Deciding to become an egg donor is a selfless act that gives life and helps others build the families of their dreams. To help potential donors, this article offers information about the egg donation experience. Read on to learn about egg donation medication and how it works, the timeline you’ll follow from application to donation, and a look at what the risks are for egg donation.
Why Egg Donation Medication Works
Once you have applied and been approved as a Family Creations egg donor and matched with a couple or individual seeking donated eggs, the first step of the egg donation experience is getting in touch with a doctor and preparing to use the required medication. Without these stimulating medications, the ovaries make and release only 1 mature egg per menstrual cycle (month). During your egg donation cycle, there are typically 3 medications that you will take over the course of 2-4 weeks. These medications allow your body to produce multiple eggs in one cycle.
The medications are self-injectable and will need to be administered daily. These injections are not intravenous; they are subcutaneous, which means they are inserted just under the skin. The injections are very easy and painless. A nurse will provide you with instructions on how to administer the injections yourself.
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive has to do with what the risks are for egg donation medication. The side effects of the medications are very similar to PMS – you might feel a bit moody, tired, and bloated. However, most donors report not feeling any different while taking the medications.
The Protocols for Egg Donation Medication
For the egg donation experience to be successful, there are several ovarian stimulation medication protocols that are used to “pump up” the ovaries to make enough follicles and eggs. IVF stimulation protocols in the US generally involve the use of 3 types of drugs:
- A medication to suppress the LH surge and ovulation until the developing eggs are ready. There are 2 classes of drugs used for this:
- GnRH-agonist (gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist) such as Lupron
- GnRH-antagonist such as Ganirelix or Cetrotide
- FSH product (follicle stimulating hormone) to stimulate the development of multiple eggs
- Gonal-F, Follistim, Bravelle, Menopur
- HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to cause final maturation of the eggs
The ovaries are stimulated with the injectable FSH medications for about 7-12 days until multiple mature size follicles have developed.
What are the risks of egg donation using injectable medications?
As with any medication, there are possible side effects. A few common side effects include:
- Mild bruising and soreness at the injection site
- Mood swings and fatigue
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Temporary allergic reactions, such as skin reddening and/or itching at the injection site
- Breast tenderness and increased vaginal discharge
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
You may have heard an old myth that fertility and egg donation medications cause ovarian cancer. However, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine has shown that myth to be false: “Earlier reports from several decades ago suggested a link between ovarian cancer and the use of fertility medicines. However, more recent and well-done studies are reassuring and do not show this association.” (ASRM, 2015) When conducting independent reviews into what the risk are for egg donation, it’s critical to consult the most recent research findings as the egg donation experience has improved considerably in safety and efficacy in the last decade.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
One possible side effect of fertility medication is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Most symptoms of OHSS are mild and typically subside without any special treatment within a few days after the egg retrieval. Mild symptoms of OHSS include nausea, bloating, and weight gain due to fluid. Severe OHSS is reported in 1-2% of IVF cases. This means essentially that the body has “over-responded” to the FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and the ovaries become excessively enlarged.
Great care is taken by physicians to minimize the chances of this occurrence. In severe cases, OHSS can cause large amounts of fluid to build up in the abdomen which can lead to blood clots, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, dehydration, and vomiting.
For more information about OHSS, see the ASRM fact sheet and speak to a medical professional.
Egg Retrieval Procedure
The egg donation experience culminates with the egg retrieval. At this time, the doctor will use an ultrasound-guided needle that is inserted vaginally. It will go into your ovaries and with gentle suction, they will remove the eggs and follicles produced during your cycle. Family Creations ONLY works with highly reputable clinics in the US. This greatly decreases the risk of egg donation complications. Thankfully, as ASRM reports, “Serious complications from IVF medicines and procedures are rare. As with all medical treatments, however, there are some risks.” (ASRM, 2015)
Most donors do report feeling slightly bloated for a few days after the retrieval. However, the majority of our donors fly or drive back home the day after their retrieval and are able to return to work or school immediately.
What are the Possible Risks of the Egg Donation Retrieval Procedure?
You may experience mild to moderate pelvic and abdominal discomfort during egg donation. In most cases, the pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications and dissipates within a few days.
It is possible, though rare, to sustain injury to organs near the ovaries, such as the bladder, bowel, or blood vessels. Rarely, bowel or blood vessel injuries can require emergency surgery and, occasionally, blood transfusions.
Another possible risk of egg donation retrieval is pelvic infection, which can be mild to severe. Pelvic infections following egg retrieval or embryo transfer are not common. Severe infection may require hospitalization and/or treatment with intravenous antibiotics.
In extremely rare cases, surgery may be required to remove one or both of the ovaries and tubes and/or uterus. Women who have had pelvic infections or endometriosis involving the ovaries are more likely to get IVF-related infections.
What are the Potential Risks of Anesthesia in the Egg Donation Retrieval Procedure
Dr. Lawrence Tsen, associate professor in anesthesia at the Harvard Medical School has indicated that the risks associated with anesthesia are generally very low in healthy, young women that become egg donors. Falling within the range of a healthy BMI significantly decreases the risk associated with anesthesia.
Although the risks are considered to be very low in the egg donor population; some of the major complications associated with anesthesia are heart attacks, stroke, pulmonary emboli, difficulty breathing, and respiratory failure. It’s important to note that these risks associated with the egg donation experience are very rare. At Family Creations, all egg donors are carefully screened throughout the process to help ensure safety and well-being.
Become an Egg Donor with Family Creations
As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks in egg donation. It’s so important to do your own research to make sure that egg donation is the right choice for you. We strongly suggest you speak with your doctor if you have any questions regarding your personal health and how the egg donation process may affect you. We at Family Creations encourage all of our donors to be their own best advocates.
We are happy to refer you to a doctor that specializes in assisted reproductive technology to answer any specific questions you have regarding the medical process of the egg donation experience. Contact us through our website or give us a call at 800-551-1445.
We look forward to helping you every step of the way!
References
American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). (2015). In vitro fertilization; what are the risks? In Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.
Giudice, L., Santa, E., & Pool, R. (Eds.). (n.d.). Assessing the medical risks of human oocyte donation… In Institute of Medicine and National Research Council Workshop Report (pp. 31-40). Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
Ovarian Stimulation IVF Protocols Medications and Drugs for In Vitro Fertilization (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2016, from https://advancedfertility.com/ivf-in-detail/ovarian-stimulation/