Using donor eggs in fertility treatment can feel like a complex process. In this blog, we discuss the practicalities of using donor eggs in the UK, the emotional expectations of using donor eggs to start or grow your family, and top tips from other donor recipients. Our team gives you an idea of what to expect when using donor eggs and your next steps if you think donor eggs might be the best path on your fertility journey.
Why do people use donor eggs?
According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) there has been a steady increase in the number of people in the UK using donor eggs to start or grow their families. There are many reasons some people may choose to use donor eggs. Using donor eggs in fertility treatment might be recommended if you;
- Are a single man or a male couple
- Have female factor infertility, such as low ovarian reserve, age-related infertility or premature ovarian failure
- Are struggling to conceive through IVF
- Have Hereditary conditions
- Had medical treatment that resulted in infertility
If you are considering treatment with donor eggs, our Donation Team can help you explore your available options. Our free 1-2-1 discovery calls are an excellent opportunity to discuss the specific process you would follow at Manchester Fertility. These calls will give you the opportunity to ask questions and gain a clear view of the treatment journey.
The process of using donor eggs in the UK
The HFEA is the regulatory body that all clinics in the UK must adhere to when conducting fertility treatment. This ensures that clinics are held to the highest standards while always focusing on patient safety. Clinics are rated on inspections conducted by the HFEA team and by patient reviews. You can view these ratings on the HFEA website.
This level of regulation is fundamental, as it ensures correct procedures are followed in both the treatment and storage of eggs, sperm or embryos. The treatment process for a patient using donor eggs at any HFEA-regulated clinic in the UK should be as follows;
Initial consultation - Patients register their interest in using donor eggs with the clinic. At Manchester fertility, this is the point at which you will have a consultation with one of our expert fertility doctors to find out if donor eggs are the right choice for you.
Counselling - every patient who uses donor gametes in the UK must undergo counselling as per the HFEA guidelines. This is an excellent opportunity to consider what you expect from egg donation.
Choosing your egg donor - how you choose your donor will depend on your clinic, some clinics will direct you to their partnered national or international egg banks. Other clinics, such as here at Manchester Fertility, can offer patients access to an in-house egg bank where our team will help match you to a donor with your preferences. Egg donors donate through an HFEA-licensed donation programme such as Egg Donors UK - This ensures that donors are looked after when they are donating, as well as making sure that UK regulations such as screening standards and family limits are upheld.
Treatment - Once you have selected a donor, you will start your treatment cycle at a HFEA-registered clinic. The specific process at this step will differ depending on what type of treatment has been recommended by your doctor and the clinic you choose for your treatment.
Treatment outcomes - Your clinic will register your treatment outcome with HFEA, and if you have a confirmed birth, you will take one of the 10 available family slots. All HFEA-registered donors are identifiable, meaning your donor-conceived children can find out information about their donor when they’re older. Your children can apply to the HFEA to discover information about their donor, depending on their age. More details on this are specified on the HFEA website.
What to expect practically when using donor eggs at Manchester Fertility
At Manchester Fertility the process of choosing your egg donor is simplified thanks to our in-house donor bank and dedicated donation team.
At Manchester Fertility, we have been turning people into parents in the UK for almost 40 years, and over that time, we have helped create almost 10,000 new lives. Since 2015, our egg donation programme has allowed us to provide a bespoke service to those needing donor eggs to conceive. Our dedicated donor team support you all the way through your journey, making choosing your donor a seamless part of your treatment cycle.
The donor matching process at Manchester Fertility is facilitated by the same donor team who have supported our donors throughout their journey. This means our team are perfectly positioned to find you the best donor based on your preferences, such as physical or emotional characteristics. And once you’ve chosen your donor, the same expert embryology team who have been looking after the egg since collection, will continue to care for your embryos right until implantation.
The emotional expectations when using donor eggs
Many feelings can arise when using donor eggs as part of your treatment. When it comes time for treatment, you could have different emotions than expected which is why counselling is mandatory for all patients using donor gamete
However you are feeling about donor eggs, our team can help you work through your emotions. Our in-house counsellors are there to listen to your feelings and help without judgment. As part of our treatment packages, you will receive two complimentary counselling sessions, and you’re welcome to book more sessions with our counsellors if you think it would help you or if you have more you would like to talk through.
Talking to our team and others who have been through treatment with donor eggs can help you understand more about what to expect when using donor eggs in treatment.
Tips from donor recipients on how to prepare for treatment
Some of our patients like sharing their stories to help others undergoing treatment. Here are a few tips that other donor recipients who have used donor eggs in treatment with Manchester Fertility wanted to share about their own journey.
We underwent IVF using donor eggs due to my carrier status for the fragile X syndrome gene. This gene carries a high risk of developmental challenges for any child. Regardless of how many rounds of IVF we went through, the support remained consistently excellent. The aftercare is absolutely amazing as well, which is crucial during IVF. Throughout the entire process, we felt like we had a big virtual hug around us. We want to thank the egg donation team and Doctor Peter; without them, we wouldn’t have had Emily. – Charlotte and Ashley
Following our difficult journey, where I felt I had lost all control, over the process, we were looking for somewhere where we felt that we were being listened to and treated as individuals. This was exactly what we got...from our first contact with the clinic; we knew we had made the right move.
Alongside our patients who choose to share their path to parenthood on our website, we have an active community who prefer to share their experience in our private patient support group. Once you are a Manchester Fertility patient you have the choice of connecting with other patients to share your experience or hear stories from others in a close knit supportive environment.
If you are currently a Manchester Fertility patient, you can contact your patient advisor, who will set you up with access to the group.
Still deciding whether treatment with donor eggs is right for you? You can contact our New Patient Advisors or book your free 1-2-1 discovery appointment today to discuss your treatment options in more detail.
Last updated: 7th July 2025
