Psychological characteristics and factors related to willingness to donate again among anonymous oocyte donors

To assess post-donation psychological status of a large sample of professionally recruited, paid anonymous donors and to determine whether there were any differences between those who were willing to donate again and those who were not.

Cross-sectional survey.

Healthy donors who were recruited by two private groups.

One hundred fifteen donors who had completed at least one donation cycle at one of six IVF programs in a large Midwestern city.

None.

Self-report questionnaire assessing psychological symptoms, self-esteem, expectations, satisfaction, and attitudes toward donation.

Psychological symptomatology and self-esteem were in the normal range. Altruism and compensation were the two most frequently cited motivators for donation. Of the donors, 82% were moderately to very satisfied with the donation experience. First-time donors were significantly younger, reported more post-donation psychiatric symptoms, and had slightly lower self-esteem. Of the donors, 35% stated they would donate again; 37% would not, and 28% were undecided. Donors who were willing to donate again reported significantly less ambivalence about donation and significantly greater satisfaction with the medical aspects of donation.

Approximately one third of donors are willing to donate more than once. These women report less ambivalence and greater satisfaction with the donation experience.