For individuals and couples who choose egg donation, finding an egg donor match is a significant and profoundly personal milestone on the path to parenthood. We understand that this decision can bring both excitement and confusion, and we're here to help you feel informed, supported, and ready to choose your match. With a database of over 300 diverse egg donors and flexible programs to meet various needs, we are committed to helping individuals and couples find their perfect match.
All of our egg donors undergo a thorough screening process to make sure they are healthy and prepared to provide you with the best possible chance of success. Because our donors will have all passed these screenings, the decision is ultimately a personal one. To get you started, we’ve compiled 10 key aspects to consider when choosing an egg donor.
1. Physical Characteristics
For many intended parents, physical resemblance is an important part of the decision-making process, especially when there’s a hope that the child might share features with one or both parents. As you browse donor profiles, you may find yourself drawn to certain traits, whether that’s ethnicity, hair and eye color, height, or overall appearance.
Donor Nexus offers detailed profiles and photos of our donors from infancy to adulthood to help you get a clearer sense of compatibility. These details can offer reassurance and help you choose a donor who aligns with your vision for your growing family.
2. Education, Talents, and Interests
A donor’s education, career goals, and passions can offer meaningful insight beyond basic profile details. Many intended parents feel drawn to donors who share similar values, interests, or aspirations. Whether that’s a love of science, creative talent, or academic achievements, these passions may foster a bond between you and your potential egg donor.
Donor Nexus profiles include career and academic history, hobbies, and personal reflections to help you get a fuller picture of who each donor is.
For those looking for top-tier qualifications, our premier egg donor program features donors with exceptional credentials, such as Ivy League degrees, advanced STEM backgrounds, or athletic achievements.
3. A Sense of Personality and Lifestyle
When reading through donor profiles, the personal touches and thoughtful responses often help bring a donor to life. These insights can reveal how a donor sees the world, what motivates them, and the kind of energy they bring to their daily life.
You might notice the donor’s tone and if they’re introspective, optimistic, humorous, or grounded. Their answers may reflect wellness habits, routines, or values that align with yours. Some donors speak openly about their goals, upbringing, or what inspired them to donate, offering a meaningful glimpse into who they are beyond the basic facts.
We encourage donors to share authentically so you can connect with the person behind their profile. Donors also create a video introduction that can be shared with you upon request.
4. Level of Donor Contact
An important aspect of egg donation to consider is the level of anonymity and connection with the donor that you would like to have now and for your future child. Donor Nexus offers:
- Nonidentified Donors – Neither egg donor nor intended parent identities are shared.
- Open ID Donors – Your child can request the contact information for your donor when they turn 18.
- Known Donors – Identifying information for both parties is shared and allows for the possibility of a relationship.
Some intended parents may want to keep the door open for connection later in life, while others prefer anonymity for simplicity and emotional clarity. The majority of our donors choose to remain nonidentified, but about 35% select the possibility for ID donations.
When you browse through donor profiles, you will be able to see donors’ preferences and understand the level of contact offered. Donors share answers to questions about anonymity, including if they are willing to meet with you via phone/zoom or if they are open to future contact with the child (once the child is 18). Understanding your preferred level of connection can help you determine right away if a donor is an appropriate match.
5. Medical History
Every egg donor at Donor Nexus undergoes an exceptionally rigorous screening process before being approved for donation. This includes comprehensive medical, psychological, and genetic evaluations to give intended parents confidence in their match.
On average, 3 in 4 applicants are accepted, which reflects the high standards we uphold for our donor program. All donors are thoroughly vetted, but you will still have access to each donor’s health background so that you can review family history and any genetic carrier status as part of your decision-making process. It’s important to consider how donors are screened when choosing an egg donor bank and donor database to avoid any preventable negative outcomes.
6. Fresh vs. Frozen Eggs
When selecting an egg donor, you’ll also decide between a fresh or frozen egg donation cycle. Each has its own advantages and considerations.
Fresh donor eggs: You will work with just one egg donor and receive all the eggs she donates. This may lengthen the egg donation timeline but offers a higher number of eggs per cycle–a benefit for families hoping to have more children in the future.
Frozen donor eggs: Your egg donor has already been screened and donated her eggs, which are frozen and ready for use. Frozen eggs are ideal if you’re looking for flexibility and a faster process and can be shipped to your fertility clinic at your convenience.
For many years, fresh donor eggs were considered the gold standard in fertility treatment and historically offered higher success rates. Recent advancements in egg-freezing technology, however, have significantly closed that gap. When you’re reviewing donor profiles, you can filter by fresh versus frozen egg donation cycles and choose a donor based on this preference.
7. First-Time vs. Proven Egg Donors
You’ll notice that some egg donors are first-time donors, while others are considered proven as you explore donor profiles. Understanding the difference can help you make a more informed decision:
- Proven egg donors have previously completed donation cycles that resulted in successful egg retrievals. Because they’ve been through the process before, they may be more familiar with medications, expectations, and timelines, and their bodies have demonstrated a positive response to egg donation.
- First-time egg donors are new to the donation process. First time donors often offer advantages such as lower costs, flexible scheduling, and broader availability. In fact, many intended parents find their ideal match among first-time donors because they’re open to a wider pool of possibilities.
Success rates are comparable between first-time and proven donors. What matters most is choosing a donor whose profile, background, and personal story feel aligned with your hopes for your future family.
8. Cost
As you search for the right egg donor, it’s important to understand that egg donation costs can vary based on the donor and the type of cycle you choose. Donor Nexus programs offer variety in terms of flexibility and donor matching, as well as financially.
Frozen donor egg cycles start at $19,500, while fresh egg cycles start at $28,100. Premier donors start at $29,500 for frozen and $38,500 for fresh cycles. Cost can also vary depending on whether the donor is a proven egg donor and based on her location.
Every situation is unique, and your Donor Nexus case manager will work with you to explain your options, provide cost comparisons, and help you choose a program and donor that fit your family goals and financial comfort zone. We offer loans and flexible payment options, and IVF grants may be available for you to apply for.
9. Think About What Feels Like a "Fit"
Beyond all the facts and filters, your decision may come down to something less tangible: connection.
You may find yourself drawn to a donor’s energy, their photos, or simply how you feel when reading their profile. That moment of “this feels right” is real and important.
Trust your instincts. Donor Nexus encourages you to take your time and choose the donor that resonates most with you.
10. Lean on the Experts
You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Your dedicated case manager is here to make finding your egg donor match easier, more personal, and less overwhelming.
Donor Nexus does more than provide access to a donor database. We offer hands-on, personalized support. If browsing profiles feels daunting, our experienced case managers are happy to select donor matches for you to review based on your preferences, values, and vision for your family.
From recommending donors that align with your priorities to walking you through medical records, legal considerations, or financial options, we are here to offer transparency and guidance during your search.
“Donor Nexus stood out as providing the most comprehensive information on the widest range of potential donors from whom to choose a “match”. The staff were supportive, kind, friendly and professional through every step of the process. In the end, 15 good quality eggs were retrieved from the truly extraordinary donor and 12 of these fertilized.”
–M.F., Intended Parent
Ready to Find Your Match?
When you’re ready to take the next step, Donor Nexus makes the process simple, secure, and supportive. Our intuitive donor database and mobile-friendly Donor Nexus database app allow you to explore diverse, carefully screened egg donor profiles from anywhere.
- Create a free account to instantly begin browsing detailed donor profiles, including baby photos, education history, personality insights, and more.
- Use filters to narrow your search based on physical traits, background, or donor type preferences.
- Save your favorites and revisit profiles at your own pace.
If you need guidance, our compassionate and knowledgeable team is always just a message or call away. With flexible programs, over 300 diverse donors, and expert support, Donor Nexus is proud to be your trusted partner on this incredible journey.
