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Potential Risks of Donating Eggs

Although donating eggs may seem like an easy way to make money and help out a family, it is also an easy way to develop health complications like Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, hot flashes, gynecological cancer, depression and ethical issues, and even death.

  1. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

    • Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome is a life-threatening medical complication where the ovaries become filled with fluid because of the hormones administered to assist in reproduction. The hormones given to women who donate eggs help the ovaries produce more than one egg. These drugs can be deadly if too much of it is administered or if the body can't handle the hormones. The ovaries can become swollen with liquid and become extremely painful.

    Hot Flashes

    • With all of the hormones being administered to stimulate egg production, woman donating eggs can experience hot flashes. Hot flashes are uncomfortable, strong sensations of warmth that can cause sweating, anxiety and a faster heart rate.

    Gynecological Cancer

    • Gynecological cancers, like ovarian, cervical, vaginal, vulvar and uterine cancer, can be a result of donating eggs, as it is believed that the hormones used to produce eggs may be cancerous, according to the Task Force's Advisory Group on Assisted Reproductive Technologies, a group of specialists and doctors.

    Depression and Ethical Issues

    • With the overload of hormones and the countless doctor visits and tests, the process of donating an egg can cause depression or various ethical problems. Women believe their eggs are going to help a couple or mother who wants a child. But what many women don't know is that sometimes their eggs go to stem cell research, where a women has numerous fertilized eggs in her and the unborn babies can be aborted to prevent health complications to the woman.

    Death

    • Although the chances are very low, women can die from donating eggs. According to The Human Fertility and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the cause of death can be cancer, losing a limb or from developing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome.

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