Will It Hurt to Donate My Eggs?
One of the first questions potential egg donors often ask after learning about the egg donation process is, “Will it hurt to donate my eggs?”
It’s an understandable concern. After all, egg donation is very different from sperm donation. Men are not required to take medication or use injections when they donate sperm; they simple donate and leave the sperm bank. For women donating their eggs, both the preparation for the procedure and the retrieval procedure itself are medical in nature.
At Fertility Source Companies, we work hard to ensure that every woman who chooses to be an egg donor is well educated about the donation process and comfortable before the medical steps begin.
So, does it hurt to donate?
Every woman is different, but most donors describe any discomfort they experience during the donation process as mild. In fact, donors typically note that during the stimulation phase and post-egg retrieval, any unpleasant symptoms are similar to PMS – some cramping, bloating, fatigue, spotting and / or irritability. As you are sedated during the actual retrieval procedure, you will not feel pain. You may feel some grogginess post-procedure due to the effects of sedation.
Egg donors are advised to plan ahead for the initial hours post-retrieval. You will need to rest and avoid physical activity. This is advised in order to allow any cramping you may feel to subside and have the sedation wear off normally. Most donors find relief in over-the-counter pain relief medication and a hot water bottle or heating pad, though you should consult with your physician if you have any specific concerns during this time. Donors are carefully monitored after the egg retrieval.
How long will I need to recover?
Most egg donors only require a small amount of time to recover from the retrieval. You will probably be able to return to school or work the following day, though we encourage taking it easy for as long as you experience symptoms. Donors tend to prefer loose, comfortable clothing in the day or two post-procedure to help with bloating and cramping (if present).
Still have questions?
If you still have questions about the egg donation process, we hope you will visit our FAQ page. The FAQ page addresses questions relating to future fertility concerns, compensation, donation risks, and details about how appointments are scheduled to ensure your normal routine is minimally impacted.
