What to Consider When Choosing an Egg Donor

Whether you’re choosing an egg donor because of low ovarian reserve, you’re part of a same-sex male couple, or you carry a hereditary genetic condition (or any other reason), the decision is deeply personal and often emotional. As you review potential donors, you’ll likely consider a mix of factors—from education and hobbies to physical characteristics and medical history—to find the right match for your family. To help make the process feel a little less overwhelming, we’ve outlined some of the most important things to keep in mind when selecting an egg donor.

Medical and Genetic Considerations

Before choosing an egg donor, it’s helpful to have a good understanding of the sperm provider’s personal and family medical history. Knowing about any conditions that run in the family—such as heart disease, certain cancers, or other inherited health issues—can guide you as you review donor profiles. This information helps you look for a donor whose own history supports the healthiest possible start for your future child and allows you to make a well-informed, confident decision.

Additionally, most clinics and donor agencies require both the sperm provider and the egg donor to undergo genetic carrier screening. This testing looks at each person’s DNA to identify whether they carry any of roughly 300 recessive genetic conditions. The goal is to avoid matching a sperm provider and donor who carry the same condition.

Another important factor to consider when selecting a donor is age. As women get older, both the quantity and quality of their eggs naturally decline. Younger donors often have a larger number of higher-quality eggs, which can increase the likelihood of creating healthy embryos and achieving a successful pregnancy. For this reason, most donor agencies require donors to be between 21 and 34 years old to help maximize the chances of success.

Lastly, it’s helpful to know whether a donor has had children of her own or if previous donation cycles have resulted in successful pregnancies and live births. This history of proven fertility can give you added confidence in the likelihood of creating viable embryos and achieving a successful pregnancy with this donor.

Physical and Personal Considerations

After determining what’s important to keep in mind for the general health and genetics of a potential donor, the next thing to consider is choosing a donor who has physical and personality traits that you value.

When it comes to physical characteristics, you may want to choose a donor whose features resemble your own or your partner’s. Many donor profiles include photos from adulthood and childhood to help you envision what a future child might look like.

After considering physical traits, you can also explore a donor’s education, hobbies, and talents. For example, someone with a college degree who also plays the piano might stand out if you value academics and musical ability.

While choosing a donor with certain traits or accomplishments doesn’t guarantee your child will share them, some qualities do have genetic components that may influence a child’s natural strengths. Still, genetics is only one part of the picture. Children are shaped by both their biology and the environment you create. No matter which donor you choose, the loving home, support, and opportunities you provide will play an equally important—and often even greater—role.

Making the Decision

Choosing a donor is a life altering decision, and it’s completely normal to feel the weight of it. One helpful way to narrow down your options is to create a list of ‘must-have’ traits and a separate list of ‘nice-to-have’ characteristics. For example, a must-have might be that the donor has no overlapping positive genetic carrier screening results with your sperm provider, while a nice-to-have could be features like brown hair and brown eyes. Clarifying these priorities can make the final selection feel more manageable and intentional.

Creating lists like these can quickly narrow your search to donors who meet all of your must-have criteria, while also helping you identify candidates who offer many of the nice-to-have qualities you value. And remember, this kind of decision takes time. The ‘perfect’ donor may not appear right away, and that’s okay. Give yourself space to explore your options, and trust your instincts. The right match will come together in a way that feels right for you.

Whether you’re navigating this journey on your own or with a partner, choosing a donor can feel overwhelming, but it’s also incredibly meaningful. Take the time you need, focus on what matters most to you, and trust yourself in the process. In the end, you’re selecting someone who will play a small but powerful role in helping you build your future family.