There are many couples today who need and benefit from egg donation programs. With the rate of infertility currently ranging from 15%-18%, egg donors help a lot of couples to have the families they desire. Egg Donation comes with risks that should be considered when researching if this is the right choice for you. While there is monetary compensation for your time and commitment, Egg donation should be well-considered before proceeding.
Health Threats
A donor can develop Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which can be a doorway to other health issues like bloating or irritable digestion problems. Women who develop OHSS after a donation often encounter fluid build-up in their abdomens, which can be extremely uncomfortable. You can read more about Ovarian Hyperstimulation here.
Flawed Family Planning
One of the major risks of being an egg donor is the potential for multiple children. Donors who engage in unprotected intercourse after retrieval, against medical advice, are at greater risk as some of the matured eggs might not have been missed during the retrieval process. Donors are instructed to wait until AFTER their next monthly cycle to engage in sex to prevent this.
Side Effects of Fertility Drugs
A great segment of the risks of egg donation can be linked to the use of fertility medications. Despite the fact that fertility drugs bear no long-term side effects, they usually trigger a couple of side effects that can be quite disturbing especially if it is your first time to donate eggs. Fertility medications are known to trigger headaches, bloating, abdominal pains, nausea, and fatigue in some women after egg retrieval. There are also chances, though slim, that needless use can puncture or damage other organs accidentally. This can result in pain and internal bleeding which if not attended to immediately can transform into major health threats. Some of the risks of egg donation can be linked to the use of fertility medications. Despite the fact that fertility drugs bear no long-term side effects, they usually trigger a couple of side effects that can be surprising, especially if it is your first time donating eggs.
Fertility medications are known to trigger headaches, bloating, abdominal pains, nausea, and fatigue in some women after egg retrieval.
There are also chances, though slim, that the needless used to retrieve eggs can puncture or damage other organs accidentally. This can result in pain and internal bleeding which if not attended to immediately can transform into major health threats. This process is done with the guide of ultrasound so this is extremely rare.
All in all, know that the egg donation process will certainly interfere with your daily life to a given extent. It often takes four to six weeks from the time you start being prepared for donation to the ultimate retrieval of the eggs. During this period you will have 8-10 dr visits and take your medications regularly. Most doctors are flexible enough so you can always schedule with them a time that is convenient for you, although all visits are scheduled in the mornings, normally between 8-10 AM.
Many egg donors report that even though at times it can feel inconvenient and cause some physical discomfort, they would love the opportunity to donate again.
To read more about the risks and side effects, click over to this Egg Donation Risk and Side Effects Post.
We help Intended Parents Create Happy Families via Egg Donation & Surrogacy with the help of caring Egg Donors & Surrogates.
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