Egg Donation Disqualifications, Explained

At Fairfax EggBank, we are always looking for potential donors. However, all our applicants must meet specific requirements to become an egg donor.

Although we would love to accept all applicants, certain egg donation disqualifiers may affect your eligibility. Many of these disqualifiers are based on regulations set by the FDA, recommendations from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and even by law.

The goal of these egg donor requirements is to give intended parents—who have often been struggling with infertility—the best possible chance to conceive a healthy baby while ensuring that all our donors have a safe and positive egg donation experience.

Our team has compiled a list of the top factors that may disqualify you from donating eggs with our program.

Age-Related Egg Donation Disqualifiers

Applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 30 to be eligible for our egg donation program. This age range (give or take a year or two) is commonly used by donor egg banks and egg donor agencies worldwide.

We’ve found that 19 is the minimum age at which donors can responsibly manage the time and commitments required, while 30 is generally the upper limit because egg quality and quantity begin to decline shortly thereafter

Age restrictions may vary based on state, such as in the case of Colorado, where the minimum age to donate is 21.

Being under 19 or over 30 may disqualify you from donating eggs due to these biological and medical considerations. Egg donor age restrictions are important to the success of donor egg recipients and the well-being of our egg donors.

Learn more about why age matters in egg donation.

Reproductive Health and Lifestyle Factors

As part of our medical application process, we review various health and lifestyle factors that could be considered egg donation disqualifiers.

To be eligible, you must have two functioning ovaries. This means that those who only have one ovary wouldn’t be able to donate. This is because when starting the retrieval process with one ovary, the possible yield of mature eggs for each cycle is significantly reduced.

Other disqualifiers include being pregnant or breastfeeding due to the potential effects of the medications given to donors during the retrieval process. To become eligible again, you’ll need to be at least five months postpartum, no longer breastfeeding, and experiencing regular menstrual cycles.

Conditions like endometriosis or PCOS may also disqualify you from donating eggs because of the increased risk for complications and reduced cycle success.

Additionally, lifestyle factors such as smoking or vaping are disqualifiers, even if done occasionally. Ingesting tobacco or nicotine can impact the quality of eggs and the egg donation cycle. Also, you must have a BMI between 18-29. Medical evidence shows that people with a BMI under 18 or over 29 are at an increased risk for developing medical complications during the egg donation process.

Learn more about why weight matters in egg donation.

Geographic and Location Disqualifiers for Egg Donation 

Unfortunately, living outside the U.S. or lacking legal authorization to work in the U.S. are common egg donation disqualifiers. You’re not eligible to donate if you don’t reside in the U.S. Since compensation for egg donation is considered taxable income, you must have a valid work visa or green card to participate. This is why we require proof that you’re certified to work in the U.S. legally.

Donors need to live within two hours of one of our retrieval clinics or must qualify for our travel program. Otherwise, location may disqualify you from donating eggs.

Medical History Disqualifications

We require a thorough review of your family’s medical history—up to three generations. This includes your own medical background, as well as the health history of your biological parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, and grandparents on both sides.

If you’re unable to provide this information, it may disqualify you from donating eggs. We rely on this data to assess potential genetic risks for both you and any future donor-conceived children.

Need help getting this information? Here are some tips on finding your medical history.

Learn More About Becoming An Egg Donor With Fairfax EggBank

Do I qualify as an egg donor? Click here for egg donor qualifications.

Have any other questions about egg donations? Check out our FAQs, our Egg Donor blog, or contact us.