egg donation

Today, more than ever, women are choosing to delay parenthood for various reasons, including focusing on career advancement, establishing financial stability, and finding the right partner. To help with this, many are turning to egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation. Egg freezing has grown in popularity, with a 46% increase in egg freezing cycles from 2020 to 2021 alone! 

If you’re considering egg freezing, you may be wondering: Is egg freezing tax deductible? Let's delve into this topic to provide some much-needed clarity.

The basics of egg freezing

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a procedure where your eggs are extracted, frozen, and stored for later use. Because younger eggs are, on average, healthier, the egg freezing can increase your chances of conceiving a biological child in the future, even as your fertility naturally declines over time.

Despite the positive possibilities it offers, egg freezing is not an inexpensive procedure. The overall cost depends on the clinic you’re going to, where you are located, the medications you are prescribed (it differs based on your age and body), and where/how long you store the eggs. In the US in 2023, on average, the process can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 per cycle, not including annual storage fees. Thus, it's only natural for individuals to explore avenues for financial relief, such as tax deductions.

Understanding medical expense deductions

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States, certain medical expenses are eligible for tax deductions. The IRS's guidelines state that one can deduct medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of one's adjusted gross income for the year. So, if you have a significant amount of qualifying medical expenses in a year, you could potentially benefit from this tax deduction.

Egg freezing and tax deductions

Is egg freezing considered a deductible medical expense? The answer is complex and largely depends on your individual circumstances. As a baseline, the IRS has traditionally considered fertility preservation treatments, like egg freezing, to be tax-deductible only when they are deemed medically necessary. This typically refers to situations where a medical condition or treatment (such as chemotherapy for cancer) could cause infertility.

When it comes to egg freezing for elective, non-medically necessary reasons (such as delaying childbearing for personal reasons), the situation becomes more nuanced. And unfortunately, as of writing this article, the IRS has not issued definitive guidance on whether egg freezing for non-medical reasons qualifies as a tax-deductible medical expense.

Given this ambiguity, if you're considering egg freezing for elective reasons, it's highly recommended to consult with a tax professional. They can provide advice tailored to your specific situation and keep you informed of any changes or updates in tax law.

Employer benefits and HSAs

Another important aspect to consider is employer-provided benefits. Some progressive employers are starting to cover egg freezing as a part of their employee benefits package, in which case the question of tax deduction might be moot.

If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you might be able to use these pre-tax dollars to pay for egg freezing. However, the rules surrounding these accounts are complex and constantly evolving, so you’ll want to check with your plan administrator or a tax professional to ensure that this is a viable option for you.

Freeze your eggs for less – or even for free – with Cofertility

Cofertility is a human-first, tech-enabled fertility ecosystem that provides people agency over if, how, and when they have babies — today or someday. We have two programs for egg freezers:

1. Our Split program offers women a chance to freeze their eggs for free when donating half of the eggs retrieved to a family who cannot otherwise conceive. If you qualify for the program and decide to donate half of your retrieved eggs, every expense associated with the egg freezing procedure —  medications, supplements, travel if necessary, insurance, and 10 years of storage — are completely free of charge. We don’t even need a payment or credit card up front, as the family you match with covers all the expenses.
2. Our self-pay Keep program allows women to freeze their eggs and keep them all for their future use. Through Keep, we offer our members partnerships and discounts to lighten the financial load of egg freezing, as well as access to our member community. An important note: even if you do have insurance or benefits coverage through work, you’re still able to participate in the Keep program. We’ll work with you to make sure all of your care is handled in a way that you remain eligible for the associated benefits. 

The benefits of working with Cofertility include:

• Power of choice: Freeze your eggs more affordably or, if you qualify, freeze for free when you give half to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.
• Community: Our inclusive online spaces allow you to connect with others going through the process in our private online community.
• Compassion: We’ll always treat you with care, and our Split program gives you the opportunity to make someone’s family building dreams a reality.
• Data-driven: We provide you with trustworthy guidance and evidence-based research so you can make informed decisions about your fertility.
• Free egg freezing: Freeze and store your eggs for 10 years, entirely for free if you qualify for our Split program.

Ready to learn about more affordable (even free!) egg freezing with Cofertility? Fill out this quick quiz to learn about our accessible egg freezing options and see if you qualify for our programs — it only takes one minute.

Summing it up

Egg freezing is an empowering choice for those who want to preserve their eggs for future use. However, its high cost can be a barrier. While certain tax deductions may apply for medically necessary procedures, the applicability of tax deductions for elective egg freezing is less clear. You’ll want to seek personalized advice from a tax professional to understand your options fully. 

In the quest to make egg freezing more accessible, every avenue of financial relief counts. As the conversation surrounding egg freezing continues to evolve, so too may the tax implications. It’s an ever-changing landscape that we’ll be keeping a close eye on moving forward. 

Exactly what happens during the egg donation procedure, anyway? You’re excited about Cofertility’s Split Program, where those qualified get to freeze their  eggs for free when they donate half to a family that can’t conceive. Still, you're unsure about one thing — the egg retrieval procedure itself. You want to understand what goes into maturing more eggs, and how those eggs will be retrieved. It’s a big deal — we get it!

We outlined all the details about what to expect during the procedure—including the protocol leading up to your retrieval. The stimulation and retrieval process is the same as what takes place during egg freezing or IVF. Use this guide to get a glimpse into and help you navigate the process. 

How the egg donation process begins

At the start of your cycle, there are many tiny follicles with the potential to produce mature eggs. A follicle is a fluid-filled sac that continues to grow while the contained egg matures.

Usually, one follicle takes the lead. It grows faster than the rest, maturing before the others can. Once the egg inside fully develops, the follicle ruptures, releasing the egg during ovulation. This halts the other egg follicles in their tracks and never gives the immature eggs inside these follicles a chance to develop. These eggs are lost each month. 

If a woman is not pregnant, the cycle restarts with a new batch of potential follicles. But with the aid of certain medications, doctors can help ensure that many - not just one - follicles mature at the same time. 

The stimulation process

While the medications prescribed may be a little different for every cycle, most protocols to stimulate the ovaries during the egg donation are designed to do the following: 

1. Shut it down. Doctors will prescribe birth control or a progesterone-only pill to  shut your ovaries down for a couple of weeks before your cycle begins. This sets the stage for fertility drugs and makes it easier to control your ovaries' response to those meds. 
2. Stim it up. When it's time to start the cycle, your doctor will prescribe medication to stimulate your ovaries. These drugs are similar to hormones that your body already makes, but in higher amounts. One of these hormones produced by the body is the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), while the other is the luteinizing hormone (LH). Your doctor may prescribe medication similar to either of these, or a combination of the two. These medications are injectables, but you’ll receive proper training from your clinic before you have to give your first dose at home. You’ll need to take these injections once or twice a day for about two weeks. 
3. Ongoing check-ins. During the two weeks that you’re taking these medications, the doctor will continually monitor your progress. Blood work will help monitor your estrogen levels while a vaginal ultrasound will be used to view follicle growth. These monitoring visits will help your doctor decide if and how to adjust your medication doses. If you've never had a vaginal ultrasound, it may sound a little scary, but the probe is slightly bigger than the size of a tampon. It’s totally comfortable, but it shouldn’t hurt. 
4. Prevent Ovulation. Once your follicles reach a certain size, or your estrogen reaches a certain level, your doctor may start you on a medication to prevent premature ovulation. This medication is also done via injection and, if necessary, will be added to your daily routine. 
5. Go time. Once the doctor decides that your follicles are ready for retrieval, you'll take what's known as a “trigger shot.” This injection will help the growing eggs mature and prepare them for retrieval.
6. The egg retrieval. This is the only real “procedure” - the retrieval will be done outpatient (at the clinic, not the hospital) and will be done within 30 minutes. Your doctor will use a vaginal ultrasound with a needle attached. The needle will be guided into your ovary and used to aspirate the fluid in each follicle. With this fluid, will come eggs that can be used to create embryos. You will be under light anesthesia, so you won’t feel a thing and you will be provided medication to help you avoid any discomfort during or after the process. 
7. Recover. Right after the procedure, you may feel a bit foggy. The clinic will give you time to rest and your doctor will likely reiterate that you'll also need to take it easy for the next day or two. Physically, you can return to work or school the following day, but if you have the flexibility, you may want to take a day or two off to relax.

A highly-skilled clinical team will guide you through each of these steps in the egg donation process. Importantly, this team will help ensure that you don't develop  any issues, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is when your body responds too actively to the fertility medication and produces too many eggs. If you have symptoms of OHSS, these usually will resolve after a couple of weeks, says the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Navigating with ease

If you’re considering the Split program, remember that while you may be new to the process, your team is not. Your doctors and nurses (and Confertility’s community) will guide you every bit of the way and answer any questions you may have.

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is a hormone produced by the follicles in the ovaries (the fluid filled sacs that contain eggs). It requires a simple blood draw and is most often used as a marker of ovarian reserve. Ovarian reserve is the term for the number of healthy eggs left in your ovaries. Since people with ovaries are born with a fixed number of eggs, this number naturally declines over time. 

A low AMH level is usually related to natural aging, but it can also have other causes. In this article, we’ll explore what a low AMH result means and answer some common questions that can come up.

AMH and its role in fertility

So what exactly can AMH tell you about your fertility? As mentioned, your AMH level is positively correlated with the number of follicles you have in your ovaries. Simply put, the more follicles you have, the higher your AMH level typically is. As a result, AMH levels have been shown to be a good predictor of ovarian reserve and someone’s expected response to fertility treatments. 

In fact, several studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between what your AMH level is and the number of mature eggs retrieved during an egg freezing or in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. To learn more about those studies, check out AMH and Egg Retrieval Outcomes. 

What your AMH level can’t tell you is the exact number of eggs you have left in your ovaries or what your chances of pregnancy are. There are a number of other factors like your age, overall health, and genetics that also affect the number and quality of eggs and your overall fertility. So while AMH can be a useful tool in assessing your fertility, it shouldn’t be the only factor when making decisions about fertility treatments.

What is a low AMH result?

As with most things in medicine, there’s no absolute answer here. What is considered a low, normal, or high AMH level depends on your age and the lab where you take the test. Since there is no international standard, it’s best to use the reference ranges that come with your test results.

In general, an AMH between 1.0 and 3.5 ng/mL is considered to be in the “normal” range, which means you’re likely to have a good response to fertility treatments. Anything below 1.0 ng/mL is considered low and a sign of a declining ovarian reserve.

What does a low AMH mean?

Having a low AMH level can be a sign that your ovaries are making less of the preantral follicles. The lower the number of follicles, the lower your ovarian reserve is. 

So what does this mean in terms of fertility?

First, having a lower AMH does not automatically mean you aren’t ovulating regularly or that you won’t be able to get pregnant naturally or with assisted reproductive technologies. However, research has found that what AMH is good at predicting is the response to ovarian stimulation and the number of eggs retrieved, regardless of a person’s age. So, someone with a higher AMH is generally expected to be able to get more eggs in one cycle than someone with a lower AMH. Because of this, fertility doctors typically use AMH levels (along with other information) to figure out the drugs and dosages you’ll need to maximize your response to ovarian stimulation medications. 

If you’re trying to conceive naturally, you’ll be glad to hear that multiple studies have shown that AMH does not correlate with how likely you are to actually get pregnant. In fact, one study looked at levels of AMH, FSH, and another ovarian hormone, inhibin B and tracked people for a year. They found that there was no correlation between someone’s ovarian reserve and their ability to conceive and that a low ovarian reserve was not associated with lower fertility. As a result, they did not recommend the use of FSH or AMH levels to “assess natural fertility.”

Reasons AMH would be low

There are a few reasons that could explain a low AMH. Let’s explore them.

Natural decline with aging

By far, the most common reason for a low AMH is age. People with ovaries are born with all the eggs that they’re going to have in their lifetime. These eggs are then slowly used up over time as you ovulate during each menstrual cycle until menopause is reached. As a result, ovarian reserve naturally decreases over time, meaning the AMH level also decreases. 

Hormonal birth control

Research suggests that hormonal birth control may affect AMH levels but it depends on the type of birth control. Specifically, birth control use is associated with a lower average AMH level than for people who are not on birth control, with the exact effect depending on the type of birth control. 

The amount of time you’re on birth control may also be a factor. Multiple studies have shown that AMH doesn't change if you use combined oral contraceptive pills for less than six months. However, you may have a lower AMH if you’ve been a long-term user of the pill (or other hormonal methods). Thankfully, this is temporary – AMH levels typically rebound after a person stops using birth control.

You can learn more about birth control and AMH here.

Tobacco use

Studies have shown that tobacco use, usually cigarette smoking, decreases AMH levels. This effect appears to be reversible though–it was only seen in people who were active smokers, not people who had previously smoked. 

Less common causes 

There are several other, less common causes for a low AMH level. These include:

• Genetic disorders that affect the X chromosome.
• Medical treatments like radiation or chemotherapy.
• Having surgery on your ovaries.
• Losing one or both of your ovaries.
• Autoimmune conditions.

Can I still donate my eggs with a low AMH?

If you are looking to donate your eggs, minimum AMH requirements are usually 2.0 or above. With Cofertility’s Split program, we require a minimum AMH of 2.0, though clinics may have their own unique requirements. This is to increase the chances of retrieving enough eggs to actually split, to ensure positive outcomes for both parties involved.

What to do if you have a low AMH result

Finding out you have a low AMH can be disheartening, especially if you had future fertility plans that you’re worried may be affected. While there’s unfortunately not much that can be done to reverse a low AMH, there is still hope for starting a family someday even with a low AMH. With the exception of birth control or cigarette smoking, most studies have shown that lifestyle changes like diet or supplements have an insignificant effect on AMH levels but despite this, I promise it’s not all gloom and doom. 

Let’s go through a few things you can do as you move forward with this new information. 

Lean on your village

The first thing to do is take a deeeeeep breath… There are a lot of nuances involved here which can make it hard not to get lost in the weeds. Fertility is impacted by so many different things that you can drive yourself crazy trying to manage all of them. 

Having friends, family, and mental health specialists available to support you when you need it is going to be crucial. Navigating fertility is hard no matter what, so having people around you who you can lean on on bad days and celebrate with on good days will help immensely. 

Consult a fertility specialist

Speaking of your village, it should definitely include a fertility specialist. Consulting with a fertility doctor can help you better understand your reproductive health and provide guidance on any concerns or questions you may have. They’ll be able to review your specific options and work with you on a plan that helps you reach your family-building goals. This treatment plan will depend on a lot of things including how soon you want to have a child, how many children you want to have, your finances, and your desire to have a child who is genetically related to you. 

So does this mean I have to freeze my eggs ASAP?

This is typically the first question people ask and the answer is not necessarily. As mentioned before, there are many other factors involved in assessing your fertility and modern technology has allowed for advances that make family building a possibility for virtually everyone. Your fertility specialist will be able to discuss all the options for starting a family based on your unique family-building goals. This could certainly include freezing your eggs for later use but it could also mean trying to conceive unassisted, undergoing IVF with your own eggs or with donor eggs, using a gestational carrier, or even options beyond these. Again, this is something that will require you to examine your personal goals and work with your provider to figure out the best way to reach them. 

You are not a number

Repeat after me: you are more than one number! Your AMH level provides valuable insights into your ovarian reserve, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to your fertility. AMH is always used as part of a full fertility evaluation, which often includes information about your medical history and age, a partner semen analysis, an ultrasound of the pelvis, an x-ray of the uterus and fallopian tubes, and/or additional lab work.

If that sounds like a lot, it is. This process can be overwhelming but focusing on the things that you can control can help you feel more grounded during your fertility journey, whatever that may look like.

How Cofertility can help

Cofertility is here to help you every step of the way on that journey. Our Split program offers women a chance to freeze their eggs for free when donating half the eggs retrieved to a family who cannot conceive otherwise. If you qualify for the program and decide to donate half of your retrieved eggs, every expense associated with the egg freezing procedure —  medications, supplements, travel if necessary, insurance, and 10 years of storage — are completely free of charge. We don’t even need a payment or credit card up front, as the family you match with covers all the expenses.

In our Keep program, you can freeze and store your eggs for your own future use, with lower prices on things like storage and medication. as well as our team’s support and access to our community.In addition, you’ll have access to our team’s support and access to our community where you can engage with other people freezing their eggs at the same time! 

Your journey is uniquely yours and our team is here to help you through it in whatever way you need.

Egg donation is a generous act that can help people struggling with infertility build their families. It is a decision that requires careful consideration and understanding of the process and potential implications involved. 

One question that often arises in the minds of prospective donors is whether they will regret their decision to donate their eggs. In this article, we will explore the various factors that can influence the decision to donate eggs and the potential emotional and physical effects of egg donation.

Deciding to donate your eggs

Egg donation is not for everyone. And the decision to donate eggs is a deeply personal one, often driven by the desire to help a family struggling to conceive. Many donors find it rewarding to know that they have helped someone else fulfill their dream of having a child. 

In addition to those struggling with infertility, there are other groups of individuals who may need the help of an egg donor. For example, cancer survivors who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy may have reduced fertility or premature menopause. By using donor eggs in IVF, these individuals can have a chance at conceiving and starting a family. 

Additionally, LGBTQ+ couples or individuals who wish to start a family may need the help of an egg donor. We work with a lot of gay dads, for instance, who need a donor egg to create an embryo that can be carried by a surrogate. By donating your eggs, you have the potential to help individuals and families of all kinds achieve their dream of starting a family.

What the research says about egg donation regret

Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of studies published on egg donors. But looking at the few studies that do exist, it appears as though egg donors are generally happy with their decision and usually do not regret it. Let’s dive in:

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Study: Egg donation--the donor's view [1]

Who: 113 egg donors in the UK

Findings: 95% had no regrets concerning their donation, and 72% would donate again

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Study: Gamete donors' satisfaction [2]

Who: 165 egg donors in Sweden

Findings: 85.9% were satisfied with their overall experience of being an egg donor 

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Study: Emotional and relational aspects of egg-sharing [3]

Who: 48 egg-sharing donors (similar to our Split program, where donors keep half the eggs retrieved)

Findings: 83.3% would donate again and only 2.1% regretted their decision to participate

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Study: A comparison of the attitudes of volunteer donors and infertile patient donors on an ovum donation programme [4]

Who: 20 anonymous volunteer (unpaid) donors

Findings: 90% would donate again

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Anecdotally speaking, donors we work with at Cofertility are grateful for the opportunity to donate their eggs and keep half of the eggs retrieved for their own future use, for free. 

Physical risks and side effects of egg donation

Egg freezing is considered a safe procedure. It is a low-risk (but not zero risk) procedure. In a single egg freezing cycle, the risk of a serious adverse event is under 2.5%. Severe ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS) accounts for the majority of complications, occuring in 0.1-2% of cycles. The risk of other acute complications, including pelvic infection, intraperitoneal hemorrhage, or ovarian torsion, is even smaller (<0.5%). This data is from a group of egg freezers; you can imagine the number would be even lower for egg donors who have gone through more rigorous health screening in advance of the retrieval. 

That being said, many women do experience minor side effects – like bloating, constipation, nausea – from the medications and egg retrieval. 

Emotional effects of egg donation 

The emotional effects of egg donation can vary from person to person and can be influenced by several factors, including your expectations and understanding of the experience. Many donors find the experience rewarding and fulfilling, knowing that they have helped someone else start or expand their family. However, some donors may experience more complicated feelings about it. This is why our donors undergo psychological screening – to ensure they are mentally prepared. 

It is important to have a strong support system in place during the egg freezing and donation process. This can include friends, family, and healthcare providers who can provide emotional support and guidance. If you freeze your eggs through Cofertility, you’ll be connected with a cohort of others freezing their eggs at the same time. We offer an online support group, and our entire team of experts will be behind you the entire time. 

At Cofertility, you have a say on who your eggs go to

Some agencies downplay the magnitude of the impact you are making as an egg donor. Bringing a new human into this world is a HUGE deal! We believe donors should have a say in where their eggs go. This is why, with Cofertility, you get to opt-in to any match. You’ll get to learn a little about the family, even meet them virtually (if you’d like), and decide if you want to move forward. You also get to specify your communication preferences up front, giving you real options in the process.

Bottom line

If you are considering egg donation, it is essential to find a reputable and trustworthy egg donation agency. An agency that values the well-being and autonomy of donors is crucial to a positive egg donation experience. When researching agencies, look for those that prioritize your safety, provide comprehensive medical care, and offer supportive services to donors. Find an agency that will treat you with respect, dignity, and professionalism throughout - and beyond - the donation process.

At Cofertility, we are striving to be the best place to be an egg donor (or what we call, a Split Member). We offer a supportive and transparent process that empowers donors to make informed decisions about their egg donation journey. With our innovative approach, donors get to keep half of the eggs retrieved, plus storage for 10 years, entirely for free. 

We believe that every donor deserves to have a positive and empowering experience, and we are committed to making that a reality. That’s why Cofertility was named one of the Best Egg Donor Programs by Egg Donor Connect. 

Interested in egg donation with Cofertility? You can start by taking a short quiz to see if you’re eligible for our Split program. We’re appreciative of your desire to help another family and are excited to be on this journey with you. 

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Sources:

1. Byrd LM, Sidebotham M, Lieberman B. Egg donation--the donor's view: an aid to future recruitment. Hum Fertil (Camb). 2002;5(4):175-182. doi:10.1080/1464727022000199082
2. Skoog Svanberg A, Lampic C, Gejerwall AL, et al. Gamete donors' satisfaction; gender differences and similarities among oocyte and sperm donors in a national sample. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2013;92(9):1049-1056. doi:10.1111/aogs.12156
3. Gürtin ZB, Ahuja KK, Golombok S. Emotional and relational aspects of egg-sharing: egg-share donors' and recipients' feelings about each other, each others' treatment outcome and any resulting children. Hum Reprod. 2012;27(6):1690-1701. doi:10.1093/humrep/des085
4. Power M, Baber R, Abdalla H, Kirkland A, Leonard T, Studd JW. A comparison of the attitudes of volunteer donors and infertile patient donors on an ovum donation programme. Hum Reprod. 1990;5(3):352-355. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137104

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Whether donating time, money, hair, blood, we donate because we believe it makes the world a better place. We are wired to feel happy, and when we give we not only feel happy, we also feel a sense of connectedness to those around us. Egg donation is one of those things that can not only make you feel as though you are making a difference, but an act that can create life and family tree branches that may never have existed otherwise. 

Deciding to donate your eggs is a generous and compassionate act that provides hope to many families dreaming of a child. So even though the decision to donate your eggs may be an easy one, sometimes deciding if you should or should not tell friends and family about your donation, may not be as easy. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the considerations for sharing your egg donation journey. 

Should I tell my family I’m an egg donor? 

While there is no right answer, one thing is for certain, your decision to donate is yours and your alone and so is your decision to tell or not tell. This means you are the one who can best make this decision.

So when thinking through this decision, it is helpful to think about the relationships you have and what you feel comfortable telling those close to you. How supportive will they be about your decision? Do you feel afraid they might criticize you or not understand why you would want to do this, or try and talk you out of it? What is your fear or concern about telling, and how do you think this information will impact your relationships?

Something else to keep in mind is that when the egg donation process starts, you will be required to self-administer hormone injections for approximately two weeks. You will also need to have daily medical ultrasound appointments. And since egg donation is a medical procedure, you will not be able to drive home alone and will need someone to be with you after the retrieval. You may even need a few days off from work or school if you experience side effects. So, if you live with friends or family, it may not be easy to keep it from them. 

Also you need to keep in mind that donating your eggs doesn’t just impact you. It impacts your entire genetic family because now they too will be genetically connected to the offspring conceived using your eggs. For example, if you decide not to discuss your egg donation with your family and keep it all under wraps, what happens if in a few years your mother does an at-home-DNA test and sees that she has a ‘grandchild’ out there. Would you rather just explain as things like this come along or would you rather prepare your family members beforehand? 

If you do decide to talk about your plans to donate your eggs, be ready for a wide range of responses, including negative reactions, and uneducated (but well meaning) questions and opinions on the topic. Also be prepared for a lot of surprise and praise and revelations about their own fertility journeys. 

Does my significant other have to know I’m donating eggs?

Just as noted above, because of the medical process related to egg donation, it may be difficult to not have your significant other involved, especially if birth control methods need to change. If you include your partner from day one, they might feel more comfortable and supportive of your decision to donate because they will be well educated about egg donation. 

However, even if they are involved from the beginning, some may still not feel comfortable with this decision because of how they view the potential donor conceived person - they may still see this person as an extension of you and that may be uncomfortable. And if you already have children, your partner may be concerned about any potential impact on the donor-conceived person’s relationship with your children. In these cases, clarifying roles and educating partners will be very important. 

Benefits of sharing 

The benefits of telling your friends and family during the process means they can provide emotional and practical support, such as helping with injections or driving you to your appointments, and helping care for you after the retrieval.  Also, talking about your donation helps educate people and remove some of the stigma that comes along with egg donation. It can also help you learn more about your family tree, their background and health histories. 

How do I tell people I’m donating my eggs? 

If you decide to tell family / friends about your decision to be an egg donor, start off by talking about your motivating factors, such as your desire to help parents build their families. Give them facts about why people need donors and who these people are… put a human face to it. Give whatever information you feel comfortable sharing, let them absorb, process, and then come back to you with more questions. 

How do I tell my future (or current) children I donated my eggs?

Telling your children about your experience as an egg donor teaches them by example the importance of giving and good will, and the idea that we are all connected. How you approach the subject will make a big difference on how they receive the information. If you approach it with pride and honesty, they too will receive it in a very positive manner. 

Depending on their age and level of understanding, children’s reactions vary. Younger children usually cope well with the information, especially if you explain it in age appropriate language. Older children may also have various reactions. Sometimes they just need more time to process it, including a need to understand how it will impact them and their lives. 

Regardless, keep it simple. Explain your reasoning. Describe the process. If you know, tell them about the parents you helped and the outcome. 

Summing it up

The world of infertility treatment is changing. At one time, needing help to create a family was a matter of secrecy.  But now because of human generosity and the incredible advancement of technology, people who never believed it possible, can be parents. Further, medical societies and research encourage parents to tell their child how they were conceived. In the same manner, donors are also advised to be open about their donation. You might be surprised by the support and praise you receive from your friends and family. 

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Cofertility is in the “family” business, striving to make egg freezing and third-party reproduction more human-centered and accessible for all. Our Freeze by Co program allows you to freeze your eggs for free, when you give half to a family who can't otherwise conceive

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Warning: This article contains spoilers for Season 2 of The Sex Lives of College Girls.

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At Cofertility, we are so thrilled that conversations about reproductive health are making their way into the limelight. From Jennifer Aniston opening up about how she wishes she froze her eggs at a younger age, to the latest season of The Sex Lives of College Girls, where Kimberly decides to donate (or as she refers to it, “sell”) her eggs in order to pay her college tuition, we love to see women becoming more educated on their fertility.

Our team has been watching this season obsessively (and spending way too much time talking about it during our daily meetings), and are overall so appreciative of how Kimberly’s donation journey was portrayed. Creators Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble have taken what has been traditionally portrayed as an overly-clinical, overwhelming process and humanized it — showing the reality of what egg freezing or donation cycles can look like for the modern woman. Here are just some of our team’s favorite aspects of the portrayal of Kimberly’s journey:

You don’t have to put your life on pause.

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The process of donating (or freezing) your eggs involves a medical procedure and should be taken seriously, but as Kimberly shows us (with the help of her roommate, Leighton) in Season 2 Ep. 5, that doesn’t mean you have to put your entire life on hold. 

While there are some things you’ll have to avoid, such as heavy exercise, alcohol, and sex, you won’t be pinned to your couch for three weeks while you prepare for your retrieval. You’ll need to stay local to your clinic for your monitoring appointments, but other than that, keep doing you.

Overall, the medical process of donating your eggs is the same process as freezing your eggs. If you’re curious to learn more about what that looks like, (and even how you can freeze your eggs for free when you donate half) we’ve got you covered.

Egg banks often target women in tough financial situations

Kimberly first learns about “selling” her eggs after getting denied a student loan that she desperately needed. If the thought of this gives you the ick—you’re not alone.

It’s true that the egg donation industry has historically targeted individuals in poor financial situations, and we wholeheartedly agree with the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)’s stance that financial compensation for egg donation opens the door for exploitation.

Additionally, $80K for a single cycle is a pretty unrealistic expectation, given that the average compensation is more like $3,500 - $5,000 per cycle. 

However, women who donate their eggs are truly giving intended parents the invaluable opportunity to fulfill their family-building dreams, and that deserves to be recognized. That’s why we created our Split program, which eliminates the icky-ness of financial compensation by instead giving our members the opportunity to freeze their eggs for free for their own reproductive future when they give half of the retrieved eggs to another family that can’t otherwise conceive.

Your squad is everything

Though going through an egg retrieval is considered a low-risk procedure, it’s not something that you should feel like you’re doing alone. On the day of your retrieval appointment, you’ll need to bring a companion with you since you’ll be put under anesthesia, but as we saw in The Sex Lives of College Girls Season 2 Episode 5, having your crew on deck for emotional support makes all the difference in making sure you feel empowered through this epic journey. 

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It’s more than just “selling your eggs”

Donating your eggs is a huge decision—one that goes far beyond a bank deposit after the fact. When you donate your eggs, you’re not just donating your eggs, you’re donating genetic material that will someday be used to bring a new life into this world, so there’s a lot to be considered.

To quote straight from Kimberly’s pro-con list, the possibility that you’ll “run into future kids at a shopping mall” may sound crazy, but it hints at the reality that we live in a world where anyone can walk into their local pharmacy and purchase a DNA test off the shelf for less than $100, and there is really no such thing as a truly anonymous egg donation experience.

At Cofertility, we take a firm stance in our belief that anonymous egg donation is wrong. We have invested in consulting with the donor-conceived community and truly believe that disclosed relationships are in the best interest of all parties involved, especially the donor-conceived children. So if you’re considering donating your eggs, make sure to keep in mind that the child or children conceived from those eggs may want to reach out to you in the future.

Additionally, Kimberly’s pro of “a cute gay couple uses my eggs” is one that is definitely within the realm of possibility, and one that we wholeheartedly support. The way we build families is more dynamic than ever, and at Cofertility, we work with countless LGBTQ+ intended parents to help make their family-building dreams a reality. If you’ve ever considered donating your eggs to a gay couple who needs them, this is a great way to do that.

Summary

At Cofertility, we’re on a mission to make the process of donating and freezing your eggs more accessible, human-centric, and supported. If you’re thinking about this as an option for yourself, we want you to know that we’re here for you. To see if you qualify for our Split program, where you can donate your eggs while freezing half of the retrieved eggs for your own future use, click here to take our free, two-minute quiz.

Our Split program offers women the chance to freeze half their own eggs and donate the other half to a family who cannot conceive otherwise. If you’re eligible for the program, by meeting Cofertility’s requirements, and decide to donate half of your retrieved eggs, your egg freezing procedure, medications, and ten years of storage will be completely free of charge. 

Freezing your eggs—and, potentially, donating some eggs—undoubtedly brings up lots of big questions that are important to talk about. Let’s dive into all the information you need to know about our Split program. 

Where do my donated eggs go?

Many types of families need donated eggs to grow their family, including couples facing infertility, LGBTQ+ couples, cancer survivors, women with age-related fertility decline, and more. We welcome all intended parents to use our platform to find their match. 

Who qualifies for the Split program?

While we’d love to have as many women join our Split program as possible, we do follow guidelines designed to protect the health and wellbeing of the donors and intended parents. 

To qualify for the program, among other factors, you must:

• Have both ovaries
• Be between ages 21-33
• Have a BMI less than 29, due to limitations on medication administration and egg retrieval complexities
• Be physically and emotionally healthy with no genetic or reproductive disorders/abnormalities
• Be a non-smoker and abstain from recreational drugs or Depo Provera birth control 

If you're currently pregnant or breastfeeding, you may still be eligible, but you'll have to wait until you have stopped breastfeeding and have had at least one menstrual cycle before you can begin your egg retrieval. Lastly, you must also be willing to provide a complete medical history about yourself and your biological family members, as they may have other disqualifying factors. 

How does the process work?

We’re so glad you asked. Here’s a quick overview of how the application, matching and retrieval process works. 

Take the quiz 

To kick off the process, take our quiz and tell us a bit about yourself. This only takes about a minute and gives a sense of what programs you might be qualified for.

Submit your program application 

Based on your quiz responses, if you’re eligible to move forward with applying for Split, you can complete the full program application at this time. This application determines if you qualify for the program, and helps create and personalize your profile so intended parents can get a feel for who you are and if you would be a good match for their family.

Call with our team 

Once you pass this first phase, you’ll have a call with a Member Advocate to ensure you are ready for the process. You’ll get to ask any outstanding questions before your profile is shared with intended parents. 

Once your profile is listed on the platform, intended parents will be able to determine whether you are the right match for their family. The timeline for this varies. But, know that you’ll always be able to switch into Cofertility’s Keep program if you decide you don’t want to wait any longer to freeze your own eggs. 

Sign the Split program agreement

After you have your call with our team, we will send you an agreement to signify your intent to proceed with the Split program. Don’t worry, this agreement is non-binding up until the point at which you start your egg retrieval. The agreement is written in easy-to-understand language and we are here to answer any questions you have! 

Complete initial testing (AMH)

After your program call and signing the agreement, you will complete a free AMH test, or Anti-Mullerian Hormone, at a local lab near you. Understanding your ovarian reserve through an AMH test is an important step for egg freezing and donation. 

Fertility doctors typically consider an AMH level above 2.0 ng/ml as a good indicator for egg donation, and this is the benchmark used at Cofertility. That's because this level suggests that a Split member is likely to respond well to fertility treatments and produce a sufficient number of eggs for both donation and personal use. This allows us to proceed with your egg retrieval process in a manner that is both safe and effective. If your AMH falls under this level, our team is here to help you find the best path forward in your egg freezing journey.

Match with an intended parent 

Your profile will be listed on our platform for intended parents to view. Once you’ve been matched with intended parents, you’ll have a dedicated Member Advocate to walk you through next steps - and they’ll be with you throughout the entire journey! You will have the option to meet the intended parents - either in person or via Zoom - before moving forward with your screenings.

You could match with intended parents quickly or it could take a while, but know that you’ll always be able to switch into our Keep program if you decide you don’t want to wait. 

Complete further screening 

Once you have officially matched with the intended parents, you’ll undergo a physical screening based on FDA, ASRM and industry guidelines. This will also include bloodwork and a (fairly painless) vaginal ultrasound to determine how many eggs you have in your ovarian reserve and if you would be a good fit for Split. Depending on where you and the intended parents’ are located, the testing may take place at a clinic near you or there some travel may be required. Our team will organize the travel and help make this easy for you.

Start your egg freezing cycle 

If you get the green light and are accepted into Split, you’ll move onto the stimulation phase. This is the phase where you’ll take injectable medications to stimulate your ovaries to bring as many eggs to maturity as possible and get you ready for retrieval. This can sound scary, but we’ve got lots of helpful tutorials to walk you through it all. You’ll also be monitored  by a local fertility clinic throughout the process to check on how things are progressing. This full stimulation period usually takes 10-14 days. 

Retrieve your eggs

Once your eggs have reached the point of peak maturity and they’re ready to be retrieved, you’ll head back to the clinic for this procedure. This outpatient procedure takes about 30 minutes, and you’ll be under light anesthesia. The doctor will use a vaginal ultrasound to remove the eggs. 

Immediately upon retrieval, half the retrieved eggs will be frozen and stored for you for free for 10 years. You can access those eggs at any time and have them shipped to the fertility clinic of your choosing should you need them. The other half of the retrieved eggs will go to the intended parents and can be fertilized with the intended parents’ sperm of choice.

In the event that an odd number of eggs is retrieved, the “additional” egg will go to the intended parents. 

Next steps 

Depending on the number of eggs you’re able to retrieve in the first cycle, you can decide if you want to complete a second cycle so that you can donate again or have more eggs to keep for your future use. 

For women under 35, studies show that the average number of eggs retrieved is 18-21, a number that is tightly correlated with AMH (anti-mullerian hormone) levels—which are tested as part of the screening process. The same studies show that freezing just nine eggs gave those women a 70% chance at a live birth. 

What will I know about potential genetic offspring and what will they know about me? 

In the case a donor-conceived child experiences a serious medical condition, you may need to provide medical information to us, the fertility clinic, or the intended parents. Also, if new information comes up about your medical history, we’ll need you to let us know. The intended parents are required to do the same. This is in everyone’s best interest so everyone can be made aware of unknown medical conditions which can occur.     

That being said, when you apply, you’ll have the choice to indicate a desire for Disclosed or Undisclosed donation. 

• Disclosed: You meet the family (virtually or by phone is fine) before proceeding with the match. The level of relationship after the match is what both parties make of it. 
• Undisclosed: You match with a family without meeting them, and only communicate via Cofertility. No contact info is exchanged. Note that if both parties are interested, we can facilitate a phone or video meeting in which you can speak without sharing names.

Note that with today’s widely available genetic tests, it is extremely difficult to guarantee anonymity. There have also been changes in some state laws that give donor-conceived children more access to information about their donors, meaning it’s possible that identity and shared genetics may be discovered or made more broadly available by law even if you chose to be Undisclosed. 

Overall, we take a human-based approach. Based on psychological wellbeing research, we encourage families to be open to their children about their conception story and donor-conceived roots. As donor-conceived children grow up, they may be curious about their genetics and want to reach out with their own questions. This is something to consider prior to moving forward with the Split program. 

Summing it up

We know, first-hand, that freezing your eggs—especially when donating half—is a big decision that isn’t to be taken lightly. Our hope is that this overview (along with tons more helpful material along the way!) provides a solid foundation about our Split program so you can feel totally confident in navigating whether joining Split is right for you.

While in theory, the idea of egg freezing would have many raising their hands to give this a try, practically speaking it may be more complicated. There are real-world factors to consider: Do I need to freeze my eggs? Will I actually need them down the line? Am I a good candidate? And if so, would it actually fit into my budget, and are the logistics really feasible?

No need to wonder. Here’s what you need to know to make egg freezing possible in reality and the sort of programs where you can bring this to fruition.

Affordable egg freezing programs

We at Cofertility are dedicated to the idea that egg freezing should be more accessible. To make it possible for more of those who are interested, we have designed two different programs that prioritize different aspects of egg freezing. Take our quiz to see if you qualify for these programs.

Paying for keeps

With our “Keep” program, it’s about maximizing the number of eggs that you freeze, geared to enabling many people to be able to answer the question, “Can I freeze my eggs?” with a big, “Yes.”

As a member in this program, you get access to discounted prices we’ve negotiated with clinics and pharmacies, as well as a community of women also freezing their eggs at the same time. With this Keep program we give more leeway on exactly who can participate. While we are aware that research shows that fertility starts to decrease considerably after age 35, you can still take part in the program as long as you are under age 40.

This is egg freezing with real world families in mind, with steps taken to make fees more affordable. The idea is to lighten the load and to make budgeting for egg freezing that much easier, while bringing a little more joy and positivity to the process

The Split cycle

With our Split program, it’s all about taking budgeting out of the equation altogether, while helping another family. 

As a Split program member, if you qualify, you don’t have to set money aside for these burdensome costs at all – they are free as part of the program, including up to ten-years of storage. In return, you give half of your retrieved eggs from a cycle to someone who would be otherwise unable to conceive. The family receiving the donated eggs pays for all the costs to freeze and store your eggs, for their use to build a family now, and your use in the future. 

But, because we are splitting the number of eggs here, every single one counts that much more. So, we need to be more stringent in determining who can become a Split member. 

Important X factors

One of the factors that we weigh heavily for the Split program is age. In order to participate, you cannot be over age 34. That’s because data shows that, on average, those over 35 may not respond to fertility medication as well and therefore may not produce as many eggs. Also, research shows that, unfortunately, egg quality declines with age. 

Given the amount of time it may take to do initial testing and to match you with an intended parent, we have aligned our policy with ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) guidance on this and limit membership here to those who have not yet turned 34. This way if there’s a hiccup along the way, you won’t have to miss out — there should still be sufficient time to participate in the program.

Another factor to consider is what’s known as your anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels. These levels signal how responsive your ovaries are likely to be to medication given to stimulate them to produce multiple eggs. If this number is pretty high, it usually means that your ovaries will respond well to stimulation. 

If at the time of initial screening, your ovarian reserve appears low based on your ultrasound and bloodwork, you, unfortunately, will not be eligible for the Split program, although you can still become a Keep member and achieve your goals that way. The ASRM guidance underscores the importance of considering biomarkers that indicate a donor’s potential ovarian reserve as part of the selection process. Scientists have found the AMH serum range of 2.20 to 6.8 ng/ml to be the one that research predicts will show if someone has enough ovarian reserve. This indicates how you will likely respond during an egg freezing cycle. 

No matter your ovarian reserve, you can still freeze your eggs. You just may not qualify for our Split program. That’s because we want to ensure that enough eggs are produced in the cycle to make it worthwhile for everyone after the eggs are divided, without your feeling that you’ve come up short and won’t be happy unless you do another cycle.

If you’re among those who qualify though, as many in their fertility prime may be able, this can be a golden opportunity. Feel free to read more about qualifications for joining our Split program.

Logistics

There is, of course, also the question of where you’ll need to go to make all this happen. 

If you’re a Split member, your initial physical screening takes place after you are matched with an intended parent. This includes some blood work and a vaginal ultrasound, which helps determine if this program will work for you, and will likely take place somewhere between where you and the intended parent’s locale. If any travel is needed though, our team will help you to make this happen, doing the necessary organizing. But monitoring for the cycle itself can be done at a local clinic right in your own area.

Meanwhile, Keep members have the flexibility to do the testing as well as the cycle locally, where it’s most convenient. 

Can you freeze your eggs? 

So, is this something that could practically work for you? Both of our programs are designed to make this feasible for a wide-variety of women. We try to keep costs down for Keep members while offering added flexibility to pursue their egg freezing goals. Meanwhile, for Split members the financial barriers are removed altogether.

Hopefully, this helps you to see how, practically speaking, you too can raise your hand up high and answer the question, “Can you freeze your eggs?” with a giant, yes, to make egg freezing in reality.

Freezing your eggs is a big decision — one that we know, first-hand, can take time to think through — and freezing and sharing your eggs with another family is an even more weighted one. With our Split program, you can freeze your eggs for free when you give half to a family who can’t conceive. But beyond that, there’s even more that will come out of your Split program journey. 

By freezing your eggs with Freeze by Co’s Split program, you’ll get to:

1. Invest in your reproductive future

Having kids may be way off your radar today. But if you might want children one day, freezing your eggs may help keep that possibility on the table. We believe in making that possibility as accessible as possible. 

2. Do something life-changing for another family

By giving half of your eggs to another family who can’t conceive — whether it’s a couple with infertility, LGBTQ+ parents, or parents with other medical challenges — you’re making their family-building dreams possible. And that’s something truly incredible. 

3. Empower yourself with knowledge about your body

By freezing your eggs, you’ll get an insight into the hormones and ovarian reserve levels that make up your fertility health. 

4. Gain access to your own genetic family history

Once you match with a family, all Split members undergo genetic testing. This knowledge about your genetics could be super important down the line if you start to think about having kids. 

5. Receive concierge-level support throughout the process

If you’re part of our Split program, we’ll hold your hand every step of the way. With direct access to our founders and our community of other women going through the process at the same time,  you’re never alone. 

We’re so excited for you. And remember, we’re always here to help. 

Perhaps the idea of egg freezing is something that you’ve thought about before. For many of us, though, cost can be a big barrier. You might be hoping to find an affordable egg freezing program that can allow you to freeze your eggs now and store them without breaking the bank, as you pursue your own agenda.

Is this just a pipe dream? With Freeze by Co, it’s actually…not. Read about how our new option can enable you to give the idea of egg freezing another look, with—wait for it—free egg freezing. And you get to help a family along the way.

An affordable innovation

With some egg freezing programs, fees can run into the thousands initially and grow every year. But at Freeze by Co, it is our goal to make the process as affordable as possible. This led us to develop what we call our Split program.

With the Split program, if you are eligible, the premise is simple: for each cycle you undergo, you keep half of the eggs for yourself at absolutely no charge, plus up to ten years of storage, when you give the other half of the retrieved eggs to another family who can’t otherwise conceive. All of your medical expenses and travel related to egg freezing is covered as well.

What you get as a Split member

In addition to giving a life-changing gift to another family, as a Split member, you are entitled to the following for free with your egg freezing cycle:

• Testing
• Medication
• Egg retrieval
• Egg freezing and storage
• Procedure insurance
• Travel
  

In addition to lightening your own financial load, the good you’ll be doing will be immeasurable.

Is it a fit?

To participate in Split, you must meet certain industry- and government-based criteria, including: 

• Being between 21 and 33 years old. Age is a factor that contributes to waning fertility, which, while not true for everyone, tends to decline at age 35. Since the process leading up to egg donation can take time, we cap the program at age 33, as consistent with guidelines set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). 
• Having two ovaries
• Enjoying good physical and emotional health, without any reproductive issues or genetic abnormalities
• Having a body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 29 to enable optimal medication administration and egg retrieval outcomes
• Having avoided smoking and recreational drug use or Depo Provera injection as a mode of birth control

To learn more about all disqualifications for our Split program, click here.

To find out if our Split program is a way that we can help you reach your egg freezing goals, here’s how the process works:

Getting started

First, take our brief quiz to learn more about our Split program and see if you’re a potential fit. It just takes a few minutes. 

Applying for membership

Then, if you’ve pre-qualified, you move on to the application process. This is your chance to tell us more about your background and create a profile for intended parents to see and hopefully connect with. It will also help finalize your acceptance into the program.

The interview process

Next, we chat. You get to ask us any questions about the process and get to know us, as we get to know you as well. We’ll walk you through all program logistics and frequently asked questions so you feel completely comfortable with it all. 

Find a match

Once you’ve been fully accepted into the program, the matching process begins. When your profile has been selected by intended parents, you’ll have the opportunity to accept the match. If you agree it’s a good fit, then the screening and freezing process can begin.

Screening

During the screening phase, we’ll get a sense of your ovarian reserve and overall physical health to get a sense of whether you’ll have enough eggs available to fairly split for yourself and the intended parents. If your ovarian reserve appears strong enough that splitting the retrieved egg yield has the chance to result in a live birth for both parties involved, and you continue to qualify based on the other physical and psychological screening factors, you’ll be given the final green light.  

The cycle

Now it’s all about your cycle. This means you’ll start taking injectable medications needed to enable your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. We have loads of materials that can help you successfully manage this.

After close monitoring, when the time is right, you’ll be scheduled for the egg retrieval. During this 30-minute process, the doctor will remove the eggs with the aid of vaginal ultrasound while you’re under light anesthesia.

Free storage

Then, right away, your half of the eggs will be frozen. As a Split member, this whole process will be entirely free, including up to ten years of storage. In the case of an odd number of eggs, the extra one will be slated for use by the intended parents. However, any non-mature eggs retrieved will be frozen for you, since we don’t know what kind of medical advancements might take place over the next ten years. 

As a Split member, if you feel that it would be beneficial for you down the line, you can always consider doing another cycle. This will allow you to add to what you already have in storage and reap the benefits of additional free egg freezing, making the most of the program.

Adding it up

Our Split program puts egg freezing in reach for all members. It removes what’s often the biggest obstacle to taking charge of your fertility timeline — cost — while allowing an opportunity to help another family. 

Once you’ve completed the Split program, you can walk away knowing that not only have you figured out a way to make your goal of storing eggs a reality without the need for scrimping in other areas, but you’ve also succeeded in giving another family a golden opportunity they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Freeze by Co’s Split program allows you to freeze your eggs for free when you donate half of your eggs retrieved to a family that otherwise can’t conceive. It’s a true win-win. But in order to start your freezing process, you first have to match with a family. The sooner you complete your application (and the more robust it is!), the sooner you’ll match and the sooner your own journey can begin. To jump start your process, we wanted to share a few tips on how to fill out your Split application and let your personality shine.

Tip #1: Be yourself! 

We’re frequently asked what kinds of Split members our intended parents (IPs), or Family by Co members, are looking for. The truth is that our IPs are as diverse as our Split members. Each is coming to us looking for a unique match. 

While some IPs are hoping to match with a Split member of a particular ethnicity, others are most interested in matching with someone with shared interests. Ultimately, IPs want to match with someone who they feel connected to as a person. That’s why our application tries to get at the heart of who you are from a variety of dimensions. 

Tip #2: Share your motivation for joining Split

While your interest in egg freezing and egg donation may seem obvious to you, we want to be able to showcase that to our intended parents. They’re drawn to our unique model and love that all of our Split members are incredible, ambitious women who are motivated to preserve a portion of their reproductive future. And IPs are excited about empowering the next generation to own their family-building timelines. 

As such, we encourage you to elaborate as much as possible on why you’re interested in the program. This includes why you want to freeze your eggs (Are you in grad school? Are you gunning for a promotion? Are you just not sure that you want to have kids?) and why you’re interested in donating. No detail is too small. Trust us when we say that it all comes together to paint a picture of why you make an incredible donor. 

Tip #3: Play up your achievements

We get that it can feel uncomfortable to brag about yourself. But your Split application is one instance in which we want you to lay it all out. We — and our IPs  — are continually in awe of how impressive our Split members are. From active community service volunteers to professional award winners, we want you to underscore your achievements. While you might be wondering why winning an award for your undergraduate thesis is relevant to an IP, remember that there may be a family on the other side of our matching platform searching for a Split member with a knack for writing. 

Tip #4: Share photos (or videos!)

The photos you share also help IPs gain a better understanding of you throughout your lifetime. While you’ll want to submit some photos with a clear, head-on view, don’t be afraid to include pictures that showcase your hobbies or passions. Avid hiker? Let’s see you on your favorite trail! Proud dog mom? We want to see your little furball. If you’re waiting on your family to send you childhood photos, note that you can always submit your application without those and add them at a later date. In general, we recommend including at least one baby photo, one childhood photo, one pre-teen photo, and 5 recent photos.

You also have the option of filming a video that will be visible to intended parents. This can showcase your personality, your interest in the program, and your hopes and wishes for the family who you ultimately match with. If you’re interested in submitting a video, let us know.  

If you go this route, consider the following dos and don’ts:

Do’s:

• Explain why you’re interested in the Split program - why are you excited about freezing and donating eggs?
• Share a message with intended parents - what do you want them to know? 
• Shoot the video horizontally
• Keep your video less than 4 minutes and in mp4 format
• Ensure your video is clear with good lighting. Natural light is best so if you can shoot near a window or in the shade outside, that’s ideal! 
• If you have a phone tripod, consider using it for stability. Otherwise, propping your phone up on something else is okay! 

Don’ts:

• Use your last name or other identifying information 
• Avoid filming in any loud or public places

Questions? Reach out

As you’re working through your application, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team with any questions. Our number one priority is ensuring you feel comfortable with the process. That, and helping you shine! 

If you’re applying for our Split program, where you’ll give a portion of your eggs to a family that cannot conceive otherwise, you may be wondering how much the intended parents (IPs) and any donor-conceived children will know about you—and vice versa. We know this is a big deal and we want to give you as much information as possible to help you make the best decision for you. 

Disclosed vs. undisclosed relationships 

In a disclosed relationship, you exchange contact information and can communicate directly. The scope and degree of communication (both during and post-match) is what both parties make of it. 

In an undisclosed relationship,  you do not exchange contact information and only communicate through Cofertility. With an undisclosed donation, you and the family can choose to allow the donor-conceived child to receive your contact information when they turn a certain age (usually 18). This is called Open ID, an increasingly popular option.

Does undisclosed mean anonymous? 

To put it bluntly, it is impossible to guarantee true anonymity in egg donation. With widely available genetic tests and more state laws giving donor-conceived children access to information about their donors, it’s increasingly likely that identity and shared genetics may be discovered. 

At Freeze by Co, we want to honor the perspectives of all parties involved in the family-building process. This includes Split members, intended parents, and especially any future donor-conceived children. Given research on the benefits of parents being open with their children about being donor-conceived, we encourage intended parents (through our Family by Co platform) to be open to their children about their conception story. 

If the eggs you give lead to a child (and we hope that they do!), that donor-conceived child may eventually want to reach out with their own questions. We want to be upfront that this could happen, even if you opt for an undisclosed match. 

What do these relationships look like in practice? 

Every relationship is unique and depends on the desires of the Split member, intended parents, and what’s best for any future donor-conceived children. They can range from regular communication to a single notification when the donor-conceived child is born. While this list is by no means exhaustive, we wanted to paint a picture of how these relationships may play out: 

Disclosed relationships may include:

• Receiving an annual holiday card from the intended family  
• Communicating with either the parents and/or donor conceived children around milestone events, like first steps up to graduations
• Speaking directly with the donor conceived child once he/she reaches a particular age
• Simply keeping communication lines open if an issue or need arises.

Conversely, an undisclosed relationship may include:

• Receiving a photo of the baby when he/she is born
• Communicating via Cofertility to share a meaningful update like first words

Note that if a donor-conceived child experiences a serious medical condition, you may be asked to provide supplemental medical information to help the family navigate the situation.  Also, if new information comes up about your own medical history, we ask you to let us know so that any relevant information can be shared with the family. This is the case regardless of your relationship status. 

If I have kids now or in the future, do I have to share this with them? 

If you have children in the future, we encourage you to share this information with them. You may decide to wait until your children reach a particular age or you may ask the IPs to let you know when they share their own child’s conception story so that you can do the same. 

As mentioned earlier, with the advent of consumer-facing genetic testing companies like 23andMe, it is also possible that your children could be contacted by donor-conceived children in the future. As such, you may prefer to share this information on your own terms. Whether that is five, ten, or fifteen years from now — we’ll provide you with resources to support that conversation. 

Egg donation is a beautiful way to build a family and not something anyone involved should be ashamed of. Research shows that normalizing egg donation with children at an early age is best. This is true for parents who raise the child, as well as the egg donor who made it possible. 

What are my options with Split?

As part of the Split program application, you’ll be given the opportunity to indicate your preference for a disclosed or undisclosed relationship. You can also indicate openness to both. This information will also be shared on your profile so that you will only be matched with IPs who are aligned on the desired relationship type. 

If you still have questions about the spectrum of relationship options, reach out! We’re here to help you navigate it all, and we find that Split members are often open to a wide range of options after getting to know the family they are helping.

Final thoughts

If you’re applying for our Split program, we know you have a lot to consider. Our goal is to build families, but we aim to do so in a way that honors all parties involved. If you have any questions about our policies or thoughts around disclosure or want to talk through your personal situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Our goal at Cofertility is to match intended parents with Split members who can help them achieve their goal of parenthood.  Because of that, we want to make sure we’re upfront about what might disqualify someone from our Split program. 

Through this program, you can freeze your eggs for free if you donate half to a family who can’t otherwise conceive. But, importantly, several factors may limit your eligibility.  Some of these are official disqualifiers based on regulations by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Others are discretionary disqualifications based on recommendations by governing bodies like the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). 

While it’s not possible to create an exhaustive list of every reason someone may not qualify for our Split program, this guide outlines some of the most common reasons for disqualification.

Age

To apply to be a part of the Split Program, you must be between the ages of 21-33. This is because you’ll need to complete your retrieval before you turn 35, so because the process can take some time, we don’t accept applicants who are 34 or older. 

The reason for this age limitation is because data shows that, on average, those over 35 tend not to respond to fertility medication as well and therefore may not produce as many eggs. Also, research shows that, unfortunately, egg quality declines with age. Various factors may affect your cycle timing (application paperwork, time to match with a family, and more) and you will need to cycle before you turn 35. We’d hate for someone to apply, get accepted, and then when the time comes for the cycle itself, potentially age out.

If you are 34-39, you are still eligible to participate in our Keep program. With this program, you can freeze your eggs and keep 100% of them for yourself. 

If you are under 21 and you’d like to participate, please reach out and we’ll get back in touch after you turn 21. 

Health-related factors 

As a preliminary step in the process, we’ll review several health-related factors. 

For starters, you’ll need to have two ovaries and you cannot have taken a Depo Provera shot, which can interfere with hormonal medications, within the past 6 months. 

Due to these hormonal medications you’ll need to take during egg freezing, you also cannot be currently pregnant or breastfeeding. However, if you plan to stop breastfeeding within the next six months, you can still go through with your Split application. You’d just need to hold off on your actual freezing cycle until then, and this situation would be communicated to potential match families. 

Additionally, you’ll need to have a BMI of 18-29. Those outside of this range are at increased risk of complications, negative outcomes, and negative side effects from hormonal medications or an egg retrieval. 

You will not qualify if you’ve had a sexually transmitted disease within the past 12 months (but can apply after 12 months of treatment). You also will be disqualified if you’ve been refused as a blood donor due to other infectious disease or medical conditions. Same goes if you’ve ever had a blood transfusion. 

Medical and family history

We will also review your and your family’s medical history. Unfortunately, this means that if you are adopted and cannot confirm your biological family’s medical history, you will not qualify. 

Though not an exhaustive list of every condition that may disqualify a member, when reviewing your personal and family medical history, we look for personal and/or family history of:

• Cancer
• Heart/blood disease
• Neurological diseases
• Mental health disorders
• Thyroid disorders
• Genetic disease
• Fertility issues
• Reproductive disease
• Autoimmune disease
• Respiratory disease
• Metabolic disease
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Kidney disease
• Birth defects

We review your personal and family medical history as a whole with our medical advisors. When reviewing, we consider the severity of the disease/conditions, number of relatives with the disease/condition, age of diagnosis, as well as that relative’s relation to you.

Psychological screening

There are also some psychological questions you’ll have to answer. We don’t expect you to be perfect. But note that certain psychological factors may be more likely to disqualify you than others. 

For example, a history of physical, sexual or substance abuse or having family members with psychiatric disorders that could be passed down may make it more difficult to be approved than, for example, having had some mild depression or anxiety. Per ASRM guidance, we will exclude those with a personal or first-degree (parents, siblings, offspring) family history of: 

• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Severe depression
• History of alcoholism or drug abuse

Genetic screening

As part of the process, you’ll also be required to do genetic testing via blood test or saliva sample. This helps ensure that embryos resulting from your eggs will lead to a viable pregnancy and that a child won't be born with severe disease. 

But even for serious diseases, not all disease-related genes are deal breakers. For example, if we find that you have a copy of a gene that can lead to cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, or thalassemia, this may or may not disqualify you; it can depend on the clinic and genes of the intended parents. 

In line with ASRM guidance, in most conditions where carrying one copy of a particular gene won't impact the child themselves, you can still qualify for the Split program. 

Physical screening

In addition to genetic screening, you will have to undergo a physical screening to ensure you are physically healthy and producing a good number of eggs.  

Some disqualifications here are set in stone by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If evidence of any of these conditions arises, you will be considered ineligible for the program. These are considered to be non-negotiable.

• HIV
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Human transmissible spongiform encephalopathy
• Treponema pallidum

The following could also be deal breakers: 

• Issues with your ovaries, such as having only one ovary
• Hormone levels outside of recommended limits with concerns about your ability to produce sufficient eggs
• Any issues that would make the egg freezing and donation process risky for your health
• Evidence that you are at high risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease or could already have one. Doctors will look for discharge or ulcerative lesions for this purpose
• Indicators of possible drug use (needle tracks, for example) or exposure to needles in non-sterile conditions—including recent piercings or tattoos within the past 12 months

Anti-Mullerian hormone (ovarian reserve) levels

As you likely know, women have a set egg quantity present at birth. Your eggs mature in ovarian follicles, and each of these follicles produces the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). Over time, this hormone level drops; eventually, it drops so low that women naturally develop what's known as a diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

Your AMH level can help predict how well medication may work to stimulate your ovaries to produce eggs. It also tells doctors what dosage of drugs may be needed to do so. The higher the AMH level, the more eggs generally produced. 

At Cofertility, if your AMH < 2, you are ineligible for our Split program. We only accept Split Members with these higher AMH levels as it helps mitigate the possibility of a second cycle to obtain enough eggs that could result in a live birth down the line (for yourself and for intended parents). Nevertheless, it’s important to note that, even with a high AMH level, there is always a chance that you need to do another cycle to improve the odds of a live birth. In the Split Program, you will receive AMH-reading bloodwork prior to being activated on our platform. 

If it turns out that your AMH levels are below the required minimum threshold, you would unfortunately be ineligible to move forward with egg donation. However, we can still help you freeze your eggs for your own future use through our Keep program.

State-specific qualifications

Some states do maintain their own requirements for women who are donating eggs. These requirements will extend to those in our Split program and would be determined by the location of the clinic at which you would be conducting the retrieval. 

Any state-specific egg donation qualifications will be evaluated at the time of your physical examination. 

Additional disqualifying factors

Lastly, there are a few additional factors that, unfortunately, would disqualify you from our Split program. These include if you:

• Have served jail time for more than two days within the previous 12 months
• Have undergone body piercing and/or tattooing within the past twelve months in which sterile procedures may not have been used
• Have the highest education level of GED
• Have Indigenous American ancestry and are associated with a tribe — this is due to the Indian Welfare Act 
• Currently use any nicotine products regularly, since the ASRM has confirmed an association between smoking and decreased fertility — if you engage in vaping, you will need to quit for 2-3 months before re-applying for Split, but if you only vape occasionally/socially, you will need to quit for one month prior to your retrieval date

If one or more of the above applies to you and you’d still like to participate in our Split program, reach out to us. We’d be happy to chat with you about your fertility options, including your ability to re-apply in the future. 

The net net

We know this sounds like a lot, but these disqualifiers are in place to respect the health and wellbeing of our Split members and intended parents. If you have any questions about Split—including the factors outlined here—don’t hesitate to connect with us. 

You have tons to offer, and whether you qualify for the Split program is in no way reflective of your value. The most important thing is that you feel one hundred percent comfortable in any decision you make. This is a big one, and we’re with you every step of the way.

Egg donor agencies are all about matching families with qualified egg donor candidates. And at Cofertility, we want to make sure we’re upfront about what might disqualify someone from egg donation. 

Through our Split program, if you qualify, you can freeze your eggs for free if you donate half of the eggs to a family who can’t otherwise conceive. But some factors may limit eligibility (for Split and egg donation in general). Some of these are official disqualifiers based on regulations by the FDA. Others are discretionary disqualifications based on recommendations by governing bodies like the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).  Read on to get the full picture.

Age

Unfortunately, most doctors and agencies will turn a donor away if she’s over age 33. At Cofertility, we take a similar approach for our Split program. 

The reason for this age limitation is because data shows that, on average, those over 33 tend not to respond to fertility medication as well and therefore may not produce as many eggs. Also, research shows that, unfortunately, egg quality declines with age. 

If you are 34-39, you are still eligible to participate in our Keep program, where you can freeze your eggs and keep 100% of them for yourself. Also, if you are over 33 and donating for a family member or friend, a doctor may approve you for egg donation on a case-by-case basis. 

Please note, per ASRM guidelines, we also do not accept Split members who are under 21. If you’re younger than this and you’d like to participate, please reach out and we’ll get back in touch after you turn 21. 

Health-related factors 

As a preliminary step in the process, we will review several health-related factors before you can be approved for egg donation. 

For starters, you’ll need to have two ovaries and you cannot have taken a Depo Provera shot, which can interfere with hormonal medications, within the past 6 months. 

Due to these hormonal medications you’ll need to take during egg freezing, you also cannot be currently pregnant or breastfeeding. However, if you plan to stop breastfeeding within the next six months, you can still go through with your Split application. You’d just need to hold off on your actual freezing cycle until then, and this situation would be communicated to potential match families. 

Additionally, you’ll need to have a BMI of 18-29. Those outside of this range are at increased risk of complications, negative outcomes, and negative side effects from hormonal medications or an egg retrieval. 

You will not qualify if you’ve had a sexually transmitted disease within the past 12 months (but can apply after 12 months of treatment). You also will be disqualified if you’ve been refused as a blood donor due to other infectious disease or medical conditions. Same goes if you’ve ever had a blood transfusion. 

Medical and family history

Agencies will also review your and your family’s medical history. Unfortunately, this means that if you are adopted and cannot confirm your biological family’s medical history, you will not qualify. 

Though not an exhaustive list of every condition that may disqualify a member, when reviewing your personal and family medical history, agencies look for personal and/or family history of:

• Cancer
• Heart/blood disease
• Neurological diseases 
• Mental health disorders
• Genetic disease
• Fertility issues
• Reproductive disease
• Autoimmune disease
• Respiratory disease
• Metabolic disease
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Kidney disease
• Birth defects

We review your personal and family medical history as a whole with our medical advisors. When reviewing, we consider the severity of the disease/conditions, number of relatives with the disease/condition, age of diagnosis, as well as that relative’s relation to you.

Psychological screening

Following this, there will be some psychological questions you’ll have to answer. We don’t expect you to be perfect. But some psychological factors may be more likely to disqualify you than others. 

For example, a history of physical, sexual or substance abuse or having family members with psychiatric disorders that could be passed down, may make it more difficult to be approved than, for example, having had some mild depression or anxiety. Per ASRM guidance, agencies - including our own - will, however, exclude those with a personal or first-degree (parents, siblings, offspring) family history of: 

• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Severe depression
• History of alcoholism or drug abuse

Physical screening

In addition to genetic screening, you will have to undergo a physical screening to ensure you are physically healthy and producing a good number of eggs. 

Some disqualifications are set in stone by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They, understandably, want to ensure that egg donor tissue doesn't spread contagious diseases. If evidence of any of these conditions arises, you will be considered ineligible for the Split program. These are considered to be non-negotiable: 

• HIV
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Human transmissible spongiform encephalopathy
• Treponema pallidum

The following could also be deal breakers: 

• Issues with your ovaries, such as only having one ovary
• Hormone levels outside of recommended limits with concerns about your ability to produce sufficient eggs
• Any issues that would make the egg freezing and donation process risky for your health
• Evidence that you are at high risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease or could already have one. Doctors will look for discharge or ulcerative lesions for this purpose
• Indicators of possible drug use (needle tracks, for example) or exposure to needles in non-sterile conditions—including recent piercings or tattoos within the past 12 months

Anti-Mullerian hormone (ovarian reserve) levels

As you likely know, women have a set egg quantity present at birth. Your eggs mature in ovarian follicles, and each of these follicles produces the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). Over time, this hormone level drops, and eventually, women naturally develop what's known as a diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

Your AMH level can help predict how well medication may work to stimulate your ovaries to produce eggs. It also tells doctors what dosage of drugs may be needed to do so. The higher the AMH level, the more eggs generally produced. 

At Cofertility, if you appear to have low ovarian reserve at the time of screening, you will be ineligible for our Split program. We only accept Split Members with a higher AMH level as it helps mitigate the possibility of a second cycle to obtain enough eggs that could result in a live birth down the line (for yourself and for intended parents). Nevertheless, it is important to note that, even with high AMH levels, there is always a chance of having to do another cycle to improve the odds of a live birth. In the Split Program, once you are matched with intended parents, you’ll undergo your physical screening, which will include AMH-reading bloodwork. 

If you’d rather get a sense of your AMH ahead of matching, talk to us about helping you set up an initial egg freezing consultation at a local fertility clinic. While it’s not required until this later phase of the screening process, it can help you better understand your fertility outlook. We may offer discounted consult options in your area, and this could give you upfront peace of mind about your choice to pursue Split, Keep, or neither.  

Genetic screening

As part of the evaluation process, you will also be required to do genetic testing via blood test or saliva sample. This helps ensure that embryos resulting from your eggs will lead to a viable pregnancy and that a child won't be born with severe disease. 

But even for serious diseases, not all disease-related genes are deal breakers. For example, if your tests reveal that you have a copy of a gene that can lead to cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, or thalassemia, this may disqualify you depending on the clinic. Even if two copies of the gene are needed in order for the condition to occur, clinics and agencies handle this differently.

In line with ASRM guidance, in most cases where carrying one copy of a particular gene won't impact the child themselves, you can still donate. 

Agencies often screen for Fragile X syndrome. However, since this is an X-linked condition, just one copy of the gene can cause health issues. While most agencies will disqualify you if the X-linked health issues are severe, they may allow you to participate if you carry genes for milder conditions, such as red-green color blindness. Note that agencies will still inform potential parents that you carry this gene. 

State-specific qualifications

Some states do maintain their own specific requirements for women who are donating eggs. These requirements will extend to those in our Split program and would be determined by the location of the clinic at which you would be conducting the retrieval. 

Any state-specific egg donation qualifications will be evaluated at the time of your physical examination. 

Additional disqualifying factors

In addition to the above, there are several factors that, unfortunately, would disqualify you from our Split program (and in many cases, per ASRM and/or FDA guidance, egg donation in general). These include if you:

• Are not a U.S. citizen
• Have served jail time for more than two days
• Have undergone body piercing and/or tattooing within the past twelve months in which sterile procedures may not have been used
• Have the highest education level of GED
• Have Indigenous American ancestry and are associated with a tribe—this is due to the Indian Welfare Act 

If one or more of the above applies to you and you’d still like to participate in our Split program, reach out to us. We’d be happy to chat with you about your fertility options, including your ability to re-apply in the future. 

The net net

We know this sounds like a lot, but these disqualifiers are in place to respect the health and wellbeing of our Split members and intended parents. If you have any questions about Split—including the factors outlined here—don’t hesitate to connect with us. 

You have tons to offer, and whether you qualify for the Split program is in no way reflective of your value. The most important thing is that you feel one hundred percent comfortable in any decision you make. This is a big one, and we’re with you every step of the way.

Worries about egg donation risks can hold you back from joining our Split Program, in which you can freeze your eggs for free in exchange for donating half to people who need help growing their families. But just how risky is egg donation? Are the rewards of helping grow a family enough to outweigh them? 

Here’s what the science says about the risks along with our take on some potential benefits. 

Egg donation risks

Overall, egg donation is considered a low-risk procedure and there are a number of steps along the way designed to ensure your safety. A 2017 Fertility and Sterility research study looked at more than 23,000 egg retrieval procedures performed on women in hospitals and fertility centers. Overall, the study found an overall complication rate of just 0.4%. 

The first stage of the process is a series of screenings to make sure you are prepared for what lies ahead.  You’ll undergo a general interview, blood testing, and a psychological assessment to make sure you are physically and mentally up for everything that egg donation entails. Importantly, these screenings help flag potential issues early, and mitigate any larger risks. 

The greatest risks exist for those who have pre-existing health conditions that put them in a higher risk category, these women are unlikely to pass the initial screening process. 

For those who are deemed healthy and ready for donation, the largest risks then lie in the egg production and egg retrieval phases of donation. 

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Just like the process for freezing your eggs, you will be prescribed injectable hormone medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs. This carries some risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS is a condition in which the ovaries condition in which the ovaries can swell and fluid leaks into the abdomen, causing pain and discomfort. 

Cases of OHSS are rare, occurring in less than 5 percent of women who use these medications.  The symptoms are typically mild, causing bloating, nausea, and general discomfort that will go away one to two weeks after your egg retrieval procedure. OHSS cases that require medical attention occur in about 0.1% to 2% percent of women.  

Anesthesia risk

Once you’ve produced enough eggs, you’ll undergo a retrieval process at the fertility clinic. This process is outpatient, meaning you can go home that day, and typically only takes about half an hour. 

You’ll be under anesthesia for the procedure so it is worth noting that anesthesia does carry risks such as nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and allergic reactions. However, risks of major complications from anesthesia are rare, with just 1.1 per million each year across all types of procedures. If you have a history of nausea from anesthesia, talk to your doctor about it beforehand.

Egg retrieval complications

During the egg retrieval process, a fertility specialist will use a thin needle to aspirate eggs from  your ovaries. This does come with  risk of bleeding, infection or injury to something nearby – such as the bladder or bowels. If this were to occur, surgery may be required to correct the problem. But, as previously mentioned, only 0.4% of women encounter complications during this part of the egg donation process and just 0.29% percent require surgery due to those complications. 

More common after egg retrieval is some spotting and discomfort, both of which are temporary. Many women return to work the day after an egg retrieval, although some take a few days to recover.  

Will donating eggs affect future fertility?

One common question that potential Split members ask is whether there’s a risk that donating eggs will affect their future fertility. The answer is a solid no. 

Not only will donating eggs not affect your chances of getting pregnant naturally in the future, it also won’t lower your ovarian reserve (number of eggs in your ovaries). The eggs retrieved in an egg donation cycle are eggs that would have been lost that month naturally.

As part of our Split program, members donate half of the eggs that they produce during a cycle and keep the other half for themselves — freezing them to use at a later date. The cost of storage is also covered for 10 years.

Other common egg donation concerns

As you consider the Split program, you may have some other non-medical concerns. It's important to think through them before deciding to join the Split program. 

Wanting to remain anonymous

How much identifying information you want to share is ultimately up to you, however the advent of DNA testing from companies like 23AndMe and Ancestry.com has made it impossible to guarantee true long-term anonymity. It’s best to make any decisions about donating your eggs with this in mind. 

Wanting to know potential donor-conceived children

On the flip side, you may be curious about potential offspring and want to have a window into their world as they grow up. Split members are given the chance to build a plan with intended parents that is comfortable for both parties and ultimately honor and respect the donor-conceived child. That plan can vary from just a holiday card update to regular communication — it really is unique to the parties involved. 

Egg donation benefits

The CDC estimates a fifth of women encounter infertility every year and egg donation is a true gift to many families. 

If you’re weighing the risks against the benefits, the satisfaction of helping someone else grow their family can be incredibly powerful. As a Split Member, you’ll also have the added benefit of free health screenings and a chance to talk to fertility experts about your own fertility planning. 

Lastly, if you choose to donate eggs through Cofertility, you will also be able to keep half of the eggs produced during your cycle, giving you a jumpstart on your future reproductive planning. 

Bottom line

Although overall risks of egg donation are low, there’s a lot to think about. It’s important to consider it all and to talk open and honestly with the fertility experts at your disposal. 

Making the decision to donate eggs can be a powerful and fulfilling experience. Still, it should only be something you do because you feel comfortable with the process and potential long-term implications. We’d love to be a resource as you consider this process - feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns along the way.