Egg donation is offered to women who are unable to produce eggs, usually because their ovaries are not functioning or have been removed.

Couples should be offered the option of egg donation if:

• The woman’s ovaries have stopped working early, or after chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• If the woman has a chromosomal abnormality, such as Turner syndrome
• Her ovaries have been removed.
• Repeated IVF failure depending on the cause
• There is a high risk of passing on a genetic disorder to any children.

Women considering egg donation, should be offered the chance to see an independent counselor to talk over what the treatment will mean for her and any children born as a result of treatment.

Women who donate their eggs should be screened beforehand for infectious and genetic diseasesand informed about the risks associated with ovarian stimulation and egg collection.