If you’re thinking about becoming an egg donor, you’re bound to have a lot of questions. Donating eggs can interrupt normal day-to-day activity, like having sex. Often, we hear questions such as:
- Is it possible to have sex while undergoing the donation process?
- What are the risks of having sex while donating eggs?
- Should I stop having sex altogether, and when is it safe to start again?
Today, we’re here to explain why having sex while donating eggs can be risky. While being sexually active is no problem at all if you want to become a donor, you need to take extra care when having sex during the egg donation process due to a few increased risks.
If you have any questions, we’re here to answer them. Feel free to contact us or take a look at our Donor FAQs.
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What happens if I have sex while donating eggs?
This is the million dollar question, which many of our donors ask when they start their donation journey. As you may know, you have to undergo a particular hormonal treatment when you donate eggs. This hormonal treatment tells your ovaries to produce more eggs than normal, which helps us when it comes to collecting them and means we can collect multiple eggs (instead of just one!).
It is recommended to not have sexual intercourse during this medical treatment because two things can happen:
Multiple pregnancy
During the treatment, your ovaries are stimulated to produce eggs, meaning you are extra fertile. If you have sex, the chances of getting pregnant are very high. Even if you are careful, you should consider that the risks are multiplied. If you get pregnant, you’re also very likely to have a multiple pregnancy, meaning twins or even triplets.
Ovarian torsion
Ovarian torsion occurs when the ovary becomes twisted by its attachments to other ligaments, thus decreasing the flow of blood to the organs. This can be very dangerous, as it can only be treated with surgery. If not treated quickly, the ovary may have to be removed.
Although it is very rare, you have an increased risk of ovarian torsion while undergoing hormonal stimulation. For this reason, it is best to abstain from sex until after your treatment cycle has ended and your hormone levels are once again stable.
We would also recommend waiting until your next period following your treatment cycle before having sex again. This is because when your period returns, it is your body’s signal that everything is back to normal: you’re no longer at risk of having a multiple pregnancy or even an ovarian torsion.
Even so, donating is worth it
Although you won’t be able to have sex for a short while, the rewarding act of donating eggs is worth it! You’ll be helping other women and couples achieve their dream of having a family.
Every woman who donates eggs will also receive financial compensation for their donation. Covering costs including your time, travel and any inconvenience caused, we compensate donors £750 per cycle. This is regulated by law.
Plus, all of your blood tests, medical assessments and genetic analysis will be performed free of charge. This means that becoming a donor is accessible to anyone and there is no financial burden. If you have any questions, our team would be happy to help at our IVI London clinic.
