Can I Donate Eggs On Birth Control?
Many of our potential donors ask if they can donate eggs on birth control. Using birth control does not affect the quantity or quality of your eggs and does not disqualify you from being an egg donor. Depending on the method you use, you may need to temporarily stop using it before starting an egg donation cycle. Here is a guide to donating eggs on birth control.
Can You Donate Eggs on Birth Control? Find Your Birth Control Method Here.
Most birth control methods use hormones to decrease the chance of pregnancy. These hormones can interfere with the egg donation process. For that reason, you’ll need to temporarily stop using hormonal birth control before donating your eggs. The length of time between stopping and when you can donate depends on the method.
The Pill: all egg donors are prescribed birth control pills at the start of their donation cycle. If you are already using birth control pills, your team will discuss if you can continue or if you will switch to a different kind for the start of the cycle. You will need to stop taking the pills once ovarian stimulation begins.
The Patch: You will need to stop using the patch at the start of the donation cycle.
The NuvaRing: You will need to stop using the NuvaRing at the start of the donation cycle.
Non-Hormonal IUD (like Paragard): In most cases, non-hormonal IUDs can remain in place during your donation cycle.
Hormonal IUD (like Mirena or Kylena): Hormonal IUDs may need to be removed before beginning an egg donation cycle.
Depo-Provera Shot: You will need to stop receiving the shot six months before beginning a donation cycle and have at least two normal periods before being able to donate.
Arm Implant (like Nexplanon): You will need to remove the implant and have at least two normal periods before beginning an egg donation cycle.
Tubal Ligation (aka “getting your tubes tied”): In egg donation, the eggs are retrieved from the ovaries before they are released into the fallopian tubes. A tubal ligation (which blocks eggs from traveling through the fallopian tube into the uterus) does not affect egg donation at all, and you can donate eggs with your tubes tied.
When Can I Start Using Birth Control Again After Donating?
In most cases, you can resume your birth control method once you have had your first period after the egg retrieval. If you would like to donate eggs again, you may want to use a method like the pill, patch, or NuvaRing as they don’t require removal or extra time like the shot, implant, or hormonal IUDs.
Can I Have Sex While Donating Eggs?
If you need to stop using your normal birth control method before beginning the egg donation cycle, it’s important to use an alternative method, like condoms, to prevent pregnancy.
Once you have started the donation cycle, we do ask that you abstain from sexual intercourse with partners with sperm. The medications used in the egg donation process make you extremely fertile, with an increased chance of becoming pregnant with multiples (like twins or triplets). To avoid accidental pregnancy, we ask that you abstain until your next period after the retrieval.
Ask Us How to Donate Eggs on Birth Control
Many of our donors use birth control - it’s very common! If you would like to donate eggs on birth control, we can help you figure out the best plan for you. We are happy to answer any questions about birth control and egg donation - contact us today.