Choosing an Egg Donor: What Criteria Can You Specify?

When you decide to use donor eggs, one of the first questions is: how much choice do you have? In Portugal's anonymous donation system, you won't meet your donor or know her identity, but you can specify preferences and receive detailed profiles. Understanding what you can (and can't) request helps you feel more in control of this important decision.

Key Takeaways

• Physical matching: You can specify eye color, hair color, skin tone, height, and ethnicity
• Anonymous system: No photos or identifying details shared, but detailed profiles provided
• Health screening: All donors undergo comprehensive medical, genetic, and psychological evaluation
• Your approval required: You review and approve the donor match before treatment proceeds
• Sibling planning: Same donor can be reserved for future siblings

How Anonymous Donation Works in Portugal

Key fact: Portuguese law requires egg donation to be anonymous. Donors and recipients never learn each other's identities, and children cannot access donor identity at age 18.

The System

• Donors undergo comprehensive screening
• Clinics maintain donor databases
• You specify preferences
• Clinic matches based on your criteria
• You receive a detailed (anonymous) profile
• You approve the match before proceeding

What Anonymous Means

You Will Know	You Won't Know
Physical characteristics	Name
Age	Address
Blood type	Workplace
Education level	Photos
General health history	Contact information
Ethnic background	Identifiable details

What You CAN Specify

Physical Characteristics

You can request matching based on:

Coloring:

• Hair color (blonde, brown, black, red)
• Eye color (blue, green, brown, hazel)
• Skin tone (fair, medium, olive, dark)

Build:

• Height range
• Body type (petite, average, tall)
• General build

Ethnicity:

• Portuguese/Southern European
• Northern European
• Eastern European
• Mediterranean
• Middle Eastern
• Asian
• African
• Mixed heritage

Blood Type

You can request a specific blood type:

• ABO type (A, B, AB, O)
• Rh factor (positive or negative)

Many intended parents prefer matching blood types for simplicity in future medical situations.

Educational Background

Donors provide education information:

• Highest level completed
• Field of study
• General occupation category

You can express preferences, though clinics note that education is influenced by environment as much as genetics.

Health Criteria

All donors are screened, but you can emphasize concerns:

• Family history of specific conditions
• Carrier status for genetic conditions
• Mental health history

What You'll Receive: The Donor Profile

When the clinic identifies a match, you'll receive a comprehensive profile:

Typical Profile Contents

Physical description:

• Age: 26
• Height: 165cm
• Weight: 58kg, BMI 21
• Hair: Dark brown, wavy
• Eyes: Hazel
• Skin: Medium/olive
• Build: Slim

Medical information:

• Blood type: A+
• AMH: 3.2 (excellent ovarian reserve)
• Karyotype: Normal 46,XX
• CF carrier: Negative
• SMA carrier: Negative
• No hereditary conditions

Background:

• Education: University degree (Psychology)
• Interests: Yoga, reading, travel
• Previous donations: 1 successful

Screening results:

• HIV, Hepatitis B/C, Syphilis: Negative
• CMV: IgG positive (past exposure)
• Psychological evaluation: Approved

What You CANNOT Know

Portuguese law prohibits sharing:

• Full name or identifying details
• Adult or childhood photographs
• Specific workplace or university
• Social media profiles
• Personal statements or essays
• Direct contact information

Why No Photos?

Unlike some US programs, Portugal doesn't provide donor photos. The goal is complete anonymity—even childhood photos could potentially be identifying.

The Matching Process

Step 1: You Specify Preferences

During consultation, you'll discuss:

• Physical characteristics important to you
• Any health concerns
• Education preferences (if any)
• Ethnic background preferences

Step 2: Clinic Searches Database

The donor coordinator reviews active donors matching your criteria, considering:

• Physical resemblance to you/partner
• Medical compatibility
• Current availability

Step 3: Profile Review

You receive one or more profiles to review. You can:

• Accept the proposed match
• Ask clarifying questions
• Request alternative donors

There's no pressure. If a donor doesn't feel right, the clinic will find another match.

Step 4: Confirmation & Treatment

Once you approve a donor:

• Treatment is scheduled
• Donor begins her cycle
• Your cycle is synchronized (or frozen eggs are prepared)

Donor Screening: What's Tested

All Portuguese egg donors undergo rigorous screening:

Medical Screening

• Complete physical examination
• Hormone panel (FSH, LH, AMH, Estradiol)
• Infectious disease testing
• Pelvic ultrasound
• General health assessment

Genetic Screening

• Karyotype analysis (chromosomal check)
• Cystic fibrosis carrier testing
• Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) testing
• Optional: expanded carrier panel (100+ conditions)

Psychological Screening

• Mental health evaluation
• Understanding of donation process
• Motivation assessment
• Counseling about implications

Exclusion Criteria

Donors are rejected if they have:

• Significant hereditary conditions
• Serious mental health history
• Substance abuse history
• Failed previous screening
• Age outside 18-35 range

Special Considerations

For LGBTQ+ Couples

If both partners are women, you might consider:

• Matching donor to the non-carrying partner
• Creating resemblance to both partners (blend of features)
• Focusing on health over appearance

For Single Women

You have complete autonomy over criteria. Some focus on:

• Traits they admire
• Resemblance to themselves
• Specific ethnic/cultural background

For Couples with One Partner's Eggs

If using partner sperm, genetic compatibility screening can be done between the donor and sperm provider to minimize shared recessive carrier risks.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Choosing donor criteria is deeply personal. Consider:

How important is physical resemblance?

• Do you want your child to "look like you"?
• Are you comfortable with difference?

What traits matter most?

• Physical characteristics?
• Educational background?
• Health history?

How do you feel about anonymity?

• Is it comfortable, or would you prefer identifiable donation (available in other countries)?

What will you tell your child?

• What information will you want to share?
• How will you answer their questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see photos of the donor?

No. Portuguese law requires anonymous donation, which prohibits sharing photos.

What if I don't like any of the donor options?

The clinic will continue searching. There are no waiting lists in Portugal, so alternative donors are typically available within a few weeks.

Can I use the same donor for future siblings?

Yes. You can request that eggs be frozen for future use, or that the clinic contact the same donor for subsequent cycles (if she's willing and still eligible).

Can the donor ever contact my child?

No. The anonymity is permanent—donors cannot access information about recipients or children, and vice versa.

How are donors compensated?

Portuguese law permits "reasonable compensation" for donors' time and inconvenience. This is included in the clinic's egg donation fee.

Finding Your Match

Choosing an egg donor is a significant decision, and you deserve to make it with full information and support. Portuguese clinics provide detailed profiles and thoughtful matching within the anonymous framework.

Book a free consultation to discuss how donor selection works and what criteria matter most to your family.

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Nestiva coordinates egg donation IVF in Porto for international patients. We guide you through the donor selection process with sensitivity and transparency.