The common reasons to consider egg donation as fertility treatment

15Jan

The common reasons to consider egg donation as fertility treatment

1) OVARIAN ISSUES – This is the most common reason.

  • Poor ovarian reserve – this can be checked with anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) or ultrasound scan findings of antral follicle count
  • Post-menopausal women
  • Poor egg quality – this can be verified usually only through IVF processes
  • Premature ovarian failure – Investigation through blood and hormonal studies

 

2) AGE ISSUES

  • Egg quality and quantity are reduced and affected significantly by age.
  • In general, fertility declines rapidly after the age of 35.
  • Advanced in age, commonly from 42 years of age onwards

 

3) MULTIPLE FAILED IVF TREATMENT CYCLES with own eggs

 

4) GENETIC FACTORS

  • Some genetic diseases may pass down to the offsprings.
  • Donor eggs can avoid this risk

 

5) MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR TREATMENTS INCLUDING….

  • Cancer patients who had chemotherapy or abdominal/pelvic radiotherapy are likely to have premature ovarian failure, poor quality eggs and/or unable to produce eggs
  • Born without functional ovaries or other genetic disorders like Turners Syndrome
  • Severe endometriosis can affect egg quality and other aspects of fertility.

For example……..

  • adhesions in the pelvis
  • blocked tubes
  • uterine implantation failure
  • destruction/damage to the ovaries

6) SOCIETAL AND FAMILY PRESSURE

  • Donor eggs can offer hope to a couple/person to procure offsprings.This is particularly important in a Chinese/Indian/Asian  society where  a person is expected to pass the family lineage down, when a normal route or IVF route with the person’s own eggs may not be possible.

 

7) FULFILLING THE DREAM OF HAVING A CHILD

  • When the possibility of using their own eggs is exhausted

 

8) SAME SEX MALE COUPLES OR SINGLE MALE WISHING TO HAVE A CHILD

  • In these scenarios, surrogacy is required. The surrogate can be known or unknown to the person.  In Australia, surrogacy is illegal unless it is non-commercial and fulfil other legal requirements.  A Surrogacy Lawyer may be very helpful and almost certainly needs to be involved.

 

Overall, donated eggs are usually from young women, and therefore, are of good quality and have a high success rate.

Using donated eggs give the opportunity for successful conception in otherwise little to hopeless situations.

Please discuss with your Fertility Specialist to discuss any issues and concerns, or if you have any questions considering egg donation as your next step in fulling the dream of parenthood.