LGBTQ+ Egg Donors
Things to know about donating eggs as an LGBTQ+ individual
SIMPLIFY welcomes egg donor candidates of all sexualities and gender identities. If you are LGBTQ+, you may have some additional questions or considerations about the egg donation process. Read on for more information about donating eggs as an LGBTQ+ individual.
Can LGBTQ+ People Donate Eggs?
Yes! Egg donors must meet several requirements set by the federal government and professional medical associations. These requirements include having healthy and functioning ovaries, but do not disqualify candidates based on gender identity or sexuality. Egg donor applications may ask questions about sexual activity. Typically, these questions are medically relevant, and the information is not shared with intended parents.
That being said, each egg donation facility set its own policies. While the most widely accepted requirements don’t discriminate on sexuality or gender, individual facilities may have discriminatory policies. We can guarantee that at SIMPLIFY and our partner clinic, Pacific Northwest Fertility, we welcome all donors and intended parents. In fact, PNWF is a leader in LGBTQ+ family building.
Can People Receiving Gender-Affirming Treatment Donate Eggs?
It depends on the treatment. Unfortunately, candidates that have taken or are currently taking testosterone are not eligible to donate with SIMPLIFY. Patients who have received gender-affirming surgery may still be able to donate if their ovaries still function and are accessible.
How Will the Egg Donation Process Affect Me?
The egg donation process involves taking daily doses of hormone medications that have similar side effects to a menstrual cycle (ex. cramping, moodswings, chest tenderness, etc.). It also involves extended monitoring of and discussion about the reproductive organs. Some individuals may find this process triggers or worsens gender dysphoria. The donor application process for all candidates involves an interview with a counselor. We recommend discussing any concerns about the possible dysphoric effects of donation with the counselor to decide whether donating is right for you.
Unfortunately, some LGBTQ+ egg donors across the US report encountering gender- or hetero-normative assumptions during their donation experience. At SIMPLIFY, we are committed to providing inclusive and respectful care for all our patients and donors.
I Read that Egg Donors Can’t Have Sex. What Does That Mean?
It’s true, resources often say “egg donors must abstain from sex during their donation cycle” and leave it at that. We realize that sex can cover a large spectrum of activity and interactions, and LGBTQ+ donors can sometimes feel uncomfortable asking for clarification on if or how this restriction applies to them.
There are three reasons to abstain from sex during the donation cycle: the risks of sexually transmitted infections, accidental pregnancy, and injury. These risks apply in various ways to different kinds of sexual activity.
Sexual activity of any kind increases your risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, which can interrupt or cancel your donation cycle.
The medications used during an egg donation cycle make donors extremely fertile, meaning they can get pregnant very easily. For this reason, donors should completely avoid sexual intercourse with partners with sperm from the start of their donation cycle until your next menstrual cycle after the egg retrieval.
The hormonal medications also cause the ovaries to grow substantially. This increases the risk of ovarian torsion, a serious medical condition where the ovaries become twisted and require surgical treatment. Physical activities, including all forms of sexual intercourse, can cause ovarian torsion. The risk of ovarian torsion typically goes away a couple of days after the egg retrieval.
After the egg retrieval, donors should continue to avoid inserting anything into the vagina for one week to prevent the risk of infection.
In general, egg donation involves reducing or modifying sexual activity for all donors, regardless of sexuality or gender identity. Keep in mind this change is temporary. You may also be able to incorporate safer forms of intimacy during your donation cycle. If you have any questions about specific activities and their relative risks during egg donation, we encourage you to ask your fertility team.
Egg Donation Can Be a Rewarding Experience for LGBTQ+ Donors
Many intended parents who use donor eggs are also LGBTQ+. Egg donation may allow them to have a biologically related child or experience pregnancy and birth. For all intended parents who use donor eggs, donation allows them to have a much-loved and wanted child in ways that would not otherwise be possible. While egg donation can involve some additional considerations around gender identity, if you feel strongly about donating your eggs, we would love to work with you towards a positive and rewarding donation experience.