As with most medical medical procedures, there are some medications involved. We guide you and make sure you have all the information and support you need to work with the doctor and start the protocol to begin creating eggs. Your health and security are always first and foremost.
BCP or OCP
Purpose
Stabilizes the egg donor’s (ED) hormones and makes it possible to time other medications.
Method
Pill taken orally
Side effects
Nausea, breast tenderness, temporary weight gain, mood changes, missed periods, decreased libido
Steroid
Purpose
Suppresses some hormones in EDs with polycystic ovaries (PCO)
Method
Pill taken orally
Side effects
Nausea, temporary weight gain, mood changes, insomnia
FSH
Purpose
Stimulates and matures the eggs that will be donated.
Method
Small injection
Side effects
Bloating, mood changes, hot flashes, headache, temporary weight gain, OHSS (rare), multiple gestation (rare), ectopic (tubal) pregnancy (rare), ovarian twisting (rare), injection site skin reactions
GnRH Antagonist
Purpose
Prevents premature release of hormones during the cycle; prevents OHSS
Method
Small injection
Side effects
Headache, nausea, pelvic pain, fatigue
hCG (Trigger Shot)
Purpose
Fully matures the eggs before they are retrieved
Method
Small injection
Side effects
Bloating, mood changes, hot flashes, headache
“GnRH Agonist” (Trigger Shot)
Purpose
Stops the production of some fertility hormones: allows ED to donate a good number of high quality eggs.
Helps prevent a hormone surge during the cycle which can cause a cycle cancellation.
Method
Two small injections
Side effects
Mood changes, hot flashes, headache
Antibiotic
Purpose
Decreases risk of infection during egg retrieval
Method
Pill taken orally
Side effects
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, indigestion, abdominal pain
Disclaimer: These are a list of the typical medications used by an egg donor. You may or may not use all of these. The physicians managing your individual journey will determine your protocol.
ConceiveAbilities® would like to acknowledge Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Angeline Beltsos M.D., for her care and consideration in providing this information on egg donor medications. Dr. Beltsos has served as the Medical Director of Fertility Centers of Illinois, SC IVF-River North.
Egg donation is a process by which a woman (referred to as the donor) provides her eggs to intended parent(s) to assist in the conception of a baby. Egg donation is a safe and widely accepted means of assisted reproduction. For women whose medical conditions prevent them from becoming pregnant, egg donation (in conjunction with in-vitro fertilization), can be a means to starting a family.
You might know someone who has done it, or perhaps you're simply a little curious. In any event, some part of you is probably wondering, “Is this for me?” “Do I have what it takes to be an egg donor?” We've organized ten of the most important, wide-ranging factors that we look into when evaluating an egg donor application.
You’ve heard about egg donation: perhaps you’ve seen advertisements, or have a friend already considering a donation. Maybe a cousin used a donor to have a baby herself, and you’re wondering how you can help other families like hers. Whatever the reason, you’re interested.