Egg donation & long-term health risks

Are UK egg donors at risk of long-term health problems? Research egg donation online and you’ll come across one or two anecdotal stories about egg donors – usually from abroad where donation isn’t regulated - who are reporting health issues and blaming it on their egg donation cycle.

There is no scientific evidence or proven link between egg donation and the subsequent development of serious illness. So should you still be worried? Here’s what you need to know about egg donation in the UK:

Regulated egg donation in the UK

In the UK – unlike the USA where many of these online stories originate - all egg donation is regulated. This means that all egg donors and their cycles abide by rules set by UK fertility regulator the HFEA – Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority.

These rules are designed to protect the health and wellbeing of egg donors, recipients and any children born, and govern all the vital elements of egg donation including the criteria to donate eggs, health screening and informed consent.

It also limits compensation to £985 per donation cycle. Egg donors in the UK aren’t paid for their eggs, the compensation is to cover any associated expenses such as time and travel, which keeps egg donation as an altruistic act and prevents there being any financial incentive.

Responsible egg donation at Manchester Donors

At Manchester Donors we don’t just meet the required HFEA regulations for egg donation. We also impose our own standards, focusing on a responsible and safe egg donation experience for all our egg donors.

It’s why we’re the only National Gamete Donation Trust (NGDT) Centre of Excellence for egg donation in the North.

When you donate eggs to us, you can be assured:

• The fertility drugs we use to mature your eggs are proven to be safe. They’re the same drugs used on our IVF patients.
• We use only the minimal doses of fertility drugs for an effective egg response, personalised to you.
• We don’t use high stimulation drug doses as this may compromise your health and the quality of your eggs.
• We’ll always inform you about the risks of egg donation – but if there’s the chance your health could be compromised you won’t be allowed to donate eggs with us.

Manchester Donors: An exceptional egg donation experience

Our egg donors say we make the egg donation experience ‘wonderful’ – so why not find out if you can change lives with us?

See if you meet the criteria to donate eggs and learn more about the process. If you’ve got any questions, have a chat to our friendly dedicated Donation Team on 0161 300 2734. If you’re ready to apply online, complete our preliminary form here - you’re under no obligation - and we’ll be in touch.