances of becoming pregnant or their fertility in the future.

Out of a group of 60 ex-donors who participated in this study, 54 became pregnant within one year of TTC (trying to conceive), and three more donors achieved pregnancy within one and half years, all without reproductive assistance.

The last three women got pregnant, too, although with the help of fertility treatment. And for two of those who required treatment, fertility issues were attributed to their male partner.

Donors take hormone medications that help increase the production of eggs in their ovaries, and research has shown that fertility issues may arise after these hormone treatments. However, there are flaws in the design of these studies, and a more comprehensive look is needed on this issue.

Conclusion

The previous explanation clarifies that if an egg donor has difficulty getting pregnant later in life, it is highly unlikely that egg donation is to be blamed. Remember, that there are many complex causes of infertility that should be considered too.

While egg donation does not affect your future fertility, it is good to research all the benefits and risks that come with it. It is completely normal for prospective donors to think about their future fertility and we applaud your concern & care about your reproductive health.

Donating eggs to a family in need is one of the most selfless acts you can do. If you are ready to step forward to become an Egg Donor, apply with our partner Lucina Egg Bank and find out whether you qualify or not.