By Dara Mormile

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Becoming an egg donor is an act of generosity that has helped create many happy families. In the United States alone, there are over 1 million children conceived through egg donation. The demand for egg donation is increasing as more working women delay childbirth and face challenges with pregnancy as they get older.
   However, the emotional and physical impact of the egg donation process can be significant for many women, both donor and receiver. While the physical demands of hormone injections, medical procedures, and recovery are challenging for the donor, the psychological effects are often more complex and long-lasting. Many studies have revealed that a substantial number of donors report symptoms of anxiety (58.8%) and depression (52.9%) post-donation. 
While there is significant financial gain from the generosity of being a donor - some could make thousands selling their eggs - the physical and emotional hurdles aren't often spoken about openly as a woman makes this life-changing decision for herself and a deserving family.
Preferred Health Magazine asked Dr. Natalie Stentz, MD, MSCE, about some of the lesser-known psychological and physical needs of egg donors. 

"I believe egg donors need comprehensive emotional support throughout their journey. Many donors report experiencing anxiety, depression, or family-related thoughts after donation, so offering pre-donation counseling is crucial to help them understand the emotional challenges they might face," Dr. Stentz said. "Post-donation support is equally important, particularly as donors process their feelings about children born from their eggs and their own future family planning. With anonymity becoming more difficult to maintain due to genetic testing, donors also need guidance on identity disclosure and potential future contact with offspring."

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Today, many American women are waiting longer to have children, with the median age rising to age 30. The number of eggs — and egg quality — decreases with age, thereby necessitating the need for donor eggs. But while IVF is certainly more discussed than in years past, many women shy away from sharing that they used donor eggs in the process, even as the practice has been quietly increasing in numbers. A substantial 12 percent of all IVF cycles in the U.S., about 16,000 a year, involve eggs retrieved from a donor, according to the CDC.
   Subsequently, ongoing mental health check-ins can ensure donors feel emotionally supported long after their donation, and peer support networks can provide a safe space for donors to connect with others who've shared similar experiences. By providing these vital layers of support, fertility doctors can help donors feel more emotionally prepared and supported, both during their donation process and as they embark on their own fertility journey.

   The mental health services offered to egg donors can vary from clinic to clinic, but most reputable fertility centers ensure that donors receive some level of psychological support. 
Typically, this begins with pre-donation counseling, where a mental health professional assesses the donor's emotional readiness and ensures they fully understand the potential psychological implications of donation. 
  Stentz noted that some clinics may offer ongoing therapy or counseling throughout the donation process, while others might provide access to a mental health professional only at certain key points, such as immediately after donation. Post-donation check-ins are also encouraged at many clinics, especially if the donor expresses emotional challenges related to the donation, such as feelings about potential offspring or identity disclosure. In some cases, clinics may also offer support groups or peer networks where donors can connect with others who have undergone the process. The extent and type of mental health support can vary, so it's important for prospective donors to ask their clinic what specific services are available to them.

The emotional and physical impact of the egg donation process can be significant for many women. While the physical demands of hormone injections, medical procedures, and recovery are challenging, the psychological effects are often more complex and long-lasting. Many studies have revealed that a substantial number of donors report symptoms of anxiety (58.8%) and depression (52.9%) post-donation. 
  "Some donors may struggle with feelings of responsibility toward the children born from their eggs, even if they do not see themselves as 'mothers' in the traditional sense," the compassionate doctor noted.  "The emotional journey varies widely among individuals, but it's clear that donors often need ongoing psychological support to navigate the complex emotions tied to this deeply personal decision."
  For egg donors, Dr. Stentz said, the experience of "being a mother" can feel very different from those who are raising children. Many donors may not feel a maternal connection to the children born from their donation, as they are not involved in the child's upbringing or day-to-day life. Their role is often seen as more biological, helping another person or couple achieve parenthood rather than experiencing motherhood themselves.

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Egg donation does require some organization, she added. "The active phase of treatment where donors are taking injectable fertility medications typically lasts about two weeks or less. This process leads up to the egg retrieval, and within two weeks after that, donors can expect to have a period and start feeling back to normal. It's important to remember that while some donors only undergo a single donation cycle, others may donate up to six times." 
  How do women emotionally handle going from the side effects of the donation process back to their 'normal' bodies? Dr. Stentz said emotional experience varies depending on the individual. Many donors report feeling the most anxious or emotional during their first egg donation cycle, but as they become more familiar with the process, they often find it more manageable in subsequent cycles.

 

It is also important to note that while the gift of being an egg donor is rewarding, not all women qualify. According to Egg Bank America, donors are held to a list of qualifying standards, including:
• Between the ages of 21 and 31
• Physically healthy
• Have a BMI 19-29 (BMI Calculator)
• Non-Smoker
• Have regular, monthly menstrual periods
• Not using Depo-Provera injections, Mirena IUD’s or implants as a form of birth control
• Have both ovaries
• Psychologically healthy
• No current use of psychoactive drugs
• No history of substance abuse
• No family history of inheritable genetic disorders
• Willing to take injections
• Dependable, mature, and able to keep appointments
 

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Dr. Natalie Stentz is a Michigan based reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist with a passion for helping individuals and couples navigate their journey to parenthood. She is the founder of The Ladybird Company, a women's health and fertility supplement brand, and has a deep commitment to proactive family planning and reproductive wellness. Dr. Stentz specializes in fertility preservation, IVF optimization, and gender-affirming care. Known for her compassionate approach, she is an advocate for patient education and personalized fertility solutions. Visit her clinic online to find out more about her dedicated services: http://www.nataliestentz.com/. Also check out http://www.theladybirdcompany.com/ to learn about supplements and vitamins helping women through their donation journey.