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Egg donation
Is Egg Donation Painful?
Egg donation is a huge commitment that allows couples and single women overcome fertility struggles and build a family.
However, concerns often arise around whether the process is painful for egg donors. “Is she doing alright after the egg retrieval? Is our dear donor in pain?” These are very common questions we at NGC receive from our patients.
In this article, we will delve into the pain perception in egg donation. Read further as we debunk common myths and give insights into the actual experience to you. In the end, you will see that egg donation is a humane process.
Pain One of the common misconceptions about egg donation (and IVF, in general!) is that it is a painful process that may interfere with health and daily routine. However, thanks to modern anesthesia and very fine ovarian puncture needles, the discomfort associated with egg donation has been greatly minimized. Donors are closely monitored throughout the process, and NGC ensures that exceeding pain and discomfort are timely noticed and addressed.
Each egg donation cycle consists of several stages. NGC clinic is contacted by women willing to become an egg donor daily. A comprehensive screening process is accomplished to ensure that those who want to donate eggs are eligible and have fertility potential. After being medically vetted, a young woman is ready to play her role in the crucial task of helping others.
Depending on the timing and patient’s needs, hormonal injections may start on Day 1 or Day 12 of menstrual cycle. Based on whether the donor is already experienced or not, these can be self-administered or made by NGC’s procedure nurse at the designated time. The shots stimulate donor’s ovaries and make them produce multiple eggs instead of just 1-2 mature eggs the body creates naturally each month. Before donor eggs are retrieved during ovarian puncture, the final trigger shot gets done (usually 36 hours ahead of retrieval procedure). All the named shots may cause minor discomfort and leave very small bruises at the injection site, but, being subcutaneous, are by no means painful to a grown person.
During the stimulation phase, donors may experience mild bloating and cramps, as well as tenderness in the ovarian area. This is all due to the ovaries becoming enlarged while multiple follicles grow inside them. Although these sensations may cause anxiety, they are temporary and typically do not require additional medical support. They fully subside after the egg retrieval procedure takes place. The actual egg retrieval is performed under sedation, ensuring that the donor feels no pain whatsoever. Sexual rest is mandatory throughout the stimulation and after the egg retrieval. Not following this advice poses multiple health risks, and we make sure that NGC’s donors are fully aware of that.
Pain Management While the donor is in a donation cycle, NGC takes all necessary measures to manage pain. Our medical team gives clear instructions on how to self-administer injections, may recommend pain-relieving options during the stimulation phase, and takes care of pain-management issues after egg retrieval by staying in touch with the donor.
After the egg retrieval, some donors may experience mild post-stimulation symptoms which typically subside within a few days. The occurrence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is almost ruled thanks to the safety measures implemented in NGC’s donor stimulation practice, as well as properly scheduled ultrasound monitoring where we assess follicular growth. 99% of egg donors resume their normal activities shortly after the egg retrieval procedure and report absolutely no long-term effects related to pain.
Egg donation is a compassionate act that truly augments happiness in this world. While minor discomfort may be experienced by donors during the process, the overall pain perception in egg donation is very frequently overestimated. We at NGC aim to empower donors to stay confident in their safety during donation cycles.