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FAQ's For Egg Donor

A donor's eggs are often the only opportunity for intended parents struggling with infertility issues and wanting to have a child. Usually, donor eggs are used in cases where a woman's eggs are of poor quality or when the egg cells do not produce their cells because of egg development abnormalities, absence, premature depletion of the function of the egg, menopause or other medical conditions.

faq's for egg donor

What is an egg donor?

An egg donor is a woman who donates an egg, or oocyte, to another woman to help her conceive. Egg donation is a good option for women who can't use their eggs for various reasons, including ovarian failure, endometriosis, mature age, uterine fibroids, bulky uterus, PCOS or poor quality eggs

Who is anonymous egg donor?

An anonymous donor is a donor whose personal information is hidden and should not be disclosed. The donor's photo is not available in their profile. The donor does not get any information about the recipient of the cycle where her biological material is used. 

When choosing the anonymous donor, the recipient (patient or IVF clinic) undertakes not to perform any actions to disclose the donor's personality and avoid contacting her.

Who is an open ID egg donor?

An open ID egg donor gave her consent to the processing and sharing her identity data, i.e., full name, country, city and address, contact phone number and email address. Identification information of the donor with a "non-anonymous" status is sent to the clinic or corresponding authority that regulates the importation of biological material for infertility treatment in the particular country.

What are the requirements to become an egg donor?

Our egg donors meet the following criteria:


  • Young fertile women at the age of 18-32
  • Perfectly physically and mentally healthy
  • Thoroughly screened and rescreened
  • Without detrimental habits or addictions
  • With proven fertility (have at least one own healthy child)
  • Without hereditary diseases and negative phenotypic signs

What is the age limit of egg donors?

32 years

How many times is a woman allowed to donate?

Ukrainian law sets the limit of 8 stimulation cycles

What are the risks of being an egg donor?

IVF treatment has many benefits, a good record for safety and success, but it can also have serious risks. Before starting the IVF cycle, it is essential to get familiar with all risks and complications. There are a few complications connected with being an egg donor:


  1. Ovarian HyperStimulation Syndrome (OHSS) 
  2. Ectopic Pregnancy
  3. Multiple Pregnancy
  4. Miscarriage
  5. Fertility Medications Side Effects

How are potential egg donors screened?

Lab and diagnostics tests include:


  • Blood type, Rh factor
  • HIV-1 Ag р24 and summary antibodies, including group О and HIV-2 (ECLIA)
  • Treponema pallidum, summary antibodies
  • PCR HBV (Real-time)
  • PCR HCV (Real-time)
  • PCR, Chlamydia trachomatis (genital swab)
  • PCR. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (genital swab)
  • Сomplete blood count
  • Coagulogram
  • CMV, IgМ
  • CMV, IgG
  • AMH, MIS
  • LH
  • Estradiol (E2)
  • FSH
  • Vaginal smear
  • PAP-test
  • Psychological counselling


Genetic tests include:



  • Karyotype
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Fragile X
  • SMA

How does Ovoria Egg Bank select donors?

  1. At the very beginning, the potential egg donor visits the medical centre for the initial consultation. She also undergoes an ultrasound to assess ovarian reserve, signs of current ovarian stimulation or pathology that contraindicates hormonal treatment. Moreover, the candidate is referred to a blood draw for AMH and a small talk with a psychologist, donor coordinator and doctor about the whole process of donation.
  2. After medical approval, the donor receives further details that include the possibility for her to choose between open and anonymous egg donor status. If all agree, the medical centre and donor sign a contract.
  3. Afterwards, our donor coordinators check the medical history of the donor's family, going back to three generations. The purpose of this analysis is to ensure that there have been no severe hereditary diseases in the past. 
  4. Our doctors carry out a thorough examination to confirm a suitable health condition of the donor, absence of any abnormalities and hereditary diseases.
  5. Blood and urine samples are collected and tested for infectious and genetically recessive diseases. Besides, chromosome analysis is performed. The results go through the assessment and approval of our geneticist.
  6. Also, the donor does a personality test.

What is the process of egg donation?

First visit.The first visit consists of:


  • Ultrasound check to assess ovarian reserve, signs of recent ovarian stimulation or pathology that contraindicates hormonal treatment
  • Blood draw for AMH
  • Small talk with the psychologist and doctor about the whole process of donation


The donor will take a complete blood count as well as a test for blood type and Rh. Moreover, her blood sample will be used for extensive genetic screening. It is required to exclude the possibility of the donor being a carrier of genetic illnesses inherited by a future child.


Second visit. Interview with a donor. Psychological assessment


If the level of AMH is enough for egg donation, donor candidates will complete a comprehensive questionnaire, including details about family medical history. The donor will also undergo a psychological assessment to ensure her emotional stability. One of the mandatory requirements is signing a contract with the medical centre about participating in the egg donation program. In this way, the donor gets informed about the flow of the whole procedure, her rights and obligations. Moreover, by signing the contract, she gives consent to donate the oocytes and undertakes to follow the doctor's prescriptions and take the necessary medical tests.


Gynaecological evaluation:

  • General physical exploration
  • PAP-test
  • Vaginal smear
  • PCR, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea (genital swab)


Blood screening


The donor will take a complete blood count as well as a test for blood type and Rh. Moreover, her blood sample will be used for extensive genetic screening. It is required to exclude the possibility of the donor being a carrier of genetic illnesses inherited by a future child.


Monitoring & Stimulation


The donor will have several appointments with the doctor for an ultrasound check to make sure she is ready to begin two weeks of hormonal medications. If her ovaries are prepared, she will start taking stimulation medications injected under the skin through tiny needles. They are required to facilitate the maturation of more than one egg. There will also be about 3-5 additional clinical visits to monitor the donor's ovarian response to the medications.


Egg Retrieval procedure


After about 10-13 days of controlled ovarian stimulation, the donor will be scheduled for egg retrieval. The day and time of egg retrieval process are based on her ovarian response to the medications. The procedure takes place under general anaesthesia. The oocytes are retrieved vaginally under ultrasound control. Because of the anaesthesia, the whole egg donor cycle will not be painless for the donor. On the day of egg retrieval, she is recommended to be off work and have a rest.


Post-retrieval period


After egg retrieval, the donor may feel some cramping or fatigue similar to the period symptoms. In this way, she can take painkillers without a doctor's prescription. Most donors get back to work and normal activities within a day or two after egg retrieval.


Reimbursement and embryo transfer


The donor will receive her reimbursement for the donation cycle on egg retrieval or the next day once we get an embryological report.

Can I use birth control during the egg donation cycle?

Birth control will not affect your status as a donor. You can continue to use all forms of non-hormonal birth control during the egg donation process. In addition, birth control pills, patches, and rings are allowed.

Can I donate eggs if I'm using an IUD device?

Yes, you can become an egg donor and donate your eggs if you have IUD devices.

Which gene disorders does Ovoria Egg Bank screen donors for?

We examine our donors for Karyotype, Cystic Fibrosis, Fragile X, SMA.

Does Ovoria Egg Bank perform Covid-19 screening for all egg donors or particular ones?

All donors take the covid-19 test in the donation program.

In which laboratories does Ovoria Egg Bank perform egg donor screening?

All standard tests are carried out at the Synevo laboratory, genetic tests – at the Nadiya laboratory. Both labs are certified according to international standards.

Does Ovoria Egg Bank provide original documents with the results of egg donor tests?

We have a donor profile that includes all information about the donor's examination. In exceptional cases, we can provide the original documents with the results of egg donor tests.

How can the recipient's child get the information about the non-anonymous egg donor after reaching 18 years?

A child of the recipient can contact a medical centre for information. The child should provide a birth certificate or other documents confirming the relationship with the recipients as well as copies of the parent's passports. After passing the identification, he will be able to receive the donor's data (full name, last known address, donor's message to the child).

Polina Pylypenko • September 30, 2021
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