Egg donation is an altruistic act in which a young, healthy woman donates her eggs to an assisted reproduction clinic or egg bank to help other people or couples with fertility problems achieve pregnancy.
This practice is anonymous and carried out in a spirit of solidarity, with the aim of helping many women fulfil their dream of becoming mothers.
In this article, we will explore the requirements, procedure, necessary tests and financial compensation received by egg donors.
Table of contents
How can I donate eggs?
Requirements
To donate eggs, a woman must meet certain requirements established by Spanish law and assisted reproduction clinics:
- Age: Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Physical and mental health: Be completely healthy, with no genetic diseases, infections or mental disorders.
- Normal ovulatory function: Have regular menstrual cycles and adequate ovarian reserve.
- No unknown medical history: Not be adopted, as it is necessary to know the family medical history.
- Number of children: Not have given birth to more than 6 children.
💬 At Rainbow Fertility, we accompany all our donors with a friendly, safe and professional service throughout the entire process.
If you are interested in becoming an egg donor, request an initial information visit here.
Initial information visit
The donation process begins with an initial information visit to the clinic. During this consultation, the candidate will receive all the information about the process and can ask any questions she may have. This visit is non-binding, and only an initial interview is conducted to check whether the woman meets the requirements.
If the woman decides to continue, an informed consent form is signed to begin the donation process.
Tests for egg donors
Before being accepted as a donor, several medical and psychological tests must be performed:
- Gynecological examination: Ultrasound to assess ovarian reserve.
- Blood tests: To check blood type and rule out infections such as HIV, hepatitis and syphilis.
- Genetic testing: A karyotype to identify possible chromosomal abnormalities and a test to analyse hereditary genetic diseases.
- Psychological test: An assessment to ensure that the donor is emotionally prepared for the process.
How are the eggs obtained?
Ovarian stimulation
Ovarian stimulation involves the use of hormonal medication to stimulate the donor’s ovaries and allow several eggs to develop in a single cycle. This increases the likelihood of obtaining more eggs for donation.
The donor will administer the hormone injections daily for a period of 8-10 days. During this time, regular check-ups will be carried out at the clinic to monitor the growth of the follicles.
Follicular puncture
Follicular puncture is a surgical procedure performed under anaesthesia in which mature eggs are removed from the ovaries by aspiration. This process takes approximately 30 minutes.
After the puncture, the donor will rest for a short period in the recovery room and will be able to return home the same day.
Financial compensation
Although egg donation is an altruistic and anonymous act, donors receive financial compensation. In the UK, the law prohibits the purchase and sale of eggs, but allows compensation to cover expenses and inconvenience incurred during the process.
Financial compensation varies between £800 and £980, depending on the clinic, and is intended to cover transport costs, time lost from work and any inconvenience caused by medication and the procedure.
💶 At Rainbow Fertility, we offer fair compensation within the legal framework, as well as a caring and respectful donation experience.
User questions
Does donating eggs reduce a woman's fertility?
No, egg donation does not affect a woman’s future fertility. The ovarian stimulation process only uses eggs that would otherwise have been lost in the menstrual cycle, without impacting the donor’s ovarian reserve.
What financial compensation do egg donors receive?
In Spain, financial compensation for egg donors ranges from €800 to €980. This amount covers the costs incurred during the process and any inconvenience caused.
What are the benefits for egg donors?
Despite being an altruistic act, egg donors feel great satisfaction in helping others fulfil their dream of becoming parents. In addition, they receive financial compensation and the process is safe with few risks.
What are the risks of egg donation for donors?
The most common risks are ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), although this is rare, and risks associated with follicular puncture, although this is a safe procedure performed under anaesthesia.
What are the legal risks of donating eggs?
Egg donation is anonymous, and confidentiality is guaranteed by law. Donors have no rights over children born from their eggs, although in exceptional circumstances the identity of donors may be disclosed.
Can my sister be my egg donor?
No, in Spain, egg donation must be anonymous. The law prevents direct relatives, such as sisters, from donating eggs to other people.
Recommended reading
If you are interested in becoming an egg donor, you can read this article on egg donation step by step.
If you would like to know more about the treatment received by egg recipients, we recommend this article on egg donation and its price.
Authors and contributors
This article has been written by the medical team specialising in fertility at RainbowFertilityBarcelona.com, made up of gynaecologists, embryologists and assisted reproduction specialists.
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Don’t hesitate to contact our professionals at our fertility clinic and they will answer all your questions with no obligation.
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