Many women who participate in egg donation (click here for more information) find themselves wondering whether or not egg donation is painful or uncomfortable. These are natural questions that can influence a woman's decision to donate eggs. It's important to know the likelihood of discomfort and potential problems that can occur during the process.
Does the egg donation procedure hurt?
Egg donation can be uncomfortable. During the procedure, patients are placed under sedation, so they do not experience pain while the procedure is taking place. However, when the procedure is over, they can experience symptoms similar to getting their period, including cramping, spotting, minimal bleeding and bloating.
Are there risks to egg donation?
Some women who undergo egg donation experience a condition called Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome. This condition is caused by the injection of the hormone during the egg donation process. While rare, Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) can affect some women who undergo the procedure. Women with this condition can experience:
While only 1 to 2 percent of women affected by OHSS may experience a severe case of the condition, it can be life threatening. Mild cases are treated with medication and lifestyle adjustments, such as abstaining from sexual intercourse and getting rest. These cases typically go away on their own. Severe cases are treated with medication and sometimes surgery.
To ensure that patients are not affected by this condition, clinics follow up with patients after the procedure. Women who donate remain in contact with the clinic for a certain period of time after donation, and are encouraged to report any evidence of complications after the surgery is over.
Is preparation for the egg donation procedure uncomfortable?
Preparation for the egg donation procedure can be uncomfortable. In the month before the procedure takes place, the patient takes hormones and chemicals to regulate her cycles and to match the donor recipient. During this phase of the procedure, the donor may experience irritability, bloating, nausea and fatigue. Each patient is different, so symptoms can vary.
Egg donation is an involved process. Many women experience weeks of discomfort in the time leading up to the procedure, and mild discomfort for a limited time after the process is complete. If you have questions about whether or not egg donation is right for you, and would like to know more about the discomfort you may experience during egg donation, speak with your physician.
Share20 June 2016
One day I was playing a game of basketball with a friend, and the friend I was playing ball with tripped and took a hard fall to the ground. He hit his head hard, but he insisted he was okay and just wanted to go home and take a nap. I knew in my heart that he was not thinking clearly, and I didn't feel right letting him go home. I talked him into letting me take him to the hospital, and after some tests, it was determined he had a bad concussion. The doctors told me that if I had let him go home and sleep, things could have taken a turn for the worse. I created this blog to remind everyone to look out for each other after injuries. Not everyone thinks clearly after a head injury, and just being a good friend could save a life.