Donor Egg And Donor Sperm
Maureen O'Brien Moomjy, MD, FACOG
Fertility Gynecologist & Reproductive Specialist located in Midtown/Upper Eastside, New York, NY
Dealing with infertility is emotionally and physically challenging, and you need to make many difficult decisions. One of those decisions may be whether or not to use donor eggs or donor sperm. Maureen Moomjy, MD, FACOG, offers fertility counseling and treatments including the use of donor eggs and sperm at her private practice in the Upper East Side of New York City, near Midtown. Dr. Moomjy has helped countless couples and individuals create happy, healthy families with the help of donors. Call Dr. Moomjy to schedule a fertility consultation today.
Donor Egg and Donor Sperm Q & A
Why would I need to use donor eggs or sperm?
There are many reasons why you might choose to use donor eggs or sperm. For example, single women or a lesbian couple who want to have a baby can use donor sperm in intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization processes. You may also choose donor sperm if your partner doesn’t produce sperm despite treatment.
The primary reason that you may opt for an egg donor is if you can’t produce healthy eggs that result in healthy embryos. For example, if you have premature ovarian failure or early menopause, a donated cohort of eggs can allow you to experience pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Other reasons you might opt for an egg donor include:
- Very low egg quality
- History of genetic disease
- No response to ovary-stimulating drugs
- Failure of IVF with your own eggs, repeatedly, with egg factors being identified.
Choosing to use donor eggs or donor sperm is a complex decision. Dr. Moomjy can refer you to a psychologist who specializes in fertility issues to help you explore your thoughts and feelings around this option. Dr. Moomjy also offers her full support and guidance to help you learn about the process and make the right decision for you and your family.
What is the process for selecting a donor?
You may have a family member who wants to help you by donating eggs or sperm. However, more commonly people proceed with anonymous donation. You need to consider the characteristics you want your child to have as well as the donor’s medical history.
All egg and sperm donors have a full physical exam, screenings for a family history of hereditary diseases or congenital disabilities, psychological screening, and extensive testing and re-testing for infectious diseases. Egg donors have to have above average ovarian reserve. Sperm donors have to have above average semen qualities.
What is the process of using donor eggs or sperm?
Many factors contribute to the process of using donor eggs or donor sperm. For example, are you using a fresh or frozen donation? If you are having a fresh egg donation, you and the donor will need to take hormones to synchronize your cycles so that the egg retrieval, in vitro fertilization, and transfer can happen during your “window of implantation” to increase your potential for success.
Dr. Moomjy offers patient-focused, customized treatment and advice depending on your circumstances. Dr. Moomjy has managed donor egg and donor sperm treatment cycles for over 20 years and has seen countless happy families result from such treatments. If you want to learn more about using donor eggs or sperm, call Dr. Moomjy to schedule a consultation today.