Egg Donation

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about our egg donation process, agency, or requirements to become a Genesis egg donor?

Below are the most common questions donors and intended parents ask our team.

Egg Donation Basics

  • An egg donor is an individual who agrees to complete an egg retrieval cycle and donate their genetic material to another person or couple, known as the intended parents.

  • An egg donation agency like The Genesis Group facilitates individual matches between egg donors and intended parents based on their unique needs and compatibility. Our focus is on empowering donors by allowing you to set your desired compensation, journey and contact preferences, and decide to whom you will donate your eggs. We support the full process, including profile matching, appointment and travel coordination, and communication throughout your journey. 

    An egg bank usually provides frozen donor eggs that have already been retrieved, frozen, and stored. Donors typically relinquish their genetic material to the bank rather than a predetermined intended parent or couple. Parents choose from a database of anonymous donors, purchase a set number of frozen eggs, and move forward with their clinic to develop embryos.

  • People use egg donors to build their families for many reasons. Many intended parents face infertility, a low ovarian reserve, or medical conditions that make it difficult to use their own eggs. Others may be single parents by choice or same-sex male couples growing their families through IVF and donor eggs. Egg donation gives these individuals another path to parenthood when they need it.

  • The egg donation process should not be painful, though some parts of the process may feel uncomfortable.

    Leading up to your egg retrieval, donors are often prescribed self-injected IVF medications. Light bruising and bloating can occur around the injection area.

    The egg retrieval itself is an outpatient procedure and usually takes around 20 minutes. You’ll typically be under light anesthesia and should not feel pain during the procedure. Afterward, you’ll rest for 1-2 hours before going home, then limit yourself to light activity over the next couple of days. Read our Rest & Recovery Guide for Egg Donors here.

  • A typical egg donation cycle takes about 2-3 months to coordinate from the moment you match to your egg retrieval. During that time, our case manager will facilitate the entire process as you work with a reproductive endocrinologist, psychologist, genetic specialist, and attorney.

    The journey is not demanding on your schedule until you start your medication cycle leading up to the egg retrieval, which typically lasts 10 to 14 days.

  • Most donors attend 6-8 appointments during a cycle, including a medical screening, baseline appointment, and the egg retrieval. Monitoring visits are usually scheduled early in the morning to avoid conflicts with school or work, and our case managers do their best to accommodate your schedule and block out any dates you’re unavailable.

    On the day of your egg retrieval, you should plan to take the full day off and have a companion to drive you to and from the clinic.

  • Egg donation stimulation medications are usually taken as daily injections for 8-12 days leading up to the egg retrieval. The medications are typically self-injected, and the needles are very small (similar to diabetic needles). Most donors find them very manageable, and your clinic and case manager will give you clear instructions and support before you begin.

  • IVF technology has been in use since the late 1970's, and there are no known long-term side effects. However, some short-term side effects can happen. These may include bloating, cramping, fatigue, mood changes, and mild discomfort, similar to PMS symptoms.

    A rare but important risk is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which your clinic will monitor for closely. Before starting medications, your doctor will review the risks with you and answer any questions so you feel fully informed.

    You can also reach out to our team or read our Guide to the Egg Retrieval Process to learn more.

  • No, egg donation does not cause infertility. The medications used during a donor cycle help mature eggs that your body would otherwise lose naturally, and the number of eggs retrieved per cycle (around 15-30) is negligible compared to the total amount in your ovarian reserve (usually hundreds of thousands).

    The clinic you work with will conduct a medical screening to ensure you are physically prepared for the process, and the team will monitor you carefully throughout to help keep the cycle safe.

About The Genesis Group

  • The Genesis Group is an egg donation and fertility agency that facilitates journeys between intended parents and egg donors who join our program. Founded in 2003, we are one of the most experienced and trusted egg donation agencies in the United States.

    We work with egg donors and intended parents, as well as surrogates and sperm donors from a diverse background. We coordinate in-state, out-of-state, and international fertility journeys and take pride in offering all of our Genesis donors industry-leading care through a commitment to your personal needs, ethics, and expectations.

  • As our president and former intended parent Lisa Chiya always says, what makes Genesis special is our team.

    With over two decades of experience, we have well-established, firsthand expertise navigating fertility journeys and facilitating safe, rewarding egg donations.

    For egg donors specifically, we emphasize customized compensation, dedicated case manager support, and a matching process designed around donor comfort and empowerment. We are also committed to our ethics-first approach through our founding member status in The Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS).

  • Yes, The Genesis Group works with intended parents both in the U.S. and internationally. You can set your matching preferences, if any, while building your egg donor profile.

The Egg Donation Journey

  • Becoming an egg donor with an agency like The Genesis Group typically follows these steps.

    • Complete our five-minute online application to see if you qualify.

    • Once approved, you will build your anonymous donor profile alongside our team. The profile includes photos, personality questions, academic records (if applicable), family history, and desired compensation.

    • Simultaneously, you will complete any needed paperwork from your donor coordinator.

    • When an intended parent shows interest in your profile, we will help schedule a match meeting or share their profile for your review.

    • If you choose to move forward, the match commences and you officially begin your egg donation journey.

  • You can apply to become a Genesis egg donor by completing our five-minute online application here. If you meet the basic qualifications, you’ll be invited via email to build a profile in our private database and submit details like photos, family background, and medical history.

    From there, our team will walk you through screening, profile approval, matching, and your egg donation cycle.

  • Once your egg donor profile is approved and your documents are complete, your profile is added to the donor database and presented to intended parents who may be a good match.

    Intended parents may ask for follow-up questions, more photos, or request a meeting based on your contact preferences. Your coordinator will facilitate this communication, after which you will decide whether or not you would like to match. Once you mutually agree to move forward with a family, the match officially commences.

    The time it takes to be matched can vary depending on your profile and what intended parents are looking for at the time.

  • Following your match, the egg donation timeline typically occurs as follows:

    • You’ll complete a psychological evaluation and genetic screening.

    • You may require bloodwork early in your cycle (often on day 3 of your period).

    • The clinic will schedule your medical screening appointment.

    • You may be placed on birth control to help sync your cycle with the intended mother or surrogate (if needed).

    • Once you are medically cleared, the legal process begins and an attorney is provided for you to review your donor agreement.

    • After legal clearance, the clinic issues your medication calendar and estimated retrieval date.

    • You will then begin medications and attend monitoring appointments until the egg retrieval.

  • Once you’re matched with an intended parent or family, the process usually takes around 2 to 3 months from start to finish. The final weeks are the most time-intensive because monitoring appointments are frequent throughout your daily medication cycle, usually in the early morning.

Egg Donation Requirements

  • To become an egg donor at The Genesis Group, you typically need to meet the following criteria:

    • You are between the ages 21-29 or a previous donor

    • You are a non-smoker and do not use drugs

    • You are currently enrolled in or have completed university

    • You have a BMI within a healthy range (IVF clinic requirement)

    • Your family has a strong health history and medical background

    • You have typical, regular menstrual cycles

    • You do not use or are willing to pause any implant-based birth control

  • Common disqualifiers can include:

    • Current smoking or nicotine use

    • BMI outside clinic limits, typically above 29

    • Significant medical concerns or risk factors in family history

    • Irregular cycles that would complicate treatment and medications

    • Taking certain medications or health conditions

    • In some cases, having an incomplete medical/family history

  • Egg donors are typically accepted between ages 21 and 29 (with some flexibility for proven previous donors). This is in line with clinic restrictions based on the age range for highest fertility in women.

  • The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidance recommends limiting egg donation to 6 total treatment cycles in a donor’s lifetime. This recommendation is based on the physical demands of repeated ovarian stimulation and retrieval procedures.

  • It depends on the type of birth control you use. Many donors can still qualify if they’re on certain forms of birth control, and clinics often use birth control pills as part of their cycle scheduling. If you use an implant-based method (like an implant or some IUDs), you may need to pause or remove it for at least 3-6 months before starting your cycle. This is often required by the clinic to better control the timing of your medication and retrieval calendar.

  • Yes. In many cases, college students are a strong fit for donor programs. Currently enrollment or having completed university can help with eligibility and matching based on the preferences of intended parents in our program. Parents often consider educational background as part of their donor selection process to connect or relate to candidates.

  • Yes. Egg donation is still possible if you’ve had your tubes tied because the eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries. The fallopian tubes are not involved in the egg retrieval process.

  • Egg donor requirements are set by IVF clinics and based on BMI, due to the impact it can have on response to injected medication, egg quality, and cycle safety. Our agency currently requires donors to have a BMI of 29 or less based on the restrictions placed by the IVF clinics with whom we frequently partner.

  • No, egg donors must be non-smokers, including no nicotine use. Clinics may test for nicotine during the cycle, and a positive test can result in cancellation.

    If you’ve smoked in the past, you must be nicotine-free for at least 3 months before applying.

  • Yes, you will be asked to provide family medical history when building your profile. Intended parents and IVF clinics rely on this information during genetic screening to better understand your background and any potential genetic incompatibilities.

  • Yes, provided you have access to your biological family’s medical history. Because egg donation involves passing on genetic information, clinics usually require a clear family medical history. If your adoption was closed and your medical history is unknown, it may be more difficult to match or receive clinic approval.

  • A history of anxiety, depression, or ADHD may not automatically disqualify you, but it will be reviewed as part of your screening process. Clinics assess the severity of symptoms, whether they’re well-managed, your current treatment plan, and whether a doctor/mental health provider clears you to move forward. In some cases, additional psychological evaluation may be required before approval, and current medication can result in disqualification.

Ready to start your journey with Genesis?

Become an Egg Donor

Matching With Intended Parents

  • Egg donation can be anonymous, semi-open, or open, depending on what everyone agrees to. Many egg donation journeys are anonymous while others are semi-open or open, meaning there is an agreed-upon level of contact between the donor, the intended parents, and the future child.

  • Most egg donation cycles are anonymous, but some intended parents and donors prefer more open arrangements. We’ll talk through your preferences during the application process so we only match you with families who align with your comfort level.

  • When you build your egg donor profile with The Genesis Group, you will have the opportunity to set your journey preferences including your desired level of contact with the intended parents.

    If you would like to meet the parents before approving a match, we will facilitate a meeting provided all parties are comfortable doing so.

  • If you are open to travel, you may go to the intended parents’ clinic for an initial visit, and then complete monitoring appointments at a clinic closer to home during the medication phase. A few days before retrieval, you’ll travel to the intended parents’ clinic and typically stay there for 5-10 days (depending on the clinic policy).

    You’ll need a companion with you on the day of your egg retrieval for transportation. All travel expenses are covered by the intended parents, including transportation for your companion. If you don’t have someone available to travel with you, we can also help arrange support.

Compensation & Financial Questions

  • At The Genesis Group, egg donor compensation can vary based on a range of factors, such as experience, qualifications, educational background, compatibility with intended parents and fertility history.

    Top egg donors can earn up to $40,000-$100,000+, while many choose a lower compensation to increase their chances of matching faster with the right intended parent or couple.

  • No, there is no cost to becoming an egg donor. The intended parents you match with will cover cycle-related expenses, including medical costs and travel.

  • Egg donors are typically given a medication start fee when they begin stimulation medications, and the remaining compensation is paid after the retrieval takes place (usually within a few days).

    Compensation is set entirely by you as the egg donor and listed on your profile, while a recommended amount can vary based on experience, qualifications, and fertility history. Compensation may increase with repeat cycles and a proven donation track record.

  • We use independent, third party escrow companies to safely hold funds for your journey and compensation.

    Intended parents choose from reputable escrow firms such as SeedTrust or Clarity. We do not hold funds in-house, nor do we allow unverified or newly established escrow companies to ensure your compensation and the parents’ funds are protected. Escrow accounts must be fully funded per contractual obligations throughout your journey.

Medications & Appointments

  • Most egg donors take a combination of fertility medications to help the ovaries mature multiple eggs safely and on schedule. A typical cycle may include:

    • Birth control pills (to regulate/sync the cycle)

    • Stimulation medications (FSH/LH) to grow follicles and mature eggs

    • A medication to prevent early ovulation

    • A trigger shot immediately before retrieval

    • Sometimes antibiotics or other medications around retrieval

    Your exact protocol is customized by the fertility clinic to your needs. You can read our Medication Guide here to learn exactly what you may be taking and what to expect.

  • Most donors believe that injections can sometimes be uncomfortable rather than painful. 

    They’re usually given with very small needles (often in the lower abdomen), and many donors say they feel like a quick pinch. Read our Medication Guide here to learn more.

  • Before you start an egg donation journey, you will complete a medical screening and a baseline appointment. Screening usually includes:

    • Bloodwork (hormones and infectious disease screening)

    • Ultrasound/ovarian reserve review

    • Genetic screening and family history review

    • Psychological evaluation

    • Medical history review

    At your baseline appointment before you start medications, you will receive:

    • AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) testing for fertility

    • Bloodwork for estrogen levels

    • Uterine lining testing

    • Your exact testing plan may vary by clinic, but the goal is always to confirm that donation is safe for you and the intended parents.

    This support is of course on top of our journey support and coordination efforts.

  • The screening appointment is used to confirm that you’re medically eligible to move forward as an egg donor. It usually includes a general health review, bloodwork, fertility testing (including AMH to check ovarian reserve), an ultrasound to look at your follicles, and standard screenings like infectious disease and drug testing. Depending on the clinic, you may also complete genetic testing and final paperwork around this stage.

  • The baseline appointment happens after screening and right before you start medications. At this visit, the clinic checks that your hormone and estrogen levels, ovarian reserve, and uterine lining are where they need to be to begin the medication cycle. This appointment usually includes an ultrasound, bloodwork, and your medication instructions for the next phase.

  • Common short-term side effects can include bloating, cramping, fatigue, mood changes, and mild discomfort during stimulation or following retrieval

    Many donors recover quickly, but everyone responds a little differently. Your clinic and case manager will tell you what’s normal and what should be reported to the clinic.

  • Your clinic will give you exact instructions, but common restrictions include avoiding:

    • Smoking/nicotine

    • Heavy drinking or drug use

    • Strenuous exercise or high-impact activity, especially late in stimulation and following the egg retrieval

    • Sex or unprotected sex, depending on clinic instructions

    • Missing or mistiming medications

    The most important rule is to follow your calendar closely. Timing is crucial during a donor cycle.

  • OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) is uncommon, but it’s important to know the warning signs. Contact your clinic right away if you have symptoms such as:

    • Severe or worsening abdominal pain

    • Rapid weight gain

    • Significant bloating

    • Heavy bleeding

    • Fever

    • Shortness of breath

    • Severe nausea/vomiting

    Your clinic will give you a specific aftercare list of symptoms to watch for after retrieval. You can view our Rest and Recovery Guide here for more information.

Retrieval & Recovery

  • The egg retrieval procedure usually takes about 20 minutes, but you should plan for a longer clinic visit overall. Between check-in, preparation, sedation and recovery, the full appointment is often 2-3 hours. You should take the whole day off and have a companion to drive you to and from the clinic.

    This support is of course on top of our journey support and coordination efforts.

  • Most donors recover after a couple days, but recovery can vary. You’ll usually rest in the clinic for 30-60 minutes following the procedure, then take the rest of the day off. Mild bloating, cramping, and fatigue are common for a few days, and it’s best to avoid strenuous activity until your doctor clears you. Our Rest and Recovery Guide details recommendations for a quick and easy recovery process.

  • Yes. Because retrieval is done under sedation/light anesthesia, you will need a companion to drive you home afterward.

Common Concerns

  • Most appointments are scheduled in the early morning, which helps many donors avoid major conflicts with work or school. Our team will work around your schedule to ensure the process is not intrusive to your daily life. The main day you will need to set aside is the day of your egg retrieval, and if travel is required, the time for your stay near the clinic.

    This support is of course on top of our journey support and coordination efforts.

  • At The Genesis Group, you’ll have a dedicated case manager to help coordinate appointments and communication, answer questions, and guide you through each phase of the cycle. We’re here to make the process as smooth and supported as possible.

  • OHSS is a rare response to fertility medications that can cause symptoms like bloating, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or flu-like symptoms. In most cases, symptoms are mild and improve on their own, but more serious cases may require medical attention. Your clinic will monitor your hormone levels and follicles closely throughout your cycle to reduce the risk.

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Become an Egg Donor