The Sex Lives of College Girls is notorious for showcasing the reality of 21st century relationships for college-aged people. From Leighton embarking on sexual exploration to Whitney facing financial struggles, the show really speaks to the experiences that many college students face. In Season 2, we get to watch as fallout ensues from Kimberly’s Season 1 cheating scandal that ultimately led to her scholarship being taken away. In Episode 3 of The Sex Lives of College Girls Season 2, Kimberly ponders a potential solution that she believes would lessen her financial stress: donating her eggs. But can you actually sell your eggs in college?
Selling eggs is often referred to as a simple route for egg-bearing people to make some extra money, and that’s depicted clearly in the show. When meeting up with her financial advisor, Kimberly assesses her options, eventually catching sight of a pamphlet that showcases an attention-grabbing statistic: Egg donors could receive up to $80,000 in compensation.
Kimberly goes on to contemplate the pros and cons that would come with donating her eggs, and she eventually decides to put in an application. It may seem like a quick fix for viewers, but it raises the question of how easy is it for a college student to donate their eggs, and is it even possible? The egg donation process can be pretty intense, and there’s an assortment of requirements that potential candidates have to possess to even be considered.
- Egg donors must meet physical health requirements.
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First things first, it’s important that if you’re thinking about donating eggs, you’re in good health, and yes: Age is a big factor. Though minimum and maximum ages of egg donors can differ between agencies, candidates will generally need to be between 21 and 31. Additionally, in the “good health” category, candidates will need to have an adequate BMI (typically between 19 and 29), a positive family health history, be a non-smoker, have no history of substance abuse, and have regular, monthly menstrual periods. A fertility, medical, and genetic screening will all take place to assess a potential donor’s physical health.
- Candidates must also have good mental health.
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You didn’t think that potential donors would only be assessed on physical health, did you? Mental health is a huge factor considered for applicants wanting to donate their eggs. A psychological screening will allow egg donation agencies to evaluate your mental state and if you would be an adequate candidate for the procedure.
- Donors cannot use certain forms of birth control.
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Tying into the physical health evaluation process, the type of birth control a potential donor may be using is a huge factor to one’s eligibility to donate eggs. If you have the Mirena IUD or implant and the Depo-Provera injection, you will not be able to donate your eggs.
- You must be committed to the process.
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It’s safe to say that the egg donation process is not an easy one. It takes a good amount of time and commitment to get to the final stages, something that should definitely be taken seriously. In short, the egg retrieval/donation process looks a little bit like this:
- Donors are put onto birth control pills to stimulate cycle synchronization.
- After three weeks, donors get a vaginal sonogram and begin self-injecting Lupron hormones for around seven to 14 days.
- Follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) will then be self-injected for around eight to 10 days (to grow egg follicles).
- Vaginal sonograms and blood tests are utilized to monitor donors follicle growth throughout this stage.
- An STI screening will be performed.
- Next, donors move into the egg retrieval stage after follicles have successfully matured.
- HCG injections are administered to prepare for retrieval 36 hours after injection.
- The donor is given light IV sedation throughout the procedure. Via ultrasound, a needle is passed through the vaginal wall to aspirate follicle fluid that contains eggs.
- The procedure takes around 30 minutes or less, and then donors are monitored for one to two hours before being driven home.
- Donors can go back to their routines about a day after the procedure, with no physically demanding activity or exercise.
In short, donating your eggs will not happen overnight, and it does not come without dedication.
- But, how much can you get paid?
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Now that we’ve gone over pretty much everything about the egg donation process, I bet you’re still contemplating that one burning question: How much do egg donors get paid? Well, this will vary from agency to agency, but donors are typically paid around $5,000 to $10,000. Additionally, other expenses are always paid for, including medical expenses, egg donor insurance, attorney fees, and travel expenses. For those who do find themselves traveling, that is covered with payment of airfare, hotel accommodations, and ground transportation.
- So, technically, yes: You can sell your eggs in college.
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If you meet all of the discussed requirements, then yes: You can sell your eggs in college. That’s not to say that the process will be quick and easy, but it is doable. Even if you do meet the general requirements, you should always consult a doctor or gynecologist if you’re thinking about going through the egg donation process. I guess we’ll all have to wait and see if Kimberly is an eligible egg donor candidate and if she can pass all of the relative screenings in Season 2 of The Sex Lives of College Girls.