1. Fertility Medications Will Negatively Impact Hormones Later
Fertility medications have not shown any long-term impact on an egg donor's hormone levels or future fertility. In fact, fertility medications create a boost in hormones while a donor is taking them. Once the donation process is complete, the medication leaves the body quickly without leaving a footprint.
Donors should know what to expect after the egg donation process and should have an in-depth conversation with a physician. The female cycle does take a few months to return to a normal schedule but is no cause for worry.
2. Birth Control Can Make You Infertile
Women often worry that years of taking birth control can lead to infertility. This is not true. A study published by the National Library of Medicine states "Contraceptive use regardless of its duration and type does not have a negative effect on the ability of women to conceive following termination of use and it doesn’t significantly delay fertility."
Women often avoid birth control measures because they are afraid that long-term birth control usage is going to affect their chances of becoming pregnant later. This is not true. Women should speak to their physicians to determine the best choice of birth control for them.
3. Egg Donation Can Cause Infertility
Absolutely not for the near future or in the long term. Egg donors go through a medical process that stimulates egg production. Though it is a medical retrieval procedure, the process does not risk the fertility of the donor. Natural ovulation releases one egg in the female body, during the egg donor process, the body might mature 10-20 eggs per cycle. Ultimately, when the donation process is over, your body is not depleted of any fewer eggs than it normally would have.
4. Egg Retrieval Is Considered A 'Major Surgery'
Egg retrieval is very safe and non-invasive. Egg donors are sedated during the process with anesthesia similar to what you might experience at the dentist. The entire retrieval takes about 20-30 minutes and there is no cutting or stitching involved. Donors do not feel pain but do need to recover from the sedation afterward. 1-2 days is the typical amount of time after retrieval that donors are back to normal.
5. Egg Donation Takes Up A Lot Of Time
Egg donation is not a lengthy process. The appointments at the clinic can take about 20-30 minutes and are flexible with your schedule. The process takes about 4-6 weeks to complete and Donors might visit between 6-8 times. During the process, donors will undergo an appointment for screening, a psychological evaluation, and egg retrieval.
Genesis Rising works very closely with donors so that they understand what to expect out of the entire process. We are so grateful for the gracious donors who take the time to go through the process and experience the egg donor journey. If you are ready to start the process you can apply here.