What Disqualifies You From Donating Eggs?

If you’re researching what disqualifies you from donating eggs, you’re likely serious about becoming a donor but want honest answers before you apply. The screening process can feel intimidating, especially when clinics don’t always explain why certain applicants are declined.

In reality, most disqualifications exist to protect your health, support successful outcomes, and meet strict medical guidelines. Some are permanent, while others are temporary or vary by program.

This guide breaks down the most common reasons egg donors are turned away, so you can understand where you stand and decide your next steps with clarity and confidence.

What Disqualifies You From Donating Eggs?

Below are the most common answers to what disqualifies you from donating eggs. Some items are permanent disqualifiers for many programs. Others are temporary and depend on timing, medical clearance, or reapplying later once you overcome the disqualifiers.

1. Age Outside The Program’s Range

Age is one of the first filters programs apply, because it’s closely tied to typical ovarian response and egg quality. Many egg banks keep a narrower range than the general medical “fertility window.”

For example, here at Lucina Egg Bank, our egg donor eligibility ranges from 19–31. ASRM guidance also notes that oocyte donors are preferably ages 21–34.

If you’re outside a program’s window, it often becomes a hard stop for that specific program, even if you feel healthy.

2. BMI Outside The Program’s Cutoff

BMI cutoffs are common because stimulation and retrieval involve sedation/anesthesia, and higher BMI can raise procedural risk or complicate ultrasound visualization. Lucina Egg Bank’s donor requirements include a BMI under 28.

If BMI is the main barrier, many applicants treat it as a “pause and revisit” item rather than a final no. Programs vary here, so a decline from one place doesn’t always mean every program will say the same thing.

Keep in mind that some aspiring egg donors may consider using GLP-1 before egg donation, perhaps to control their weight. This comes with its own caveats, so be sure to inform your coordinator if this is something you’re thinking of doing.

3. Smoking, Vaping, Or Nicotine Use

Nicotine use is a frequent reason people look up what disqualifies you from donating eggs.

Many programs require donors to be nicotine-free because nicotine is linked with poorer fertility parameters and can affect stimulation outcomes.

That’s why here at Lucina Egg Bank, we require our egg donors to be non-smokers. Some programs will reconsider after a nicotine-free window, while others require a longer track record. If you’re actively vaping or smoking, most programs will pause your application.

4. Recreational Drug Use Or Substance Misuse

Egg donation involves a strict medication schedule and a medical procedure. Active drug use is commonly disqualifying because of medical safety, anesthesia risk, and reliability concerns.

Alcohol use that suggests dependence can also raise flags during screening. This is one of those areas where programs tend to be cautious.

If you’re in stable recovery, eligibility becomes case-specific and usually depends on time in recovery, medical review, and support systems.

5. Medical Conditions That Raise Procedure Risk

Some health conditions make ovarian stimulation, frequent monitoring, or sedation riskier.

Uncontrolled hypertension, serious heart conditions, clotting disorders, certain autoimmune diseases, and other complex medical issues may disqualify an applicant.

Programs review personal medical history and family history early for this reason. A mild condition that’s well-managed might be fine, while an uncontrolled condition may mean “not eligible right now.” A clinician decides this based on safety, not “toughness.”

6. Reproductive Health Findings That Suggest Poor Response

Egg donor screening commonly includes labs and ultrasound to check ovarian reserve and reproductive health.

Irregular cycles, ovarian cyst patterns, prior ovarian surgery, or diagnoses that may affect response (like some PCOS profiles or endometriosis) can result in a decline, depending on severity and program standards.

This is also where programs differ a lot. If you’re asking what disqualifies you from donating eggs because your cycle isn’t predictable, that may still be workable in some cases—after evaluation and a plan.

7. Positive Infectious Disease Screening Or High-Risk Exposures

In the US, egg donation is covered under donor-eligibility rules for human cells and tissues, including required screening and testing for communicable diseases.

A positive test for certain infections can be disqualifying. Some risk factors in your screening history may also prompt a program to decline. Programs do this to protect recipients, future children, and clinic staff, and to follow regulatory requirements.

8. Genetic Screening Results Concerning Family History

Most egg banks include genetic carrier screening and a detailed family history review. Being a carrier doesn’t automatically disqualify someone in every program, because matching and recipient preferences matter.

Still, certain results or family-history patterns may disqualify an applicant at an egg bank that wants to keep risk low across its frozen inventory.

This category is a major reason a “no” from one place isn’t always universal—policies and matching models differ.

9. Mental Health Readiness Or Screening Concerns

Programs want donors to feel informed, stable, and supported. Many include a psychological evaluation as part of donor screening.

This is not a test of perfection. It’s more about informed consent, coping capacity, and confidence in your decision. Severe untreated mental health conditions, active eating disorders, or recent crises may result in a pause or decline.

Some applicants become eligible later after treatment and stability, depending on program policy.

10. Pregnancy, Postpartum Timing, Or Breastfeeding

Pregnancy and breastfeeding change hormone patterns and can make it harder to coordinate a safe, predictable donation cycle.

Many programs require you to be done breastfeeding and back to regular cycles before moving forward. People often stumble into this disqualifier while researching what disqualifies them from donating eggs, because they feel healthy and motivated, but timing is not ideal.

In many cases, this is temporary. The program may invite you to apply again after a set postpartum or weaning window.

11. Medications Or Hormonal Birth Control That Can’t Be Adjusted

Some medications conflict with stimulation, monitoring, or safe timing. Certain long-acting contraceptives can also affect cycle predictability for a while after stopping.

Egg donation programs typically review this early and tell you if a medication change or washout period is needed. If the medication is medically necessary and can’t be changed, that can be disqualifying.

If it can be adjusted safely with your doctor’s approval, it may become a short delay rather than a final decline.

12. Incomplete Follow-Through During Screening

Egg donation asks for punctual monitoring visits, quick communication, and consistent follow-through. Programs may decline applicants who miss appointments repeatedly, provide inconsistent information, or can’t commit to the full timeline.

Even if your health checks out, reliability matters because the process is time-sensitive and involves medical coordination. For many applicants, this one is solvable with planning: lining up transport, childcare, time off work, and a support person before starting.

Ready To See If You Qualify With Lucina Egg Bank

If you’re still thinking about what disqualifies you from donating eggs, the fastest way to get a real answer is to apply and let a donor team review your specifics. Many “disqualifiers” are timing-related, fixable, or program-specific—so you don’t have to talk yourself out of it based on a generic list.

If you’re healthy, motivated, and curious about your eligibility, the next step is to explore a program that values transparency and donor care.

Lucina Egg Bank offers a rigorous, ethical donation process with clear screening standards and dedicated support at every stage. Visit Lucina Egg Bank’s egg donation program to learn more and see if donating eggs could be right for you!