Side Effects of Egg Donation

Egg donation is a lengthy process that requires multiple psychological and medical screenings. After a woman is approved to be an egg donor, the process of preparing the body to produce extra eggs can cause significant health effects. The side effects of egg donation are different for each woman and may depend on her tolerance for pain, how healthy she is and how much hormones are used to stimulate production of eggs in the ovaries.

Menstrual Cycle

• Medications used to stimulate the ovaries will stop the normal processes of the menstrual cycle and may cause delayed or irregular periods.

Hot Flashes

• The hormones used to initially stop the menstrual cycle include progesterone, which can cause hot flashes, night sweats and trouble sleeping.

Pain

• The follicle-stimulating hormone that causes the ovary to prepare eggs must be injected into the body daily for 10 days with a needle and may cause pain and bruises at the injection site.

Swelling

• The excessive amount of hormones needed to stimulate the ovaries may cause tenderness and swelling of the breasts and abdominal swelling or bloating.

Enlarged Ovaries

• According to the New York State Health Department, hyperstimulation of the ovaries may cause enlargement and swelling of the ovaries, which could result in abdominal pain and pressure.

Infertility

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a condition that occurs when too much hormone is injected into the body and the ovaries overreact and may cause the need for removal of the ovaries, resulting in infertility.

Warning

• Side effects including blood clots, kidney failure, fluid in the lungs and systemic shock may occur from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which is a life-threatening condition.