Is egg donation dangerous? In truth, egg donation is an act of selfless giving, inspiring countless people to reflect on the meaning and value of life. This act not only helps create new life but also brings hope and fulfillment to families who long to have children. Through egg donation, donors share love and kindness, planting the seeds of life and allowing more families to experience the miracle and beauty of creation.
Understanding Egg Donation from the Beginning
Do you know someone who has struggled to conceive—even after multiple rounds of IVF? If not, you’ve probably heard about Taiwanese actress Joanne Zeng’s story of enduring “a thousand injections” during her IVF journey, or perhaps watched the popular Taiwanese drama “Mother to Be”, which vividly portrays the emotional challenges of couples trying to start a family.
These real-life examples highlight the difficulties of infertility—and why egg donation has become a crucial path for many families to realize their dream of having a child.
The Inspiration Behind “Egg Donation” — A Journey of Hope
The founding of Global Egg Donor was inspired by a deeply personal experience. In Taiwan, I faced numerous challenges with infertility—after five unsuccessful IVF attempts, my doctor finally suggested egg donation. That moment opened my eyes to the reality that, for many infertile couples and members of the LGBT community, egg donation is not only a ray of hope but sometimes the only possible path to parenthood.
Through the Global Egg Donor Platform, I hope to help more intended mothers understand egg donation, receive healthy embryos, and ultimately experience the joy of carrying and giving birth to a healthy baby.
Spreading the Hope of Egg Donation
At Global Egg Donor, we’ve received numerous inquiries from infertile couples and LGBT individuals seeking egg donors who resemble them in appearance. However, due to Taiwan’s legal restrictions, egg donation is conducted anonymously—matching is done solely by doctors based on medical compatibility and blood type. This means intended parents cannot see photos or learn additional details about their donor.
For many intended mothers, this lack of transparency feels incomplete. As a result, an increasing number of women are choosing to work with U.S. fertility centers, where they can view donor profiles and select someone who shares similar physical features, ensuring a more personal and meaningful connection to their future child.
Egg Donation — A Bridge of Hope
Promoting awareness and encouraging participation in egg donation has always been the mission of Global Egg Donor. Egg donation not only gives infertile families and LGBT couples the opportunity to have children, but also represents support for diverse family structures in modern society.
In Taiwan, the Ministry of Health and Welfare offers a maximum compensation of NT$99,000 to anonymous egg donors. This “nutritional allowance” serves as a token of appreciation and compensates donors for any physical discomfort caused by hormone injections and egg retrieval.
Globally, regulations and compensation standards for egg donors vary by country. In the United States, egg donation and surrogacy are both fully legal and well-regulated, with an advanced medical system and comprehensive legal protection. With decades of experience and consistently high IVF success rates, the U.S. has become the top destination for intended parents and a major market for donors of all ethnicities and genetic backgrounds.
Related Reading: [Egg Donation Requirements — Essential Guide for First-Time Donors]
Is Egg Donation Dangerous? Understanding the Process and Real Risks
The egg donation process is nearly identical to egg freezing, involving similar medications and medical evaluations. Egg retrieval is performed under general anesthesia, using a fine needle to collect mature eggs—no surgical incision or visible scar is left behind.
In Taiwan, the government encourages women of childbearing age who are not yet ready to conceive to freeze their eggs as a way to preserve future fertility options. This is especially common among women in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu, where the average maternal age is higher. The government even provides egg-freezing subsidies to support this choice.
Women who have successfully undergone egg freezing often gain a clearer understanding of their ovarian health and genetic profile, and some may later choose to become egg donors, helping others fulfill their dream of parenthood.
Egg Donation Risks: Are You Getting Enough Rest?
Is egg donation dangerous? Many women worry about side effects from donating eggs. According to global clinical studies, the number of egg donations or egg-freezing cycles does not cause future infertility or increase the risk of ovarian cancer. After donation, most women experience temporary discomfort such as ovarian enlargement, bloating, and nausea; drinking plenty of coconut water and high-protein beverages can help relieve these symptoms, which typically improve within 1–2 days.
During the first week after donation, try to avoid fried foods, sweets, and other irritating foods to support a smooth recovery. In real cases, only about 1% of donors develop OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), which may involve severe ascites, difficulty breathing, and nausea or vomiting. The risk mainly depends on whether donors get sufficient rest after egg retrieval; they should avoid lifting heavy objects or straining the ovaries.
However, global clinical analyses have not found long-term sequelae specifically caused by egg donation. Because ovulation-stimulating medications are used, donors should rest for at least one menstrual cycle after donation to allow the ovaries to recover before starting another cycle. What is OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome)?
For a detailed explanation, please refer to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at National Taiwan University Hospital.
The Egg Donation Process You Should Know
In both the United States and Taiwan, the egg donation process is generally similar. It mainly includes undergoing health evaluations, using ovulation-stimulating medication, and retrieving eggs through a minor surgical procedure.
The donation process is as follows:
| Stage | Process | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Matching Preparation | Matching with Intended Parents | The donation process begins only after intended parents confirm their interest. |
| 2. Health Examination | Day 2 of Menstrual Cycle | Blood tests are conducted to check AMH levels (to evaluate egg quality) and a transvaginal ultrasound is performed to count baseline follicles. |
| 3. Evaluation Criteria | AMH & Follicle Count | If AMH is above 3 and at least 20 follicles are detected, the donor proceeds to the next stage. |
| 4. Genetic & Chromosomal Testing | DNA Saliva & 23 Chromosome Pair Test | Donors must pass both genetic and chromosomal screening before proceeding. |
| 5. STD & Hepatitis Testing | Within the Last Month | Screening for sexually transmitted infections, drugs, and hepatitis must be completed within one month before departure to ensure donor health. |
| 6. Ovarian Rest | Starting from Day 3 of Menstrual Cycle | Donors begin taking birth control pills for 10–12 consecutive days to allow the ovaries to rest. |
| 7. Departure | Travel to the U.S. for Cycle Preparation | Upon arrival in the U.S., donors visit the clinic the next day for re-evaluation to confirm readiness. |
| 8. Arrival in the U.S. | Start Ovulation Stimulation | Around 4–5 days after arrival, the clinic schedules ovulation-stimulating injections. |
| 9. Ovulation Injection | Dosage & Monitoring | Dosage is adjusted by doctors based on the donor’s hormonal response. Donors return every 3–4 days for blood tests and ultrasounds to monitor follicle growth. |
| 10. Self-Injection | Daily Fixed-Time Injections | Donors must self-inject at least twice daily at the same time each evening. Note: The medication must be mixed with saline before injection and administered on time to ensure proper follicle development. |
| 11. Follow-Up Examination | Final Check | A final exam confirms that all conditions are met before the retrieval procedure. |
| 12. Egg Retrieval | Under General Anesthesia | While under anesthesia, the doctor uses a fine needle through the vaginal wall to collect eggs from the ovaries. |
| 13. Egg Quantity | Follicle Count & Egg Quality | More follicles indicate better response and higher egg quality; women under 30 typically yield about 20 eggs. |
| 14. Procedure Duration & Recovery | Surgery & Post-Op Rest | The entire process—including anesthesia, retrieval, and rest—takes about 2 hours. Once awake, the donor can return to her hotel to rest. |
Many girls are initially afraid to inject the ovulation-stimulating medication themselves. But after gritting their teeth and doing it a few times, they gradually get used to it — and even begin to understand the emotions of women undergoing IVF. There’s also the final “trigger shot,” which must be injected at the exact time specified by the doctor (sometimes in the middle of the night — yes, you’ll need to set an alarm!). Missing that golden timing is absolutely not an option.
Real-Life Egg Donation Story
One 165 cm, 43 kg donor experienced severe ovarian stimulation after her retrieval because she was too thin and didn’t drink enough water or protein afterwards. The next day, she vomited nearly 10 times and suffered from both nausea and diarrhea — classic signs of OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome). Although she immediately returned to the clinic for IV treatment, she was determined to continue donating to pay for her studies in the U.S. Over time, she donated four times in total — each time suffering the same symptoms — yet she never told her boyfriend or family.
Reminder for all girls: Earning money is important, but your health should always come first. Take good care of yourself!
Understanding Your Motivation
Many women choose to donate their eggs after seeing how difficult infertility can be — watching loved ones spend years, countless injections, and huge amounts of money trying to conceive. Globally, 1 in 8 couples faces infertility. For many donors, beyond the financial compensation, the true motivation lies in helping another woman become a mother — sharing a piece of themselves to create new life.
Be Clear About Your Decision
Some media portray egg donation as a business transaction. But it’s worth asking yourself deeper questions:
- What if one day, a child born from your eggs needed your help for a genetic medical reason — would you be willing?
- If you marry in the future, would you want your partner to know that your eggs were donated to another family?
These choices reflect your personal autonomy. Donating eggs is a deeply personal act of love — giving your healthy eggs to help another family experience the joy of life. However, the process involves numerous medical checks and hormone injections, requiring strong determination and responsibility.
If you withdraw halfway, you’ll need to reimburse the intended parents for their medical examination costs. So before deciding to donate, make sure you’re fully prepared — both physically and mentally.
A question worth reflecting on: If your only reason for donating eggs is to earn compensation, are the injections, risks, and physical fatigue really worth it?
Becoming a “Stork” — A Symbol of Life and Hope
Once you fully understand the risks and process, and still choose to become a “stork” — a bringer of life — your selfless love and determination will become the source of hope and happiness for many families around the world.
Further reading: Egg donation in the United States [Risks and Common Problems]
Fly, Egg Donor Girl — Follow Your Heart
From application to successful matching and medical screening, the egg donation process typically takes at least three months. In Taiwan, the donor must initially cover the cost of medical exams and airfare to the U.S. The compensation provided by intended parents — known as the donor stipend — is meant to cover the discomfort of hormone injections, post-retrieval recovery, and nutrition expenses during this period.
This journey may be challenging, but with determination and courage, those who dream of becoming “stork girls” — bringing life and hope to others — can successfully travel abroad to donate and fulfill that meaningful dream.
The Joy After Successful Egg Donation
Every successful egg donor demonstrates remarkable strength and resilience throughout the process. Their selfless act of donation reflects not only kindness but also deep compassion for others’ happiness. This courage and generosity will forever be remembered by the families they help create.
Egg Donation — A Loving Act of Giving
Each successful donation can yield around 25 eggs, of which 20 may mature, and when fertilized with the intended father’s sperm, about 15 embryos are considered a very good outcome.
However, whether these embryos can successfully lead to pregnancy is another chapter for the intended parents. After donation, they will still face crucial steps such as:
- PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening) — to ensure no chromosomal abnormalities.
- Embryo Grading — to select the best-quality embryos for implantation.
- Gestational Surrogacy — for intended mothers who cannot carry the pregnancy themselves.
The journey toward parenthood doesn’t end with egg donation — it’s only the beginning of creating new life.
Your Safety, Protected by Global Egg Donor
At Global Egg Donor, we understand the anxiety that comes with traveling alone overseas to donate eggs. That’s why we only collaborate with licensed and reputable reproductive medical institutions in the United States and other countries — ensuring that every donor is protected under proper medical and legal safeguards.
Even when you’re abroad, you’re never truly alone. Our 24-hour support team is always available to provide real-time assistance and answer your questions, no matter the time zone.
Your safety and health are our top priorities. Throughout your donation journey, we’re here to care for you — so you can feel secure, supported, and genuinely valued every step of the way.
Further Reading:
