Egg donation (ovum) may be a good option for a variety of women, including those who are older, have undergone menopause or have unexplained miscarriages. IVF success rates depend on the age of the donor.

Women under the age of 30 have the most success with IVF, often with a 50 percent or higher success rate. IVF is performed in the usual manner, except that a donor undergoes ovulation induction and egg retrieval while the recipient undergoes hormonal treatment to prepare her uterus for transfer of embryos or blastocysts.

Egg donors are screened for diseases, infections, and genetic disorders, and are often matched with recipients on physical characteristics and ethnic background. It is highly recommended that psychological and legal counseling be performed on both donors and recipients.

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