Tests before egg donation: mistakes that delay your fertility treatment

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At Vida Fertility, we know that taking the step towards egg donation is not always easy.

Many women do so after a long and emotional journey, where accepting the loss of their genetic material can cause doubts, sadness or even fear. That is why we are committed to supporting you with a fully personalised medical approach.

Before starting any assisted reproduction treatment, we always carry out a basic fertility study  tailored to your personal situation.

This study begins with a detailed medical interview, in which we listen to your medical history, your family history and your current needs.

Based on this initial assessment, our team will recommend, only if necessary, more specific complementary tests to help us determine the most appropriate treatment for you.

Dr Katharina Spies, medical director at Vida Fertility, explains what these tests involve before egg donation or IVF with donor eggs and sperm, always with the aim of offering you security, transparency and confidence at such a special time in your life.

clinica de fertilidad en madrid equipo Vida fertility Dra. Katharina Spies especialista en fertilidad madrid

At Vida Fertility, we know that every path to motherhood is unique, and that egg donation involves many emotions and important decisions. That is why, before taking this step, we want to ensure that you have all the necessary information and security.

We follow a clear and comprehensive diagnostic protocol, which allows us to thoroughly understand your situation and accompany you with the care you deserve. These are the most common fertility tests, for both women and men, which help us to design the most appropriate IVF with egg donation for you.

Fertility tests before egg donation for women:

At Vida Fertility, we take care of every detail so that you feel supported and secure throughout the process. Before we begin, we carry out a series of female fertility tests, which help us to ensure that your body is ready to receive the embryo and promote implantation.

  • Transvaginal ultrasound

This allows us to evaluate the anatomy of the uterus and ovaries, checking that everything is in optimal condition for a future pregnancy.

  • Transfer test

Using a very thin, flexible cannula, we assess the length, direction and characteristics of the cervix. It is a short, painless procedure that is very useful for planning the future embryo transfer with greater certainty.

  • General analysis

This includes a complete blood count, biochemistry, coagulation and also parameters such as vitamin D and homocysteine. These tests give us a complete picture of your state of health.

  • Hormone analysis

Beyond the usual markers, in egg donation we pay special attention to hormones such as thyroid hormones and others depending on your medical history, as they can influence endometrial receptivity and pregnancy development.

  • Infectious serology

These are essential for safety before any treatment: HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and toxoplasma.

  • Mammogram

Recommended from the age of 40 in women with no personal or family history of risk. In cases of first-degree family history, screening is recommended from the age of 35.

  • Cytology

It is important to have a recent cytology test (less than 2 years old) to rule out cervical pathology before starting treatment.

 

‘Our goal is that, before starting the egg donation process step by step, you feel that everything is under control and that you have a team that cares as much about your health as it does about your emotional well-being,’ adds Dr Katharina Spies.

Fertility tests for men prior to egg donation:

Complete semen analysis

The semen analysis assesses the volume, concentration, motility and morphology of the sperm.

Infectious serology

As with women, hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis are tested to ensure safety in procedures and traceability of samples.

Sperm DNA fragmentation (only when necessary)

This is assessed in cases of previous implantation failures or poor embryo quality. It is also recommended for men over the age of 45-50 or who smoke.

Genetic matching (Genetic Compatibility Test – CGT)

In egg donation, we perform a genetic compatibility test between the egg donor and the father’s semen sample.

This analysis allows us to rule out that both are carriers of mutations in the same genes, thus preventing the transmission of serious hereditary diseases to the future baby.

Why are tests necessary before egg donation?

Before starting egg donation, diagnostic tests are essential to determine your state of health and ensure that your body is ready to receive the embryo. Every woman comes to this treatment with a different personal history, which is why it is essential to carefully assess all medical aspects before taking the plunge.

“A healthy, receptive uterus is not the same as one with abnormalities that we must treat first, nor is a normal semen analysis the same as one with significant abnormalities. Thanks to these tests, our team can design an individualised protocol with the best possible success rates,” explains Vida Fertility’s medical director, Dr Katharina Spies.

Can I have these tests done in my country before coming to Spain?

Yes, many international patients at Vida Fertility do so.

What we will ask you at Vida Fertility is that the tests you take are up to date, properly interpreted and validated by our medical team. Therefore, if you are considering undergoing fertility treatment at Vida Fertility, we recommend that you contact us first so that we can:

  • Assess your history.
  • Send you a personalised list of tests according to your case.
  • Ensure that the tests you take are useful for your treatment.

What makes Vida Fertility different?

At Vida Fertility, we are not only one of the most modern and advanced clinics in Spain. We also take care of our patients’ emotional experience. This includes:

  • Medical consultations with time and personalisation in each case.
  • Fertility laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
  • Specialists with international training and experience in reproductive medicine.
  • A humane, friendly and non-judgmental approach. Many of us have undergone fertility treatment ourselves, so we know how it feels to be on the other side.

Why choose Vida Fertility for egg donation in Spain?

State-of-the-art technologies

Our treatments combine state-of-the-art ART equipment, technology and artificial intelligence with an experienced professional team.

Personalised Patient Care

The same team will be at your side from your first contact through to your pregnancy. Specialising in complex cases, all our protocols are tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

Human-sized Boutique clinic

Vida Fertility is a boutique clinic and many of us have been personally through fertility treatments. We understand and support you 100%.

Communication 100% in English

We place a great deal of importance on good communication, which will be entirely in English, both with the team and for all documentation.

Frequently asked questions about the tests required before egg donation

What are the basic tests required before egg donation?

Dr Katharina Spies answers:

Starting egg donation treatment without the necessary tests is not an option. These tests allow us to guarantee your safety, ascertain your state of health and plan the most appropriate medical protocol for you.

For women, the basic tests include:

  • Medical history and consultation
  • Transvaginal ultrasound scan
  • General blood tests
  • Infectious serology tests
  • Mammogram
  • Cytology

For men, the recommended tests are:

  • Medical history and interview
  • Complete semen analysis
  • Sperm DNA fragmentation
  • Infectious serology tests
  • Genetic matching (compatibility test)

Why are these tests requested before egg donation?

Dr Katharina Spies replies:

Because they are the clinical basis that allows us to treat you safely, tailor the treatment to your situation and provide you with the best possible medical protocol. With these tests, we check that your body is ready to receive the embryo and that we minimise any risks.

Infectious serology tests are essential to protect you, the donor and the future baby, always ensuring the traceability of the samples. With ultrasound and transfer testing, we can rule out uterine abnormalities and ensure that the future implantation takes place in the best conditions, without any unforeseen events at key moments.

In the case of men, tests such as semen analysis, sperm DNA fragmentation and genetic matching help us to ensure genetic compatibility with the donor.

In addition, for international patients, we organise which tests can be done in their country of origin and which must be repeated here, so that everything is up to date at the time of transfer. In this way, we approach the treatment with the utmost preparation and the highest chances of success.

What STD tests are performed before egg donation?

Dr Katharina Spies replies:

These are the STD tests equired by many centres before egg donation and are in line with the Spanish healthcare system’s safety frameworks for assisted reproduction.

  • HIV
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Syphilis
  • Cytomegalovirus
  • Toxoplasma
  • Rubella

How far in advance should I have the tests done?

Dr Katharina Spies replies:

Ideally, the tests should be done about 4 to 8 weeks before starting endometrial preparation. This gives us enough time to review the results, request any additional tests if necessary, and plan your treatment calmly.

For international patients, this timeframe also allows us to organise travel and coordinate which tests you can have done in your home country and which ones should be repeated at the clinic so that they are valid at the time of transfer.

How long are the tests valid before egg donation?

Dr Katharina Spies replies:

Always check with the medical team.

It depends on the type and policy of each clinic. In general, serology tests are updated every 6-12 months, cytology according to current screening, hormones and semen analysis can be repeated if the last result is not recent or there have been clinical changes.

Can I have the tests done in my country and bring the results to Spain?

Dr Katharina Spies replies:

Yes. The important thing is that they are up to date, with clear units and reference ranges. At Vida Fertility, we check the list beforehand so that you do not repeat unnecessary tests.

Can I have the tests done in my country and bring the results to Spain?

Dr Katharina Spies replies:

It depends on the plan, but we usually minimise travel: many tests are done at home; endometrial preparation can be monitored remotely; and the trip to Spain is focused on the semen sample and embryo transfer.

 

If you are planning to arrange egg donation in Spain ,request an assessment with me. I will review your medical history in detail, send you a precise checklist of the fertility tests you need to undergo, and provide you with a fixed schedule to begin your fertility treatment in Spain, optimising time, travel and costs.

I will prioritise your safety and your chances of success with a truly tailor-made protocol.

Consultation slots are reserved for patients who wish to start treatment at our clinics.

Ask for a consultation



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ℹ️ The information published on Vida Fertility is reviewed by our fertility specialists and medical team, following up-to-date scientific criteria and evidence-based medicine. Our team is a member at scientific societies such as SEF, ESHRE and SEGO.