What Are Egg Donor Requirements? Understanding the Screening Process

Egg donor requirements are guidelines designed to protect intended parents and support healthy outcomes throughout the egg donation process—one that can feel both exciting and overwhelming! For intended parents pursuing egg donation, these standards help ensure donors meet specific medical, genetic, and personal criteria.

Remember, the process isn't just about finding a healthy egg donor; it's about finding someone who aligns with your vision for your family. Understanding egg donor qualifications and screening protocols gives you clarity and peace of mind during your search—and our Donor Concierge team is here to guide you with expertise and personalized support at every step.

Who Can Be an Egg Donor? 

Egg donors must meet specific medical, lifestyle, and reliability requirements to support healthy outcomes and a smooth egg donation process for intended parents.

While criteria may vary slightly, most agencies have similar qualifications for egg donor candidates to ensure the best outcomes for donors and potential offspring:

• Age: Egg donors should be between 21 and 31 years old, as egg quality and quantity decline with age. 

• Overall health and weight: Donors must be in good mental and physical health, with a body mass index (BMI) between 19 and 29. 

• Lifestyle: Egg donation disqualifiers include smoking, drug use, or a history of substance abuse. 

• Reproductive health: Potential donors should have regular monthly menstrual cycles and both ovaries. They should not be using Depo-Provera injections, Mirena IUDs, or implants as a form of birth control. 

• Dependability: The egg donation process can be time-consuming and requires adherence to a schedule, including injections and attending appointments.

What Happens During the Egg Donor Screening Process?

Once a potential donor meets baseline requirements, they undergo a comprehensive screening process that evaluates their physical, mental, and genetic health.  

• Medical screening: This includes testing for Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) to evaluate egg quality and quantity, along with assessments of blood type, infectious diseases, drug use, and general health. 

• Psychological screening: Potential donors must consult a psychologist to understand the benefits and risks of egg donation and ensure they have healthy motivations for becoming donors. 

• Genetic screening: Family history is assessed for potential hereditary diseases or genetic disorders, including cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and others. 

How Do You Find the Best Egg Donor Match?

Finding the best egg donor match involves balancing medical eligibility with personal, genetic, and emotional preferences that matter most to you and your family. Many intended parents have specific preferences for donors, including:

• Ethnicity

• Religion

• Highly educated

• Physical traits:

• Geographic location

Finding the ideal egg donor match can be challenging—especially when browsing through so many donor profiles—but we're here to guide you through the process and ensure a smooth, positive journey and outcome.

Ready to Find the Right Egg Donor for Your Family?

Our experienced, caring Donor Concierge team is here to help you navigate egg donor requirements with clarity and confidence. We have decades of experience and trusted relationships with reputable egg donor agencies that conduct thorough screenings.

We also have access to the world's largest proprietary egg donor database. Tell us your specific preferences for an egg donor, and we'll curate a list of 20 to 60 qualified egg donor candidates for you to review. Learn more and request a free consultation today to get started.