Becoming an egg donor is a great way for women between 20 and 28 years old to help a couple have children and build their family. Egg donors receive compensation for their time, effort, and dedication towards helping infertile couples and LGBT couples alike achieve their dream of having a family of their own.
Unfortunately, not all women qualify to become egg donors. The requirements for egg donation are designed to find donors and eggs that are as healthy as possible. It is important for the eggs to be fertile. Not every woman in the age range matches the rest of these criteria. Here are the six most common reasons that egg donor applicants are disqualified:
1. Health Concerns
An egg donor must be in good physical health and have a healthy BMI. Tobacco and drug use are also common disqualifiers. Even a history of substance abuse, even if it is in the past, could disqualify you from becoming a donor.
2. Inheritable Genetic Disorders
The genetic history and health is a major concern for prospective parents. Inheritable health conditions can disqualify a woman from being able to donate her eggs.
3. Contraception
Women who use Depo-Provera injections or have a contraceptive implant are unable to donate their eggs.
4. Menstruation
Healthy menstruation is a great indicator of fertility for women. Women who have abnormal and/or irregular periods could have reproductive conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis that can prevent them from being able to donate their eggs. If you’ve been diagnosed with a reproductive condition of any kind, be sure to discuss it with your chosen egg donor program.
5. Schedule
Egg donors must be mature, dependable, and reliable. If you don’t think you can attend the meetings and appointments expected of you, then you will have trouble becoming a donor.
6. Travel
If you have recently traveled to an area infected with Zika – within the past six months – or you plan on traveling to such an area within the next six months, then you are unable to donate your eggs. Be sure to check out the CDC to learn more about Zika and high-risk areas.
It’s important to understand the factors that can prevent you from becoming an egg donor. It helps you to save your time and energy. If you are interested in becoming an egg donor and don’t have anything that would prevent you from doing so, then please learn more about the process and get started.
These restrictions might sound too strict to some, but please understand that the reason is so that only the best candidates for egg donation are selected, so as to ensure the safety of everyone involved. The journey to becoming an egg donor can be challenging to some, but the feeling of helping someone else achieve their dream of having a family is a feeling unlike anything else.