frozen eggs

I'm often asked by intended parents about the ideal age for egg donors. They want to know how much the age of the egg donor matters when it comes to donor egg IVF.  Should they focus on finding a donor in her 20s? Is early 30s okay? While there isn’t a perfect age, there is an ideal age range to optimize for a successful cycle. 

In this article, I'll share what you need to know about how the age of the egg donor impacts your chances of success. We'll look at the biological factors that influence egg quality, explore recent research that challenges common assumptions, and discuss other important considerations beyond age. By understanding these factors, you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision when selecting an egg donor for your family.

The sweet spot for egg donor age

The best age range for donor eggs typically falls between 21 and 34 years old. Here's why:

Peak fertility

From a purely biological standpoint, women in their early 20s through early 30s are generally at the height of their reproductive health. During this time:

• Egg quality is typically at its best
• The risk of chromosomal abnormalities is lower
• Ovarian reserve is usually more robust

Emotional readiness

Donors in their mid-20s to early-30s are also more likely to be emotionally prepared to become an egg donor than younger women. This is a huge decision, and it’s important that egg donors understand the impact of their donation and can confidently follow through on the procedure. Here’s what we mean by emotional readiness:

• Making informed decisions about donation
• Understanding the long-term implications of the process
• Reliably following medical protocols

Donor age vs AMH

As long as an egg donor is between the ages of 21-34, her AMH level will be more predictive of success than her age. AMH is an excellent predictor of ovarian response, and your fertility doctor will use the egg donor’s AMH levels (amongst other biomarkers) to determine the drugs and dosages during the procedure. 

Younger donor eggs may not always be better

While the conventional wisdom often leans towards younger donors, recent research has provided some interesting insights that challenge this assumption:

A study focusing on infertility patients using donor eggs found that the chances of live birth were actually 13% lower for cycles using donors under 25 years old compared to those using donors aged 25 to 29.

An older but extensive study involving 3,889 fresh donor egg cycles revealed that donors aged 30 to 34 had a higher incidence of live birth than both younger donors (under 30) and older donors (over 34).

These findings suggest that the relationship between donor age and successful outcomes is more complex than simply "younger is better."

The good news is that the number of eggs retrieved - for donors at any age - is predictable. When you find a donor profile that resonates with you, your fertility doctor can help determine if she’s a good candidate. 

Age limits in practice

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) suggests that egg donors be at least 21 years of age at the time of donation. Most clinics and agencies like Cofertility follow this suggestion to ensure the donor is mature enough to understand the procedure and follow through on the commitment. 

While there is no legal maximum age to become an egg donor, ASRM recommends that donors be under the age of 34 and most clinics follow this guideline. At Cofertility, we require our Split program members to be 33 or under.

Factors beyond age

While age is a significant factor, it's not the only consideration when selecting an egg donor. Other important aspects include:

1. Overall health: A donor's general well-being can impact egg quality

2. Family medical history: This can provide insights into potential genetic factors

3. Lifestyle choices: Habits like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can affect egg quality

4. Fertility indicators: Measures like AMH levels and antral follicle count offer more precise fertility information

5. Fit for your family: Most importantly, you’ll want to find a fit that feels right for your family. 

All the donors at Cofertility are pre-qualified. Read more in How does Cofertility Screen Egg Donors?

The bottom line

While the biologically optimal age for donor eggs is generally between 21 and 34, the "best" age can vary depending on individual circumstances and priorities. At Cofertility, we carefully screen all potential donors, ensuring that regardless of age, they meet high standards for health and fertility.

Remember, the goal is to find the right donor for your family. Our team is here to support you through this process, providing the information and support you need to make an informed decision.

Choosing an egg donor is a big step in your family-building journey. By understanding the role that age plays in egg quality and donor suitability, you're better equipped to navigate this complex but rewarding process. We wish you the best of luck!

Read more:

• What Matters More: The Age of My Egg Donor, or of Who is Carrying The Pregnancy?
• What Should I Look For in an Egg Donor Database?
• I'm a Fertility Psychologist. Here's What I Want You to Know About Growing Your Family Through Egg Donation

If you’re embarking on the donor egg IVF journey as an intended parent, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to do a fresh or frozen egg donation cycle. At Cofertility, we offer both options, each with its own unique advantages. But before we dive into the specifics of our fresh and frozen egg donation programs, it's important to highlight a few key aspects of the Cofertility model and experience that remain constant, regardless of which path you choose.

First and foremost, every donor at Cofertility participates in our unique egg sharing model. Instead of receiving cash compensation, Cofertility donors complete a split cycle in which they keep half of the mature eggs retrieved, and donate the other half to intended parents. This means that our donors aren't motivated by financial compensation, but rather by the opportunity to help your family today alongside their own future family building goals. It's a win-win situation that ensures our donors are genuinely committed to the process and aligns their interests with those of intended parents.

Secondly, no matter which program you opt for, you'll be protected by our Baby Guarantee. While the scope of the guarantee varies with fresh versus frozen, know that everyone on our team is deeply committed to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood, and this guarantee reflects that commitment. We truly want you to go home with a baby, and we're willing to stand behind that commitment.

Third, regardless of the program you choose, you’ll have the option to decide between having a disclosed or undisclosed relationship with the egg donor. You can also meet with the donor in either program, though the timing of that meeting varies based on whether you go fresh or frozen. 

With these promises in place, let's explore the specific features of our fresh and frozen programs to help you determine which path might be the best fit for your family-building journey. 

Cofertility’s frozen egg donation program

Matching with a donor in our frozen egg donation program offers several benefits that make it an attractive option for many intended parents.

Increased certainty 

A significant advantage of matching with a donor in our frozen program is the increased certainty it brings to the egg donation process. When you match with an egg donor who is available for a frozen cycle, she has either completed her retrieval or has completed most or all of her medical screening and will be starting her cycle soon. With things like genetic testing results and psych clearance in hand, this means fewer unknowns and a smoother path forward.

But what does this mean for you in practical terms? It means less waiting, less anxiety, and more confidence in the process. You'll know from the start that your chosen donor has met all medical requirements to donate, reducing the risk of last-minute surprises or disappointments. This can be particularly reassuring for intended parents who have experienced setbacks in their fertility journey and are seeking a more predictable path forward.

Speed

If time is of the essence in your family-building journey, matching with donors participating in our frozen program might be a great fit. Since the time-consuming screening process is either complete or well underway, the period from matching to cycling can be significantly shorter. This is particularly beneficial if you're eager to transfer embryos as soon as possible.

Consider this: with a fresh egg donation cycle, you might wait one to three months for your donor to complete all necessary screenings and synchronize her cycle with yours. When you match with a donor in our frozen program, you could potentially be ready to create embryos within days  of matching. For many intended parents, especially those who feel that time is of the essence, this acceleration of the process can be a game-changer.

Baby Guarantee 

Perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of working with Cofertility is our unprecedented Frozen Baby Guarantee. Unlike traditional egg banks that might offer a blastocyst guarantee, we go a step further with a live birth guarantee. This means if the frozen eggs you receive do not result in a live birth, we'll replace them with an equivalent number of eggs from a new donor for $0. You won't have to pay for any screening or retrieval fees again, the only costs you’d need to pay are the additional shipping and fertilization expenses at the clinic. This guarantee covers the entire cost of the match, providing you with peace of mind and financial protection.

Essentially, we're sharing the financial risk of the egg donation process. This can provide immense peace of mind, knowing that your investment is protected and that we're committed to your success.

Cofertility’s fresh egg donation program

While matching with a donor from our frozen egg donation program offers significant advantages, matching with a donor from our fresh egg donation program also has its own unique benefits that many intended parents find appealing.

Fresh egg embryo creation 

One of the primary advantages of fresh egg donation is the ability to create embryos immediately upon egg retrieval. Some doctors prefer to fertilize fresh eggs vs. previously frozen eggs. This is because it could potentially lead to a higher number of healthy embryos, as it eliminates the need for egg thawing, a process that can sometimes result in the loss of some eggs. 

Every egg is precious in this process. So while freezing techniques have advanced significantly in recent years, with vitrification there's still a 5% chance that some eggs may not survive the thawing process. With fresh eggs, you're working with eggs in their most viable state, potentially increasing your chances of creating healthy embryos.

Local cycles and continuity of care 

When you match with a donor from our  fresh egg donation program, you have the option  of having that donor cycle at your clinic under the care of your own doctor. If you've already established a strong relationship with your fertility team, this ensures continuity throughout the entire process, from egg retrieval to embryo transfer.

This continuity can be incredibly valuable. Your fertility team already knows your medical history, understands your specific situation, and has likely built a rapport with you. Being able to continue working with them through the egg donation process can provide an added layer of comfort and familiarity during what can be an emotionally charged time.

Additionally, having the egg retrieval performed at your local clinic means you have more control over the process. You can be present (if you choose) on the day of the retrieval, adding to the sense of involvement and connection to the process.

A chance to meet the donor before the match is official 

With either program, you’ll have the option of having a disclosed or undisclosed donation and can choose to meet the donor if that’s something both parties are interested in. 

However, if you’re interested in matching with a donor from our fresh program, you’ll have the unique opportunity to potentially meet with the donor before she begins her cycle as part of our mutual matching process. This can be a meaningful experience for intended parents who value this personal connection from the outset.

For some intended parents, meeting the donor before the retrieval can help solidify their choice and create a sense of connection to the process. It can be an opportunity to express gratitude, ask questions, or simply put a face to the generous individual who is helping to make your dreams of parenthood a reality.

It's important to note, however, that this meeting is entirely optional. We understand that every intended parent and egg donor has different comfort levels when it comes to donor contact, and we respect whatever level of interaction you prefer.

Making your decision: it's all about finding your perfect match

Ultimately, for many intended parents, the choice between our fresh and frozen programs often comes down to finding the right donor. Both programs have their merits, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific circumstances, preferences, and the connection you feel with potential donors.

If you're open to either journey, we recommend exploring both options. You might find that you connect deeply with a donor in our fresh egg donation program, or you might discover that the perfect donor for you has already completed her cycle as a  part of our frozen egg donation program.

Consider your priorities:

• Is time a critical factor for you? If so, frozen egg donation might be your best bet.
• Do you feel strongly about using fresh eggs? Then fresh egg donation could be the way to go.
• Is the ability to meet your donor before the retrieval important to you? With donors in our  fresh egg donation program, you could have this opportunity.
• Are you looking for the highest level of financial protection? The Frozen Baby Guarantee might be particularly appealing.

At Cofertility, we're committed to supporting you through every step of your journey, regardless of which program you choose. Our team is here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you navigate this important decision.

Remember, this is your journey. Trust your instincts, ask questions, and don't hesitate to reach out to our team for guidance. We're here to help you navigate these decisions and find the path that feels right for you.

In the end, whether you go fresh or frozen, what matters most is the family you're building and the love that will fill your home. That is the most beautiful outcome of all. Your future child won't care whether they came from fresh or frozen eggs – they'll just be thrilled to be part of your family.

So take a deep breath, trust in the process, and know that with Cofertility by your side, you're one step closer to holding your baby in your arms. We’ve got hundreds of incredible donors on our egg donation platform who would love to help you make your dreams of parenthood a reality.  

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At Cofertility, we believe that everyone deserves the ability to build the family of their dreams. Part of this is ensuring intended parents have access to different options for working with an egg donor, including both fresh and frozen egg donation programs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about working with a donor in our frozen egg donation program.

‍If you’re interested in learning more about our options for fresh egg donation, click here.

An overview of frozen egg donation

Our unique egg sharing model provides intended parents with an alternative to cash compensation for egg donation. At Cofertility, our donors always go through a split cycle in which she keeps half of the eggs retrieved for her own future family planning and donates half to your family.

The key difference between fresh and frozen egg donation with Cofertility is the point at which the donor completes her screening and egg retrieval. The donor’s screening, and in some cases the screening and retrieval process, is completed in advance of matching. 

Donors in the frozen egg donation program will undergo the same rigorous screening process as those in our fresh egg donation program. All donors have been pre-qualified to move forward with egg donation per ASRM, FDA, and standard egg donation guidelines. A preliminary screening for donors includes:

• Confirming the donor's age is within ASRM guidelines. All donors on our matching platform are 21-33 years old.
• Reviewing the donor’s personal medical history, including lifestyle, chronic conditions, mental health, and reproductive health, in line with ASRM, FDA, and standard egg donation guidelines.
• Reviewing the donor’s biological family’s medical history, inclusive of evidence of genetic disorders, cancer history, and other conditions and illnesses, in line with ASRM, FDA, and standard guidelines.
• Collecting and reviewing past egg donation history with outcomes, if applicable.
• AMH testing via blood draw. All Cofertility donors are required to have an AMH level of 2.0 or higher.

At the time a donor in our frozen egg donation program is listed on our platform, they will have also already completed or are in the process of completing additional screening that includes:

• Antral follicle count (AFC) assessment
• General health examination
• Genetic carrier screening
• Psychological screening

Considerations for frozen egg donation

Both fresh or frozen egg donation can be great options, depending on your individual goals and what you’re looking for at this point in time. There are several reasons intended parents may choose to pursue frozen egg donation with Cofertility.

Quicker process

Matching with a donor in our frozen program can provide a unique opportunity to move forward with your family-building plans faster, as frozen eggs can be fertilized or shipped to your clinic immediately or as soon as the cycle is complete. Time from match to cycle can be a lot faster with frozen since the screening – which is what takes the most time – is already completed. If you’re looking to transfer embryos ASAP, matching with a frozen donor can help make that happen. 

Added certainty

Because a frozen donor has completed most or all of her medical screening in advance of matching, it brings a little more certainty to the process. With screening results in hand, you’ll have more certainty over whether a donor is the right fit for your family building goals from the outset which can help alleviate some of the speed bumps or heartaches that may come with a fresh donation journey. Every frozen match is also guaranteed to have a minimum of at least 6 frozen eggs. 

Generous guarantee

The pricing model of the frozen program allows us to put our Baby Guarantee on the entire cost of the match. Whereas traditional egg banks may offer a blastocyst guarantee, we offer a live birth guarantee. If the frozen eggs that you receive do not lead to a live birth, we’ll replace those with an equivalent number of eggs for $0. You don’t have to pay for any screening or retrieval fees again. 

Finding the right donor 

Ultimately, the most important thing is that you feel great about the donor who you match with. If you’re open to either journey, it might just be a question of finding the right donor and then accommodating whichever program she’s in. 

Our Baby Guarantee

We’re truly committed to helping families grow — that’s why we’ve built one of the most parent-friendly programs out there, inclusive of our Baby Guarantee.

As highlighted above, Cofertility’s signature Baby Guarantee goes above and beyond what traditional egg banks offer. If, for any reason outside your control, the frozen eggs that you receive do not lead to a live birth, we’ll rematch you with a new donor for $0. That means all of the medical expenses of the second cycle are covered and the only costs you’d need to pay are the additional shipping and fertilization expenses at the clinic. 

If you rematch with a donor who has more frozen eggs available, you will be responsible for covering the difference in cost.

How it works

We understand how daunting the process of looking for an egg donor can be. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that the process of finding your perfect match is as straightforward and as positive of an experience as possible. If you are interested in matching with a donor participating in our frozen egg donation program, here’s how the process works:

1. Create a free account: Simply answer a few questions about what you’re looking for to get immediate access to our donor matching platform. From there, you’ll be able to view profiles for the hundreds of donors that are available to match with families like yours.
   
   Donors participating in our frozen program will have a note in the “About this donor” section of their profile.

2. Find your match: When you find a donor with whom you’d like to match. Just press the “hold this match” button at the top of her profile. From there, you’ll be directed to pay your $500 match deposit, which will immediately remove the donor from the platform so no other intended parents can match with her while we confirm details with all parties.

At any time, you can also schedule a free consultation with a member of our team so that we can help you find your match.

3. Match kickoff: Shortly after you place a hold on a match, you’ll be assigned a dedicated Member Advocate you will be with you through the process end-to-end. Your Member Advocate will reach out to set up a kickoff call, during which you’ll go over the details of the process and confirm your match preferences. 

4. Donor screening and retrieval: When you match with a donor in our frozen egg donation program, the donor’s screening and retrieval is either complete or well underway. 

5. The split and embryo creation: On the day of the donor’s retrieval, the mature egg yield is split into two even cohorts (if there is an odd number of eggs retrieved, the “extra” egg will be in the donated half). Both the eggs that the donor keeps and the ones that she donates will be immediately frozen and stored. The donated portion of the eggs will be stored at our clinic partner where the retrieval is done and can be shipped to your clinic or thawed and fertilized on site. 

The number of eggs that you receive will vary based on the donor’s cycle outcomes and the total cost of each match varies based on the number of frozen eggs included. Some donors in our frozen egg donation program will have already cycled and the outcomes will be known, while others may not have completed their cycle just yet and there will be some uncertainty around the number of eggs that she’ll retrieve. If you match with a donor who hasn't completed her cycle yet and she retrieves a number of eggs that's not in line with your family building goals, you can put the funds paid towards another match in the frozen program.

What happens next is entirely up to you. You can ship frozen eggs to your clinic, where they’ll be thawed and fertilized. You can also work with the clinic where the retrieval took place, thawing the eggs and creating embryos onsite. Some intended parents choose to complete PGT testing on their embryos prior to implantation, while others may not. Some intended parents plan to carry the pregnancy themselves, while others are working with a gestational carrier. In any case, we’re passionate about creating an egg donation experience that is anything but transactional, and we are here to help make the process as seamless as possible — from embryo creation, to pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

Pricing

With the frozen program, you’ll pay a single lump sum fee that covers all of the costs involved in the donor’s retrieval cycle. This includes:

• Cofertility’s Coordination Fee
• All expenses associated the donor’s screening
• All expenses associated with the donor’s medication and retrieval 

The number of eggs that you receive will vary based on the donor's cycle outcomes and the total cost of the match varies based on the number of frozen eggs included. The full cost breakdown can be found on our pricing page. 

Conclusion

At Cofertility, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to growing your family with donor eggs. We’re proud to offer our unique no-cash compensation egg sharing model for both fresh and frozen donation to give intended parents as many paths as possible to grow their families. To create a free account and get instant access to our donor matching platform, click here. We can’t wait to be part of your journey.

For many aspiring parents, the decision to use an egg donor is a significant step in their family-building process. For many families we work with, it’s taken them a long time to get to this point, and they are ready and eager to move forward. One of the most common questions we hear at Cofertility is, "How long will it take to find an egg donor?" The good news is that with our unique egg sharing approach, there is no wait at all.

The Cofertility difference: No wait list

Unlike other egg donation programs, Cofertility has no waiting list. This means you can start browsing potential donors immediately after signing up. Our unique egg sharing model attracts a diverse pool of highly qualified donors, giving you access to hundreds of potential matches right now.

Matching timelines: Fresh vs. frozen donor eggs

At Cofertility, we offer both fresh and frozen egg donation options. The timeline for each process differs, so let's break it down:

Fresh egg donation

If you choose a fresh egg donation cycle, here's what you can expect:

1. Immediate matching: You can find your perfect egg donor match as you're ready.

2. Donor screening and paperwork: After matching, the process typically takes two to four months. This timeline includes medical screening, genetic screening, psychological screening, and legal paperwork. Learn more about how we screen egg donors here. 

3. Egg retrieval: Finally, there’s the roughly two-week egg donation cycle, which culminates in the egg retrieval. The eggs are yours immediately and can be fertilized to make embryos. 

This timeline can vary based on several factors, including your schedule, your donor’s schedule, and of course your clinic’s schedule. Every family at Cofertility is paired with a Member Advocate that will walk you through every step of the process. 

Frozen egg donation

For those considering egg donors who have already frozen their eggs, the process can be significantly faster:

1. Immediate matching: Like with fresh donation, you can match with a donor right away.

2. Paperwork: If the donor’s screening and retrieval are complete, you’ll move forward to sign an agreement with Cofertility and with the clinic where the donor completed her cycle. This typically takes 1-2 weeks but can be as fast as a few days! 

3. Rapid access to eggs: You could potentially receive the donor eggs and be ready to create embryos within days of matching.

This accelerated timeline can be a game-changer for many intended parents, especially those who feel that time is of the essence in their family-building journey.

Why is our matching process so efficient?

You might be wondering how we're able to offer such a streamlined process without a waiting list. This is due to our unique egg sharing model, where women freeze their eggs for free when donating half to a family that can’t otherwise conceive. 

• Attractive program for donors: Our unique approach appeals to a wider pool of potential donors, increasing the number of available matches.
• Pre-qualified candidates: We maintain strict qualification standards, ensuring that all donors in our program meet rigorous criteria set by the FDA and ASRM.
• Diverse donor pool: With hundreds of potential donors available, we can help match families of all types.
• User-friendly platform: Our intuitive interface makes it easy for intended parents to browse and connect with potential donors quickly.
• Available donors: We only show donor profiles that are actually available and not currently matched with other families. 

We also have a phenomenal team of professionals and industry-leading software tools that support our members every step of the way. 

Making your decision

While the ability to match quickly is certainly appealing, it's still a huge decision. We encourage all intended parents to take the time they need to feel confident in their choice.

Once you create your free account, you can sort candidates by a number of factors:

• Race
• Heritage
• Jewish ancestry
• Hair color
• Eye color
• Height
• Level of education
• School (if it’s Top 100, Top 50, Ivy League)
• Hair’s natural state (e.g. straight, curly)
• Personality (introvert, extrovert, ambivert)
• Thinker (left brain, right brain)
• And disclosure preference (see more on that below)

Once you go into the profile, you’ll be able to really get to know the member. Additional information included in the profile include:

• Photos from childhood and current day
• Dominant hand
• If they have dimples
• If they have freckles
• BMI
• Degree earned and major
• Job/career details
• Languages spoken 
• Musical instruments played
• Aptitudes in math, science, athletics, music, and art
• What school subjects they enjoyed the most and least
• Hobbies, interests, talents
• Short-term and long-term goals in life
• Greatest strengths
• Favorite book, movie, and food
• Detailed health record including blood type, allergies, medications, and health history for the donor and their family

We’ve made these profiles to really share the human-side of each donor. We are so fortunate to have an amazing group of women as part of our Split Program.

The donor egg selection process

The first step is to review profiles and favorite any donors that really resonate with your family. Here are some things you’ll want to spend time reviewing:

• Medical history: Review the egg donor's medical history to ensure your comfortable with their health history. Our donors have already been pre-qualified, going above and beyond FDA and ASRM-recommended screening guidelines. But that doesn’t mean they won’t have some health history (e.g. allergies, glasses, surgeries) for you to learn about.

• Physical characteristics: If you’re hoping for a donor that looks like you, you’ll want to learn more about the donor's physical characteristics, such as eye and hair color.
• Personality: Some people also consider the donor's personality, field of study/work, and hobbies to find a match that aligns with their values and interests.
• Privacy and disclosure status: Consider the level of disclosure and openness you prefer in your donor relationship. Some families prefer to have a more open relationship with their donor, while others prefer to keep things more private. Learn more about disclosure here. 

Once you find a donor, you can place a hold so no one else can match with that donor while your doctor reviews her profile. 

Our team is always available to provide support and guidance throughout this process, ensuring you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

The bottom line

At Cofertility, we've redesigned the egg donation process to be more efficient, transparent, and accessible. Whether you choose fresh or frozen egg donation, you can start your journey today without the frustration of long waiting lists.

While the timeline to match with a donor can be remarkably quick, the most important factor is finding the right match for your family. We're here to support you every step of the way, from your initial search to the moment you welcome your child into the world.

Ready to start your egg donation journey? Sign up today and take the first step towards building your family with Cofertility.