We adhere to ASRM guidelines and allow up to 6 egg donations total. You may choose to donate past the recommended 6 if the fertility doctor deems it safe to do so and/or for a designated sibling project request.

Yes, you may participate in egg donation with the level of understanding and comfort of knowing that this is an invasive procedure performed vaginally.

A minimum of three normal postpartum menstrual cycles is required prior to participating in an egg donation cycle. Breastfeeding is not permitted during an egg donation cycle.

Yes, this will not affect your egg donation eligibility.

Yes. We do not need your tubes to retrieve the ovum from your ovaries.

Unfortunately not, as we are unable to track your periods, which is required for a successful cycle.

Absolutely. Once your donation is complete, the eggs become the property of the Intended Parents. While AEM aims to match you with likeminded individuals, we cannot guarantee how the eggs will be used.

This varies from clinic to clinic, most often oral contraception is the best source for an egg donation. Hormonal IUDs, implants, and injectables will generally need to be removed/ceased before moving forward with an egg donation.

Under the Oocyte Donation Agreement, you’ll confirm that all children born—and any frozen eggs or embryos from your donation—legally belong to the Intended Parents. As the donor, you have no legal rights or responsibilities for any resulting children.

No, we will provide a supplemental insurance during your donation that will cover complications as a direct result of the egg donation. Your policy will go into effect at the start of injectable medications and through 180 days post-retrieval. Please remember; this insurance is good for complications related to your egg donation only and cannot be used as private healthcare.

Most egg donations are anonymous, but with today’s technology and social media, complete anonymity can’t be guaranteed. We take all reasonable steps to protect your privacy during and after the process. You also have the option to pursue an “open” donation if both you and the Intended Parents agree.

Once you are instructed to begin your injectable medications, there will be a “critical window” where you will be instructed to abstain from sexual intercourse with your partner.

Compensation generally begins at $8,000 and increases based on previous donor experience and cost of living in your area. While An Eggceptional Match will guide you on industry standards, the compensation requested is dictated solely by the egg donor. Compensation is offered in exchange for the time, inconvenience and level of commitment expected of you as an egg donor.

An Eggceptional Match is a full service, boutique style agency that custom matches you. The length of time may vary: a match may be successful within a few weeks, or it may take months. It is possible that an egg donation match does not occur. A custom and thoughtful match depends on many factors, including personalities, location, clinical approval, fees, insurance coverage and compatible moral/ethical beliefs. Although we realize that you are eager to get started on your journey, we strive to ensure the best possible match based on the wishes and needs of all parties.

Absolutely. We take matching intended parents and egg donors very seriously. Your profile will guide us on the most important attributes for the couples you may be interested in working with.

A textbook cycle from matching to retrieval is approximately 3-4 months.

Yes! AEM matches Intended parents to egg donors and gestational carriers throughout the United States and internationally.

If you live out of state, you’ll need to travel overnight for your initial consultation and medical/psychological screening. Once you begin injectable medications, plan for a 7–10 day stay to complete the egg donation and attend a follow-up before heading home. Requirements may vary by clinic. You’ll also need to bring a companion for the retrieval trip. Your Intended Parents will cover airfare, hotel, ground transportation, and daily stipends, which will be provided before you travel.

Yes. Please review the DO’S AND DON’TS DURING YOUR DONOR CYCLE on our egg donor page! 

Fertility medications used in egg donation are widely approved and trusted across the U.S. and globally, thanks to extensive testing by the FDA and scientific community. With thousands of donations each year and ASRM guidelines limiting donors to six cycles, the safety record is strong. Like any medication, side effects are possible. Be sure to discuss all risks with your physician during your screening, and consider speaking with your gynecologist to help you feel more confident in your decision.

Protocols vary based on factors like age and hormone levels, as determined by the fertility doctor. Most donors start with birth control to suppress ovulation and sync their cycle. Lupron is then used to keep the ovaries inactive until stimulation meds like FSH (or similar) are introduced to grow mature eggs. The final step is the trigger shot—usually HCG, Lupron, or both—which prepares the eggs for retrieval.

Yes. The shots are done at home. You can do them yourself, or have a friend or family member help you. The clinical team will teach you how to mix and administer your medication.

Everyone’s experience is different, but most donors describe the procedure as ‘uncomfortable’ rather than painful afterward. You might feel some bloating and mild cramping, while others don’t notice any side effects at all. We strongly recommend taking 48–72 hours after retrieval to rest, stay hydrated, increase your protein intake, and minimize physical activity. The more closely you follow these steps, the faster you’ll return to your normal routine. During the procedure itself, you’ll be under IV sedation (twilight anesthesia), so you won’t feel anything. Be sure to follow your post-retrieval clinical guidelines for the smoothest recovery.

The Intended Parents you’re matched with will cover all costs for your egg donation cycle from start to finish. This includes fees for medical procedures, medications, additional insurance, and travel. While you may have some minimal out-of-pocket expenses during the cycle, these will either be reimbursed or paid in advance whenever possible. Please note that AEM issues 1099 tax forms for any income you earn from your donation, excluding reimbursements.

We do supply an after-hours number, however, for true medical emergencies you would be advised to call 911 or your fertility doctor for any urgent medical needs.

The fertility clinic you’re working with will give you detailed post-op instructions to support your recovery. Be sure to avoid strenuous activity, twisting movements, and intercourse until after your post-retrieval period, as your fertility remains high during this time. Once that period passes, your body and menstrual cycle should return to normal.

Based on the understanding of a women’s egg pool, even a repeat donor should not be affected by infertility. At birth, females have all the eggs they’ll ever produce—typically around 1 to 2 million. As they age, this number naturally declines, leaving about 500,000 by puberty. Over the course of a lifetime, only around 400 of these eggs are actually ovulated. When someone struggles to conceive later in life, it’s usually due to age-related changes, genetic factors, or environmental influences—not egg donation.

If selected for back-to-back donations, you’ll need 2–3 periods before the next cycle. During this time, we’ll complete legal steps and prep for your next retrieval.