Potential Risk Factors for Egg Donors

As with any medication, there are potential side effects from both the Lupron (or other agent) and the stimulation agent. Two of the most common complaints of Lupron are headaches and insomnia (this drug has not been approved by the FDA). You may take Tylenol only during this process. Ibuprofen is not allowed due to the anti-inflammatory response it creates. With each stimulation agent, you will experience bloating and tenderness in the pelvic region due to the enlargement of the ovaries. Some of the agents sting upon injection and could also leave slight swelling or bruising at the injection site. These will dissipate with time and are not harmful. You can expect to gain a small amount of weight due to the bloating (2-7 lbs), this will also resolve itself in a couple of weeks after the egg retrieval.

The most common risk with ovarian stimulation is "hyperstimulation" of the ovaries. The goal is to "over" stimulate, not "hyperstimulate". If this occurs, you will be required to repeat a visit back to the clinic to have the added fluid aspirated out of the ovaries. This is done similarly to the egg retrieval itself, although usually you are not given anesthesia for this process. It is a quick procedure that will help you rid of the excess fluid. If you are hyperstimulating during the monitoring process, the physician may be inclined to cancel the cycle due to health risks to yourself.

In severe cases, ovarian twisting could occur (less than 1%) in which the ovaries cut off their own blood supply. In this case, the ovary would have to be removed. There are also additional risks to surrounding organs such as nipping the bladder. Your risk factors should be discussed in detail with your clinic before consenting to the procedure.

Egg donation is a fairly new procedure and long-term risks are still being established. The number one concern is how it will affect the donor's ability to conceive later in life. This procedure has not shown any increased risks for infertility, many donors have had healthy, successful pregnancies of their own after a cycle. Cancer is another risk factor that is also being studied and thus far has not shown any increased risk to donors.

Thank you again, and we look forward to sharing this amazing experience with you!

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