Using an egg or sperm donor is a difficult and emotional decision for many couples who thought they’d have their own baby, yet it’s an exciting option for partners in the LGBTQ community who want to have a child. When you need a donor, Dr. Tony Tsai and the team at The New York Fertility Center are available to answer your questions and provide the information you need to make the best decision. To schedule an appointment, call one of the offices in Manhattan or Flushing, New York, or use online booking.
Dr. Tsai may suggest considering an egg donor after you’ve gone through several failed IVF cycles or when any of these conditions exist:
A sperm donor is needed when there’s a problem with sperm or a blockage, if you don’t want to use your partner’s sperm due to a genetic disorder, or you’re a single woman or lesbian couple who wants to start a family.
When patients need a sperm donor, they usually use an anonymous donor from a sperm bank, so you can count on Dr. Tsai to recommend a trusted and reputable sperm bank.
When you need an egg donor, you have two options:
There are two types of known egg donors. The first is someone you know, such as a friend or relative. You can also receive eggs from someone you don’t know who chooses to participate as a known donor rather than an anonymous egg donor.
When your donor is known, both of you receive your medical care from Dr. Tsai.
Dr. Tsai works exclusively with licensed donor agencies. When you receive eggs from an agency, the person is anonymous, but you can choose your donor based on information about their medical and psychological history, and data about their appearance, education, racial and ethnic background, and other personal details.
While you can choose to use frozen donor eggs, Dr. Tsai often performs IVF with freshly retrieved eggs. This means that your menstrual cycle must be synced with your donor’s cycle, so Dr. Tsai works closely with the donor agency.
Your donor takes fertility medication while you take medication that prepares your uterus to receive a fertilized egg. At the right time, your donor’s eggs are retrieved and fertilized in the lab with your partner’s sperm. After three to five days, the fertilized embryos are transferred into your uterus.
When you decide to use an egg or sperm donor, the team at The New York Fertility Center help you find the highest-quality donor and work with you to achieve successful IVF. To talk about your options, call or use online booking to schedule a consultation.