There are women who are unable to produce eggs. This happens naturally during menopause at the age of 46 to 50, or due to premature menopause, which can occur at any age, even to women aged 26 years old.
Premature menopause, or Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) could be of unknown origin (idiopathic origin) or the outcome of chemotherapy or radiotherapy for the treatment of any kind of cancer. Premature Ovarian Failure may also occur to cases where genetic conditions are present such as hypoplastic atrophic ovaries or Turner syndrome etc. All women have the right to pregnancy.
Women who had undergone a lot of unsuccessful IVF attempts, or women whose ovaries do not respond to the usual ovulation induction treatment, chose to seek (turn to) egg donation.
Until recently, egg donation was performed to women with genetic or gene dysfunction, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, hereditary breast or colon cancer, deaf – dumb cases etc. Today, however, Pre implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is beginning to be applied, offering the possibility of detecting the presence of these dysfunctions and transferring healthy only embryos. So, these women, no longer need egg donation.
However, a number of women with POF of unknown origin or idiopathic etiology were able to produce eggs after treatment with DHEA and so avoided egg donation.
Egg donation is anonymous
According to the Greek legislation regarding Assisted Reproduction (2005), anonymity between the egg donor and the recipient is essential.
In our Centre, there is an egg donation protocol for women who anonymously donate their eggs.
The success rate is high, reaching 65%. This is mainly due to the young age of the donors (20 – 30 years old)
The donors’ screening is complete and meticulous. A number of factors are also considered, such as the appearance, height, weight, age and intellectual condition.
As soon as the donors sign their consent, they proceed to full blood evaluation for
- Blood group, Rhesus
- thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia, cystic fibrosis
- hepatitis B and C, AIDS, HIV I and II, syphilis and chlamydia
- An ultrasound scan follows to assess the condition of the ovaries. The condition of the heart is also checked.
The suitable induction of ovulation treatment is then prescribed to the donors for the oocyte production which are collected under mild anesthesia.
If you want to become an egg donor, contact Neogenesis IVF Centre at +30 210 6828150 – 2.