Women donate eggs for more than money

(SEATTLE, Dec. 22) -- Researchers found less than 19 percent of U.S. women who donated eggs to fertility clinics did so solely for financial reasons.

Thirty-two percent said their motivations were completely based on helping others, while the rest cited a combination of altruistic and monetary factors

Drawing on the experiences of 80 women who had donated eggs for the first time 2 to 15 years before filling out the questionnaires, the University of Washington study found two-thirds of the women reported satisfaction with the process, but 16 percent complained of subsequent physical symptoms and 20 percent reported lasting psychological effects.

In the study, published in Fertility and Sterility, 73 percent of the women reported being aware of psychological risks, but nearly 63 percent viewed the potential physical risk as minor and 20 percent did not recall being made aware of physical risks at the time of their first donation.

"We know if clinics don't offer money most women won't donate," lead author Nancy Kenney said in a statement. "Great Britain, where there is no paid egg donation program, for example, has a tremendous shortage of donors. But, as one of our donors said, 'If you do this just for money, you'll be sorry.'"


SOURCE: UPI