Who Uses Donor Eggs?
Why using an egg donor isn’t just based on age
If you think about who uses donor eggs to get pregnant, you probably picture a woman in her 40s. Even though infertility still isn’t talked about very openly, it’s pretty common knowledge that it’s harder to get pregnant the older you are. However, there are lots of different people who use donor eggs for their fertility journey.
People With Low Egg Quality
It’s true that egg quality decreases with age. Egg quality peaks in a person’s mid-20s, dropping off through the early 30s and decreasing dramatically after age 37. Increasingly, people are choosing to wait to have kids until later in life, often their late 30s or early 40s. If an individual’s eggs are no longer viable by the time they want to get pregnant, using donor eggs is an option.
People Experiencing Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Not everybody who uses donor eggs is over 40. About 1% of people with ovaries experience premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), where they stop having their period before the age of 40. Since this means they can’t get pregnant on their own, people experiencing POI who wish to have children often consider donor eggs for their fertility journey.
People With Other Medical Conditions That Impact Fertility
There are other medical conditions that can affect a person’s egg quality or ability to get pregnant with their own eggs. For instance, some women are born without ovaries. Certain medical treatments, like chemotherapy, can negatively affect the quantity and quality of a person’s eggs. Sometimes, people also have genetic conditions they would prefer not to pass on to their child. In all these cases, donor eggs can make it possible for individuals to grow their family.
Single Parents & Couples Without Ovaries
There are also plenty of individuals with no medical issues who use donor eggs to build their families, such as couples where neither partner has ovaries (for instance, cisgender gay men). Single men looking to have children may also use donor eggs with a surrogate to carry a child.
There are plenty of reasons why a person might need to use donor eggs to get pregnant. Infertility can affect people of all ages and gender identities. Fortunately, advances in fertility technology mean there are more options than ever before for people who need help building their families.
If you’re wondering if using donor eggs is right for you, give us a call or fill out our contact form today - we’re happy to answer your questions and help guide you on your journey.