12 Things That Disqualify an Egg Donor Candidate

Q: What are the age requirements for becoming an egg donor?

The generally accepted age range for egg donors is between 18 and 30 years old. Candidates under 18 are disqualified for legal consent reasons, and those over 30 are typically disqualified due to the natural decline in egg quality and ovarian reserve.

Q: How does medical history affect eligibility as an egg donor?

A comprehensive review of personal and family medical history is crucial. Chronic conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, a history of cancer, or severe reproductive issues like endometriosis or PCOS can be disqualifying factors.

Q: Are there lifestyle factors that can disqualify someone from being a donor?

Yes, lifestyle is a major consideration. Smoking tobacco, vaping, recreational drug use, and excessive alcohol consumption are complete disqualifiers because they negatively impact egg quality. Logistical factors like living too far from the clinic or having an inflexible schedule that prevents attending numerous appointments can also disqualify a candidate.

Q: Can certain health conditions affect egg donation eligibility?

Absolutely. A history of inheritable genetic disorders (like cystic fibrosis or Huntington's disease), current infectious diseases (such as HIV or Hepatitis B/C), or a diagnosis of low ovarian reserve (indicated by low AMH levels) are permanent disqualifiers.

Q: What happens if a potential donor is disqualified during the screening process?

If a disqualification occurs, the clinic will explain the reason. Some disqualifiers are temporary and can be addressed (e.g., achieving a healthy BMI, quitting smoking, or waiting a year after a new tattoo). Others, such as age or a genetic condition, are permanent. If the issue is temporary, the candidate may be encouraged to reapply after resolving it.

Thinking about becoming an egg donor? Understanding disqualification factors is crucial before starting your journey. Not every woman who wants to become an egg donor will qualify due to strict medical and safety requirements designed to protect donors, recipients, and future children.

Egg donor disqualification stems from age, health, lifestyle, and genetic factors that could compromise egg quality or procedure safety. Most common egg donation disqualifiers include age limits, BMI outside healthy range, smoking, genetic disorders, and certain medical conditions.

Who Can Become an Egg Donor?

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Age Range: 18-30 years old
Healthy BMI: 18.5-24.9 range
Regular Cycles: Natural menstrual cycles without hormonal birth control
Good Health: Physical and mental wellness
Commitment: Resident of St. Petersburg. Able to speak Russian fluently. Available for multiple appointments over 2-3 months

The donation process requires dedication, time commitment, and excellent health. At NGC Clinic, we maintain the highest standards to ensure successful outcomes for intended parents and donor safety.

A List of Disqualifications for Egg Donors

Category	Details
1. Age Restrictions	Automatic Disqualifiers: Under 18 years old (legal consent issues) Over 30 years old (declining egg quality) Why Age Matters: Egg quality and ovarian reserve naturally decline with age. Women over 33 typically don't respond well to fertility medications and may not produce enough eggs to donate successfully.
2. BMI Outside Healthy Range	Disqualifying BMI Levels: Below 18.5 (underweight) Above 24.9-29 (depending on clinic) Health Concerns: Increased anesthesia risks Poor medication response Higher OHSS risk Compromised egg quality
3. Smoking and Substance Use	Complete Disqualifiers: Tobacco smoking or vaping Recreational drug use Excessive alcohol consumption Impact on Fertility: These habits significantly reduce egg quality, affect embryo euploidy, and increase procedural risks. Donors must lead a healthy lifestyle throughout the donation process.
4. Medical History Red Flags	Chronic Conditions: Diabetes (especially insulin-dependent) Autoimmune disorders Cancer history Severe mental health conditions Uncontrolled thyroid disease Reproductive Issues: PCOS (severe cases) Endometriosis History of fertility problems Ovarian cysts or abnormalities
5. Genetic Disorders	Family History Concerns: Cystic fibrosis Sickle cell anemia Tay-Sachs disease Muscular dystrophy Huntington's disease Chromosomal abnormalities NGC Clinic uses advanced genetic testing (NextGen21 panel) to screen for inheritable genetic disorders, ensuring the highest safety standards for hopeful parents.
6. Infectious Diseases	Current Infections: Hepatitis B or C HIV Syphilis Active STIs Recent History: STI within past 12 months Blood transfusions Recent travel to high-risk areas
7. Low Ovarian Reserve	AMH Testing: Low anti-Müllerian hormone levels indicate poor ovarian reserve. This cannot be improved and results in permanent disqualification from egg donation programs. Why It Matters: Adequate egg production is essential for successful donation cycles. Low AMH predicts poor response to fertility medications.
8. Psychological Factors	Mental Health Screening: Severe depression or anxiety Bipolar disorder Eating disorders Substance abuse history Lack of support system Emotional Readiness: Egg donation requires emotional maturity and understanding of the process. Comprehensive psychological evaluation ensures donor wellbeing.
9. Lifestyle and Logistics	Geographic Limitations: Unable to speak Russian Not a permanent resident of Russia Living too far from fertility clinic Unable to attend frequent appointments Unreliable transportation Schedule Conflicts: Inflexible work schedule Cannot commit to 15+ medical visits Inability to follow medication protocols
10. Contraceptive Use	Temporary Disqualifiers: Depo-Provera injections (must wait 1 year after stopping) Hormonal IUDs (require removal) Recent implant removal Acceptable Methods: Oral birth control pills Copper IUDs Barrier methods
11. Recent Body Modifications	Waiting Periods Required: Tattoos or piercings within 12 months Recent surgeries Cosmetic procedures
12. Motivational Red Flags	Concerning Behaviors: Focus solely on compensation Reluctance to provide medical records No questions about the process Unclear understanding of commitment

Can Be Changed ✅

BMI: Achieve healthy weight through diet and exercise
Smoking: Complete cessation for required period
STIs: Treatment and 12-month waiting period
Birth Control: Switch to non-hormonal methods
Lifestyle: Improve habits and health practices

Cannot Be Changed ❌

Age: Once over limit, permanently disqualified
Genetic History: Family medical history is fixed
Low AMH: Ovarian reserve cannot be improved
Certain Medical Conditions: Some chronic diseases are permanent disqualifiers

The Screening Process

Step 1: Initial Application

Personal and family medical history review
Lifestyle questionnaire
Basic eligibility assessment

Step 2: Medical Evaluation

Physical examination
Blood work and hormone testing
Infectious disease screening
AMH level assessment

Step 3: Genetic Testing

Karyotype analysis (46,XX required)
NextGen21 genetic panel
Family history verification

Step 4: Psychological Assessment

Clinical interview
Psychological testing
Motivation evaluation
Support system review

Success Through Proper Preparation

Many disqualifications for egg donors can be overcome with preparation:

Health Optimization

Maintain healthy BMI through proper nutrition
Regular exercise and stress management
Eliminate smoking and limit alcohol
Treat any underlying health conditions

Documentation Preparation

Gather complete family medical history
Organize personal health records
Update vaccinations if needed
Complete required medical clearances

Lifestyle Adjustments

Establish regular sleep schedule
Ensure reliable transportation
Clear schedule for appointments
Build strong support network

The Bottom Line

Egg donor disqualifications exist to protect everyone involved in the donation process. While requirements may seem strict, they ensure the best possible outcomes for donors, intended parents, and future children.

Remember: Many common egg donation disqualifiers are temporary and can be addressed. If you don't qualify now, consider it an opportunity to improve your health and reapply when ready.

At NGC Clinic, our experienced team provides comprehensive evaluation and guidance throughout the screening process. We're committed to helping qualified donors safely contribute to creating families while ensuring their own wellbeing.

Ready to Help Create Families?

If you meet the basic requirements, reside in St. Petersburg and speak Russian, and are ready to become an egg donor, NGC Clinic is here to guide you through every step. Our comprehensive screening process ensures safety and success for all involved.

Take the first step today - contact NGC Clinic to begin your journey as an egg donor and help make dreams of parenthood come true for intended parents worldwide.

Contact NGC Clinic to start your egg donation journey

FAQs

What are the age requirements for becoming an egg donor?

Most fertility clinics accept egg donors between 18-30 years old. This age range ensures optimal egg quality and quantity while donors are at peak reproductive health. NGC Clinic follows these industry standards, as egg quality naturally declines after age 30, making successful donation cycles less likely.

How does medical history affect eligibility as an egg donor?

Your medical history is thoroughly reviewed to identify genetic disorders, chronic diseases, or conditions that could affect egg quality or be passed to offspring. Family history of genetic disorders, autoimmune diseases, cancer, or fertility issues may disqualify candidates. NGC Clinic uses advanced screening including the NextGen21 genetic panel to ensure comprehensive evaluation.

Are there lifestyle factors that can disqualify someone from being a donor?

Yes, several lifestyle factors serve as disqualifiers: smoking, drug use, excessive alcohol consumption, and maintaining an unhealthy BMI. These habits negatively impact egg quality and increase procedural risks. The good news is these factors can be changed - quitting smoking, achieving healthy weight, and eliminating substance use can restore eligibility.

Can certain health conditions affect egg donation eligibility?

Many health conditions impact eligibility including diabetes, autoimmune disorders, hepatitis B, HIV, severe mental health conditions, and reproductive issues like PCOS or endometriosis. Infectious disease screening eliminates candidates with transmissible conditions. However, well-controlled conditions may be evaluated case-by-case.

What happens if a potential donor is disqualified during the screening process?

If disqualified, our team explains the specific reasons and provides guidance when possible. Many disqualifications for egg donors are temporary - like BMI, lifestyle choices, or recent STI treatment. We offer recommendations for addressing changeable factors and welcome reapplication when appropriate. Some factors like age or genetic history result in permanent disqualification.

Sources and References

Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Guidance regarding gamete and embryo donation. Fertility and Sterility. 2021. ScienceDirect
Practice Committee of the ASRM

esting and interpreting measures of ovarian reserve: a committee opinion. 2020. ASRM
Augood C, Duckitt K, Templeton AA.

Smoking and female infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod. 1998;13(6):1532-1539. Oxford Academic