Egg donation: USA - Psychological health of donors

Egg donors should undergo psychological screening to determine their mental health before donating eggs, according to a study conducted by researchers from New York University's Program for IVF, Reproductive Surgery and Infertility. The scientists examined the mental states of 607 women who volunteered to become egg donors and found that 11% of the women "had psychological findings that prohibited them from participating" as donors.

Most of the donors rejected on psychological grounds had personal histories of mental illness, learning disabilities, alcohol or substance abuse or a criminal record, while others had family histories of these characteristics or a family history of suicide (ASRM release, 10/14).