Here’s What the Guidelines Say

While egg donation can be an incredibly meaningful way to help someone build their family, becoming a donor involves much more than filling out an application. There are medical, genetic, psychological, and ethical considerations designed to protect you, the intended parents, and any future donor-conceived children.

Two organizations that help guide best practices in third-party reproduction are the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS).

What does ASRM recommend?

ASRM’s current guidance recommends that oocyte donors be legal adults and preferably between 21 and 34 years old. Donors should generally be healthy and have no history suggesting hereditary disease. Proven fertility is desirable, but it is not required.

Potential donors should also expect a thorough screening process that may include:

• Medical history and physical examination
• Infectious disease testing
• Genetic carrier screening
• Ovarian reserve evaluation and ultrasound
• Psychological evaluation
• Counseling regarding the medical, emotional, and social aspects of donation
• Medication training

It is important to note that egg donation isn’t risk-free. Ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval involve medications, monitoring, a medical procedure, and potential risks. That’s why appropriate medical screening and informed consent are such important parts of the process.

What does SEEDS have to do with it?

The Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS) focuses on promoting ethical practices throughout the third-party reproduction industry. Its standards are designed to help protect the interests of donors, intended parents, surrogates, and donor-conceived people.

For donors, ethical practice means more than simply completing medical testing. It means having access to appropriate information, understanding the process and potential risks, making an informed and voluntary decision, and working with professionals who take your best interests seriously.

SEEDS specifically encourages donors and surrogates to educate themselves about ethical standards and to carefully consider the professionals they choose to work with.

So, could you be an egg donor?

If you’re a female between the ages of 21–34, healthy, and interested in helping someone build their family, you may be a candidate but the only way to know is to begin your application!

At An Eggceptional Match, we believe prospective donors deserve to understand the process before making a commitment. Our goal is not simply to match donors with intended parents, but to make sure donors are informed, supported, and treated with the respect they deserve throughout their journey.

Thinking about becoming an egg donor? We’d love to connect! – schedule a call with our Senior Case Manager, Candi Sue Robinson here!