What To Expect When Donating Eggs On Birth Control

Interested in donating your eggs, but not sure how it’ll effect your current birth control method? The good news is that many birth control methods don’t prevent you from being eligible to donate! With the help of your egg donation coordinator, you’ll be able to discuss your current birth control method and which steps to take before and during the egg donation process.

Read on to learn more about birth control and being an egg donor.

Can You Donate Your Eggs While On Birth Control?

The short answer is yes, but it depends on what kind of birth control you’re on. Depending on the method you use you’re probably still able to donate your eggs, however you may be asked to remove or pause your current method during your egg donation cycle.

What’s The Process For An Egg Donor When You Take Birth Control Pills?

Fairfax EggBank egg donor clinic coordinators will create a personalized plan for you and your medications, but yes! you can donate your eggs if you’re on birth control pills.

If You’re On The Patch, Can You Be An Egg Donor?

Just like birth control pills you can donate your eggs if you’re on the patch. The hormones in the patch don’t affect the quality of your eggs.

You will need to remove the patch in preparation for the egg retrieval cycling, but that’s a temporary change only for that cycle. Your personalized plan for egg donation is discussed with your donor coordinator.

Can You Donate Your Eggs If You Have An IUD?

If you have any IUD non hormonal or hormonal, such as Mirena or Skyla, you’re still able to donate. During our screening process we will run tests to determine how your IUD effects your body. Depending on the results you may be able to cycle with your IUD in place.

If there are concerns, you may have the option to have your IUD removed and retest. If you are able to donate after retesting, you can discuss your birth control options for the duration of your participation in the egg donor program with your coordinator.

What Is The Risk Of Using Depo Provera Or A Contraceptive Implant Such As Implanon Or Nexplanon?

Depo-Provera shots, or birth control implants like Implanon or Nexplanon delay the egg donation process. So, if you’re on the Depo Provera shot or a contraceptive implant such as Implanon or Nexplanon, you would not be able to be an egg donor.

However, we still encourage you to apply. Our team will review your medical application and may still invite you to the next step of the process. If you’re invited, you’ll need to agree to discontinue use of Depo Provera or remove your contraceptive implant. You may choose to use another form of contraceptive such as birth control pills, the patch, Nuva Ring or an IUD (non hormonal preferred).

You would need to wait until you have two consecutive menstrual cycles before we can complete the medical screening. This can take anywhere from a month to a year depending on the person.

If you pass this phase and are invited to an interview, you can discuss with your coordinator whether it’s worth discontinuing use of Depo Provera or removing your contraceptive implant. Most importantly, don’t stop using your birth control before applying.

Should I Stop My Birth Control Before Applying To The Fairfax EggBank Egg Donor Program?

Nope! Fill out an application first and make sure you meet all of the qualifications to be an egg donor. If there is a concern about the method of birth control you are using, you can discuss whether its worth discontinuing use of your birth control with your donor coordinator.

Can You Get Pregnant While Donating Your Eggs?

Yes, you can get pregnant while donating your eggs. During the donation cycle you’ll be highly fertile due to the hormone injections which means you’d be at a higher risk for pregnancy. We recommend abstinence from the time you start injections until your first period after the egg retrieval.

Becoming An Egg Donor With Fairfax EggBank

Many of Fairfax EggBank egg donors use birth control. It’s extremely common and our donor coordinators are here to create the best plan for you. We are with you every step of the way during your egg donation journey. Check out our FAQs, our Egg Donor blog, or contact us.

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