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Premature menopause can be an unexpected and challenging journey, especially when it comes to starting or expanding your family. If you or someone you know is facing this situation, understanding the fertility options available—like egg donation—can open doors to new possibilities.
This guide delves into how egg donation can help you achieve your dream of parenthood despite the hurdles of premature menopause.
Premature menopause, or premature ovarian insufficiency, occurs when the ovaries stop functioning before the age of 40. This leads to decreased hormone production and fewer released eggs, directly impacting fertility. Common symptoms include irregular periods, hot flushes, mood swings, and fatigue.
According to the NHS, about 1 in 100 women under 40 are affected by premature menopause. Causes can range from genetic factors and autoimmune diseases to medical treatments like chemotherapy, or sometimes remain unexplained.
Common signs and symptoms include:
Irregular or missed periods
Hot flushes and night sweats
Mood swings
Fatigue
Difficulty sleeping
The emotional toll of premature menopause can be significant. Feelings of sadness, frustration, or anxiety about fertility and future family plans are common. It's crucial to acknowledge these emotions and seek support from loved ones and professionals who can guide you through this transition.
Egg donation offers a hopeful solution for women experiencing premature menopause. It allows you to carry and give birth to a child, even if your ovaries are no longer producing viable eggs. Here's an in-depth look at the process:
What it is: egg donation involves using eggs from a donor to create an embryo, which is then implanted into your uterus.
Why it's effective: Since donor eggs come from women with healthy ovarian function, the chances of successful fertilisation and pregnancy are significantly higher.
Your journey begins with an initial consultation at a fertility clinic. During this meeting, you’ll receive:
Medical assessment: a fertility specialist will review your medical history and discuss your fertility goals.
Personalised plan: together, you'll create a tailored treatment plan that suits your needs.
Selecting the right donor is a personal and important step:
Anonymous open ID donors: many donors choose to remain anonymous but provide detailed profiles, including physical characteristics, education, and interests. However, donation in the UK is known as open ID donation, where once a child born of a donation turns 18 they will be able to contact the HFEA for identifying information about their donor.
Known donors: some people opt for a donor they know, like a family member or friend.
Donor screening: all donors undergo rigorous medical and psychological screening to ensure they're suitable, whether a known or open ID donor.
You will need to decide whether to go for a fresh egg donation cycle, or use frozen eggs. There are benefits to both options, with comparable outcomes. It will depend on your own unique situation and preferences.
To prepare for the embryo transfer:
Hormone therapy: you'll take medications to prepare your uterus for pregnancy. This includes oestrogen and progesterone to thicken the uterine lining, creating the optimal environment for embryo implantation.
Monitoring: regular check-ups and ultrasounds ensure your body is responding well to the medications.
If you decide to use fresh donor eggs, then while you're preparing, the donor undergoes the egg retrieval process:
Ovarian stimulation: the donor takes medications to stimulate egg production.
Egg retrieval: a minor procedure is performed to collect the donor eggs.
Fertilisation: the retrieved eggs are fertilised with sperm in a laboratory to create embryos.
Once the embryos are ready:
Selection: the best-quality embryo(s) are selected for transfer into your body.
Procedure: the embryo transfer is a simple and painless procedure, similar to a smear test. It doesn't require anaesthesia and only takes a few minutes.
Post-transfer care: you'll be advised to rest and may receive additional medications to support implantation.
Two weeks after the embryo transfer:
Pregnancy test: you'll take a urine pregnancy test to determine if the procedure was successful.
Ongoing support: regardless of the outcome, your fertility team will provide support and discuss next steps.
Choosing egg donation is a significant decision filled with hope and anticipation. It's an opportunity to overcome the obstacles of premature menopause and move towards realizing your dream of becoming a parent.
Premature menopause can change the path you envisioned, but it doesn't have to halt your dreams of parenthood. Egg donation offers a promising option, and with the right support and information, you can navigate this journey with hope and confidence.
At Apricity, we're here to support you every step of the way. Our team is dedicated to providing personalised care tailored to your needs.
Get in touch with us today, and let's navigate this journey together.
Written by our group of fertility experts and doctors consultants
Written by our group of fertility experts and doctors consultants
Ⓒ Apricity Fertility UK Limited. All rights reserved