If you or your partner are struggling with infertility, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) with donor eggs may be an option.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about IVF with donor eggs, from how it works to its success rates to the emotional challenges it can bring. We’ll also talk about how IVF with donor eggs can be a great way for LGBTQ couples to build their families.
We want to be clear that all families are created equal, and we support all couples who are trying to build their families, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
There are several reasons why a person or couple may need to use donor eggs to achieve a pregnancy through IVF. These include:
LGBTQ couples and individuals may need donor eggs for a variety of reasons:
Donor eggs can be a life-changing option for people struggling to conceive. With the help of donor eggs, people can build their families and experience the joy of parenthood.
The IVF process with donor eggs is similar to standard IVF but with a few key differences:
Fertility clinics sometimes offer preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) before embryo transfer to check for genetic problems. There are a variety of different types of genetic testing that can be performed by undergoing an IVF treatment with donor eggs. To learn about them all, visit our PGT page.
IVF with donor eggs is a complex and individualized treatment, so that success rates can vary depending on several factors, including the recipient’s age, the quality of the donor eggs, and the fertility clinic.
CDC data shows that 41.4% of women of all ages who had an embryo transfer using donor eggs or embryos had a live birth.
Separately, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) found that women who used eggs from healthy, young donors had a live birth rate of 51% per transfer.
It’s important to remember that these are averages. Some IVF cycles may have a higher or lower success rate depending on various factors, which we cover below.
IVF isn’t guaranteed to result in a successful pregnancy, and several factors can influence the success rates of IVF with donor eggs:
Recipients of an advanced maternal age (older than 35) are at an increased risk of certain adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cesarean delivery, chromosomal abnormalities, miscarriage, and preterm labor.
A 2021 study found that out of 343 completed IVF treatment cycles, the overall clinical pregnancy rate was 40.2%. Of these cycles, 69.4% (238/343) were donor egg cycles. Within the donor egg group, 99 (41.6%) clinical pregnancies were established, resulting in 92 (38.7%) live births.
You can find all of RMA’s IVF success rates here.
Certain medical conditions, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and uterine abnormalities, can affect IVF success rates, even with donor eggs.
Egg banks typically have strict age restrictions for donors, with a cutoff of 35 years old. This is because egg quality declines with age, and younger donors tend to have higher success rates regarding egg quality and the likelihood of achieving a successful pregnancy.
The donor’s reproductive health, physical traits, and genetic profile can also play a role in the success of donor egg IVF.
Selecting a donor with a healthy medical history, physical traits similar to the intended parent or parents, and a genetic profile compatible with the recipient’s is important.
Couples or recipients who choose a friend or family member as a donor may face additional challenges, including:
Fresh donor eggs are eggs that are retrieved from a donor and used immediately for IVF. Frozen donor eggs are eggs that have been cryopreserved (frozen) for later use.
In a fresh donor egg cycle, the donor and recipient are matched one-to-one for a singular IVF cycle. The allotment of eggs produced in a fresh donor egg cycle will vary. More than one fresh donor egg cycle may be necessary to meet the recipient’s family-building goals.
With frozen donor eggs, the donor eggs have been cryopreserved (frozen) for later use. Frozen eggs are readily available. Whether the eggs are frozen on-site or ready to ship to the IVF center, these eggs can be secured in specific allotments according to the recipient’s family-building goals.
IVF with fresh or frozen donor eggs is a viable family-building option for patients at RMA.
Other factors that can affect the success rate of IVF with donor eggs include:
According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), the live birth rate for donor egg IVF cycles in 2020 was 40.5% (for all ages). This is significantly higher than the average live birth rate per fresh and frozen IVF retrieval for women using their own eggs.
It’s important to note that these are just averages, and individual success rates may vary.
You can find all of RMA’s IVF success rates here.
Whether or not to consider IVF with donor eggs is a personal decision that depends on each individual’s unique circumstances and preferences.
Here are a few factors to consider:
If you’re considering IVF with donor eggs, RMA can help you make your dream of parenthood a reality.
Our fertility specialists are here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can create a customized plan that addresses your unique needs and maximizes your chances of success.
Give us a call or schedule a consultation to speak with one of our staff about your options and to learn more about which infertility treatment is best suited for you.