Updated by the Progyny Editorial Team — September 2025.
If your healthcare provider has recommended egg donation, it may be because it significantly improves your chances of conception compared to using your own eggs. Egg donation can also lower the risk of miscarriage or certain genetic conditions.
This option may feel unfamiliar, but it has helped many people build their families. Asking thoughtful questions and considering your goals can help you decide if it’s the right path for you.
Questions to ask about egg donation
Discussing these questions with your partner, a mental health provider, or a reproductive endocrinologist (REI) may be helpful:
- How does egg donation affect my chances of having a healthy pregnancy?
- How do genetics work in egg donation, and what role will my partner’s or donor sperm play?
- Should I also consider adoption?
- Can we afford the treatment and related expenses?
- Do we want a known or anonymous egg donor?
- Should we explore using a frozen egg bank?
A therapist who specializes in third-party reproduction can support you and raise additional considerations you may not have thought about.
Who uses egg donation?
Egg donation is often recommended for:
- Male same-sex couples who plan to use gestational surrogacy
- People with genetic conditions they do not want to pass on
- People who are in menopause, have poor egg quality, or no remaining eggs, but want to use their partner’s sperm
- People with no ovaries but an intact uterus
The egg donation process
Egg donors are typically healthy young adults between 21 and 30 years old. They go through comprehensive screening required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, including:
- Medical history and physical exam
- Psychological evaluation
- Infectious disease testing
- Ovarian reserve testing
The donor then takes hormone injections to stimulate multiple eggs. Once the eggs are mature, an REI retrieves them using an ultrasound-guided needle while the donor is under anesthesia.
In the lab, the eggs are fertilized with sperm from the intended parent or a donor. For male same-sex couples, one partner’s sperm may be chosen. The resulting embryo (fertilized egg) is then transferred into the recipient’s uterus or into a gestational surrogate’s uterus. If implantation occurs, the pregnancy can continue as usual.
Egg donor sources
You may find egg donors through:
- Clinics or agencies that recruit, screen, and match donors
- Frozen egg banks, which store eggs that have already been retrieved
Fresh donor cycles use eggs immediately, while frozen cycles use thawed eggs. Both options have similar success rates.
Success rates
Success with egg donation depends on factors such as:
- The donor’s age and egg quality
- The sperm quality
- The recipient’s overall health
- The clinic’s protocols
According to the National Institutes of Health, about 10,000 babies are born each year through egg donation.
Key takeaway
Egg donation is a safe, effective, and increasingly common option for family building. Talk openly with your provider about whether it fits your medical, emotional, and financial needs.
If you have questions or concerns, Progyny is here for you. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.
Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.