Egg Donors
October 14, 2026 at 3:45:00 AM
The most common factors that can disqualify you from donating eggs include being outside the program’s age or BMI requirements, tobacco or nicotine use, having certain medical or reproductive conditions, or being unable to provide enough information about your family health history. However, egg donor eligibility requirements vary between programs and agencies, so being outside of one program’s criteria does not necessarily mean you would be ineligible everywhere.
Factors That Can Disqualify You From Donating Eggs
Egg donor screening looks at several areas of your health, reproductive history, family history, and lifestyle. Some requirements are firm, while others need to be reviewed by the fertility clinic before a decision can be made.
Age Requirements for Egg Donation
At Growing Generations, egg donors must be between the ages of 21 and 29.
Age requirements can vary among egg donation programs. While some organizations may have broader eligibility criteria, Growing Generations has established an age range that reflects both program standards and clinical considerations. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidance on gamete and embryo donation recommends that egg donors ideally be between ages 21 and 34.
These guidelines exist because both egg quantity and egg quality naturally change over time. Age can also influence how the ovaries respond to the medications used during an egg donation cycle.
BMI and Weight Restrictions for Egg Donation
At Growing Generations, egg donors are generally required to have a BMI below 27.5 and be at least 5 feet tall. In certain circumstances, exceptions may be considered based on an individual's overall health, body composition, and athletic background.
BMI guidelines are based on medical considerations related to the egg donation process. Factors such as ovarian response to stimulation medications, anesthesia considerations, and procedural safety may influence eligibility requirements.
These criteria are intended to support donor safety and optimize clinical outcomes. They are not a judgment of your health, fitness, or appearance. Your BMI and overall medical eligibility will ultimately be assessed as part of a comprehensive medical evaluation. If you are near the BMI threshold, eligibility may change over time depending on individual circumstances.
Ovarian Reserve and Reproductive Health
Growing Generations requires donors to have both ovaries and regular menstrual periods. Two ovaries are required because having only one can substantially reduce the number of eggs available during a donation cycle, making it less likely that ovarian stimulation will produce enough eggs for retrieval.
Regular periods are another indicator fertility specialists consider when evaluating reproductive health. An irregular cycle does not automatically disqualify you, but it may lead to additional evaluation to determine whether there is an underlying condition affecting your eligibility.
Your ovarian reserve is also assessed during medical screening. A blood test measures anti-Müllerian hormone, or AMH, which helps estimate how your ovaries may respond to stimulation medication. An ultrasound measures your antral follicle count, or the number of small follicles visible in your ovaries. If these results fall below the fertility clinic’s requirements, you may not qualify to donate because the cycle is less likely to produce enough eggs.
A low ovarian reserve result for egg donation does not mean you are infertile. These tests are used to predict how your ovaries may respond to fertility medications, not whether you can become pregnant naturally. You can learn more from ACOG on reproductive health.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can also make you temporarily ineligible to donate. Once you are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding and your menstrual cycle has returned, your eligibility can be reassessed.
Medical Conditions and Health History for Egg Donation
Some health conditions, genetic disorders, or family medical history factors will prevent you from donating eggs, while others are reviewed individually. Eligibility decisions are based on a comprehensive review of your health history, family medical background, and screening results, weighed against whether the condition could affect your health during treatment, your response to fertility medications, or the genetic or infectious-disease risks associated with donation.
Usually disqualifying:
A diagnosed genetic disorder that could be inherited
HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C
A chronic condition that is not compatible with the medications or procedures involved in egg donation
Certain conditions that require lifelong daily medication or frequent medical follow-up
Egg donors undergo infectious-disease screening because federal regulations require reproductive tissue donors to be evaluated and tested for certain communicable diseases.
Reviewed case by case:
Endometriosis
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Some chronic health conditions that are well managed
Conditions that may affect ovarian function or response to stimulation medication
With conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis, the diagnosis alone does not determine your eligibility. The fertility specialist considers the severity of the condition, your symptoms, medications, ovarian function, and how your body is likely to respond during a donation cycle, as part of a comprehensive review of your health history and screening results.
Be complete and accurate when filling out your application. Leaving out a medical condition can delay or cancel a cycle if it's discovered during screening, while sharing your full medical and family health history allows the screening team and fertility specialists to conduct a thorough evaluation and determine whether you can safely move forward with donation.
Family's Health History
Growing Generations requires donors to provide an up-to-date family health history. Applicants may be disqualified when that history includes multigenerational inheritable conditions, such as certain hereditary cancers or genetic disorders.
This information matters because a donor-conceived child inherits genetic material from the egg donor. Intended parents and their physicians use your family medical history to understand potential inherited health risks.
Genetic carrier screening is a separate part of the process. A blood or saliva test may identify recessive genetic conditions you carry even when no one in your family has been diagnosed with them. Being a carrier does not automatically mean you cannot donate. Your results are reviewed in the context of the intended parents’ reproductive plan and any additional genetic testing that may be appropriate.
Medications and Supplements for Egg Donation
Taking a prescription medication does not necessarily disqualify you from donating eggs.
The important questions are whether the medication can safely be taken alongside fertility medications and whether it could interfere with ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, or your overall health during the cycle.
Some medications may need to be stopped for a specific period before you can donate. That can make your eligibility temporary rather than permanently ruling you out. Birth control is a common example. Oral contraceptives and IUDs generally do not prevent you from becoming an egg donor, although an IVF clinic may have specific instructions for your cycle. Longer-acting methods, such as injectable contraception or certain implants, may require a waiting period or removal before stimulation can begin.
You should also list every vitamin, herbal product, workout supplement, and other over-the-counter supplements you take. Most will not prevent you from donating, but your screening physician needs the complete list to make that determination.
Mental Health and Psychological Screening for Egg Donation
Every Growing Generations donor completes psychological screening as part of the egg donation process. The goal is not to eliminate anyone who has ever experienced mental health challenges. The evaluation helps make sure you understand the emotional implications of egg donation, can provide informed consent, and are in a stable place to move forward.
A history of mental health treatment or support does not automatically disqualify someone from becoming an egg donor. As part of the screening process, mental health history is reviewed to help ensure that donation is a positive and appropriate experience for each donor. Factors such as current well-being, treatment history, medication use, and overall stability may be considered as part of a comprehensive evaluation.
Eligibility decisions are based on an individual's complete circumstances rather than any single diagnosis or past experience.
Smoking, Drug Use, and Lifestyle Factors For Egg Donors
Growing Generations requires egg donors to not use tobacco and to have no history of substance abuse.
That requirement includes cigarettes, vaping, and other nicotine products. Occasional or social nicotine use still counts as nicotine use. Nicotine can affect reproductive health and how the ovaries respond during fertility treatment. Marijuana and other drug use are also reviewed during screening, and donors undergo drug screening as part of the medical evaluation.
Occasional social alcohol use does not by itself disqualify you from donating, although you will need to follow your clinic’s instructions about alcohol during an active donation cycle.
Location and Geographic Requirements for Egg Donation
We work with donors across the United States, and it is common for donors to travel as part of the process.
If travel is required for screening appointments or egg retrieval, Growing Generations will assist with coordinating the necessary arrangements. Eligible travel-related expenses, including accommodations, are covered according to program guidelines. As a result, geographic location is typically a logistical consideration rather than a barrier to participation.
Birth Control, IUDs, and Implants
You can generally apply to become an egg donor while using birth control.
Oral birth control pills and both hormonal and copper IUDs usually do not prevent you from donating. Your IVF clinic may adjust or temporarily stop a method before the cycle depending on the medication involved.
Long-acting injectable birth control and some implants may require more time. Your clinic may ask you to stop the medication, remove the device, or wait for normal menstrual cycles to return before beginning stimulation.
Tattoos and Piercings
Having tattoos or piercings does not prevent you from becoming an egg donor. The concern is the potential infection risk after a recent tattoo or piercing rather than the tattoo or piercing itself. Depending on when and where it was done, you may need to wait for a specified period before completing donor medical screening.
If you recently had one, include the date on your health history rather than assuming you cannot apply.
Having Already Had Children
Having children does not disqualify you from donating your eggs. In fact, information about a previous pregnancy can be useful to your screening team when reviewing your reproductive history. At the same time, having been pregnant before is not required.
A previous miscarriage or abortion also does not automatically prevent you from becoming an egg donor.
What Screening Before Egg Donation Checks
Most clear disqualifiers are identified early, during the application review, rather than after you have spent months going through appointments. Other questions require medical, psychological, or genetic screening before a final decision can be made.
Application and health questionnaire: You provide information about your health, reproductive history, medications, lifestyle, and family medical history.
Consultation: You’ll meet with a Donor Specialist who will guide you through the egg donation process, explain what to expect at each stage, review potential timelines and matching opportunities, discuss the different types of donation arrangements, and outline next steps. This is also an opportunity to ask questions and gain a clear understanding of the commitment involved before moving forward.
AMH Testing: As part of the screening process, you will complete a blood test to measure your Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) level, which provides insight into your ovarian reserve, or the estimated number of eggs remaining in your ovaries. Your AMH result helps determine whether you meet the program's eligibility criteria and whether you are likely to respond well to the medications used during an egg donation cycle.
Genetic screening: Testing and family health history are reviewed for inherited conditions that could affect eligibility or the intended parents’ treatment plan.
Psychological screening: A licensed mental health professional confirms that you understand egg donation and are prepared for the process.
Medical screening: The fertility clinic evaluates your hormone levels, antral follicle count, infectious disease panel, drug screening, and physical exam.
A separate legal contract with the intended parents is also completed before you begin your donation cycle. Learn more about how the egg donor process works.
Not Sure If You Qualify to be an Egg Donor? Apply and Find Out
Reading a list of egg donor requirements can help you understand the basics, but an application is the best way to find out how those requirements apply to you.
Your full application is reviewed by the Growing Generations team, giving you the opportunity to provide context about your health history, medications, reproductive history, and other circumstances. Some factors that prevent you from donating today may also be temporary rather than permanent.
Growing Generations has supported intended parents and donors for 30 years, with specialists available to guide donors from application through retrieval. If you want to learn more before applying, explore what it is like donating eggs with Growing Generations, including the support available throughout the process.
Growing Generations donors receive $10,000 for first time donors and $12,000 or more for experienced donors. You can review what egg donors are paid to better understand compensation and eligible expenses.
Your reasons for considering egg donation are your own. When you are ready to find out whether you qualify, start an egg donor application.
Egg Donation Requirement FAQs
Does donating eggs affect your own chances of having children later?
Current evidence does not suggest that egg donation reduces your ovarian reserve or your ability to have children later, although research into the long-term effects of repeat donation remains ongoing. Your fertility specialist will explain the known risks and answer your questions before you agree to a cycle.
How many times can you donate eggs?
Growing Generations allows qualified donors to donate up to six times. After each retrieval, an IVF physician reviews your medical records to determine whether another cycle is medically appropriate.
How long does it take to find out whether you qualify to be an egg donor?
Some eligibility questions can be answered during the initial application review, while final medical eligibility requires additional screening after you are selected. Medical screening includes testing that helps the fertility clinic determine whether it is safe and appropriate for you to move forward with a donation cycle.
Does never having been pregnant affect whether you can donate eggs?
No. You do not have to have been pregnant or had children to become an egg donor. Previous fertility can provide useful information during screening, but never having been pregnant does not automatically affect your eligibility.
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