STDs – The Silent Epidemic

The World Egg Bank’s main focus, as you might assume by our name, is operating as an egg bank. In addition to our day-to-day business we also believe that we have the unique ability to be an educational tool on a communal level, especially in regards to women’s reproductive health. 

Every month we screen prospective egg donors to ensure they’re healthy and meet FDA requirements to donate. Through this testing protocol our organization has become hyperaware of the amount of women who live low-risk (and in many case monogamist) lifestyles that are unknowingly infected with an STD. In many of these cases women are in complete shock and can’t even think or who/when they would’ve contracted from. At TWEB, we want to educate and promote STD awareness, risks and prevention in hopes that all women can better protect their bodies in an informed manner.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that more than 1 in 2 people will have an STD at some point in their life. That’s right – 1 in 2, as in 50% of the population. Many of these STDs contracted are those that can usually be treated with antibiotics, however, it’s worth pointing out that there are now reported strains of the once treatable Gonorrhea that are becoming antibiotic resistent. Scary stuff to say the least! Young people account for a substantial portion of new STDs and the consequences can be particularly severe for women. It is reported by the CDC that undiagnosed STDs cause an estimated 24,000 women to become infertile each year. This is often times due to lack of symptoms and/or delayed testing. If STDs go left untreated for long periods of time it can lead to irreparable damage to the reproductive oregons. 

As you heard in sex ed the surest was to avoid STDs is abstinence, but realistically that route isn’t for everyone. For those who are sexually active their best line of defense and protection against STDs is the following – get tested, use condoms and communicate with partners. Regular testing for STDs is important because many infections can have little to no symptoms, so there is a chance that you and/or a partner could be infected and spreading the disease without even knowing it. Using a condom consistently and correctly greatly reduces the risk of contracting STDs through genital fluids, as well as sligtly lessens the risk herpes and HPV (although these can still be transmitted through skin to skin contact). 

If you are considering having unprotected sex, be sure to discuss with your partner the following:

•  Whether they’ve been tested for STDs
•  Which STDs they have been tested for and how recently
•  Whether or not they have had sex with anyone since they were last tested
•  Whether they have been vaccinated for HPV
•  Whether they have ever had a herpes outbreak (although many people have herpes but experience no symptoms)

Although this can seem like an uncomfortable discussion, it is important to have rather than assume a partner has been tested and free of STDs. Keep in mind you both have the right to know and make an informed decision before having unprotected sex. By taking necessary procautions and opening the lines of communication you will have reins to take control of your own sexual health.

 

For more information on protecting your body from an STD, visit the links below.

http://www.cdc.gov/std/products/infographics.html

http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/sti-estimates-fact-sheet-feb-2013.pdf

 

from The World Egg Bank http://www.theworldeggbank.com/blogs/stds-the-silent-epidemic/

A Letter from an Egg Donor Recruiter:

Whenever I meet someone new they ask the standard question, “What do you do for a living”? I say, “I’m a donor recruiter for an egg bank”. They respond with “Oh okay”, which usually follows with a long pause while they process the information, because needless to say it’s not a job you hear about everyday. Finally, they continue with “So…what is that exactly”?  Two and half years ago I would’ve asked the same question, then I was offered a position as donor recruiter at The World Egg Bank. Coming into the company I knew the basics – we find egg donors for recipients who cannot have kids, but after becoming an egg donor recruiter I realize that what The World Egg Bank does is so much more than that…

It didn’t take a long time in my position to gain a personal connection to every aspect of my job. Each woman that calls the office asking for “a little information” about egg donation leads to me going into a 5 minute spiel about eligibility requirements, the application process and an overview of what an egg donation cycle entails. You see most people who call think it’s a quick an easy thing to donate; they don’t realize the first time around it takes 2-3 months to complete the screening, doctor’s appointments and medications until one can have the procedure to donate eggs. Many women become overwhelmed when I tell them this information which is understandable, it’s a lot to take in at once. I then open the door for them to ask any question that could help them in their decision because the most important part of my job is to ensure that each woman knows what’s could potentially be in store. Some of them apply and some of them decide to not to proceed, and that’s okay. Egg donation isn’t for everyone. It requires a lot of honesty, time and commitment. Most of all it requires a true desire to help others and a willingness to give part of yourself to help others in need. It is the ultimate act of selflessness…and it’s beautiful.

When a woman applies to become an egg donor I gain insight into their whole life: their career, their education, their hobbies, their personality, their family history. Each answer I analyze thoroughly, but my favorite part of the application is when I get to read their answer to the question “why do you want to become an egg donor”? It’s while reading their answer to this question that I understand where their heart and intentions lye. Hundreds of women apply every month, but I’ve come to find that ones who follow through with the application process and become active are the ones who have 1) given a lot of thought and research into egg donation and 2) have a strong, genuine desire to change the lives of others. These women answer this question with excitement and love. Some tell me about how their aunt has struggled to have a baby so they want to help others who might be in the same situation. Some tell me they do not want children of their own so they want to share the gift of life with others instead of letting their eggs go to waste. Some tell me that they’ve always dreamed of having a family and they would love to help other’s who have that dream too. Some tell me that although they may not be ready for kids right now, they want to partake in an incredible opportunity to help others while also helping themselves financially.

As a donor recruiter every day I get to see the true power of when humanity and science come together as one to make extraordinary things come to life. It’s an honor to be a part of the process and get to educate the public on what egg donation is and how it changes lives worldwide.

If you’re reading this and you’re thinking that egg donation might be something you’d be interested in, first and foremost I want to say thank you and that you’re incredible for even considering it. Second, I would suggest you to check out the most frequently asked questions on our website to get a little more information and to apply. Finally, if you ever have any questions or if you just want to talk about the process send me an email – donors@theworldeggbank.com or give me a call 602.678.1906. Ask for Anna or Clarissa, we got you covered!

from The World Egg Bank http://www.theworldeggbank.com/blogs/a-letter-from-an-egg-donor-recruiter/

Who Needs an Egg Donor?

Good Question. In short, people facing infertility challenges, cancer survivors, married couples, members of the LGBTQ community, singles and many others need egg donors. In an ideal world, making a baby is a decision between two consenting adults. Sex is meant to be an intimate and tender occurrence. When you struggle with infertility, making a baby is not a private affair anymore; it is a stressful, scientific experience now shared with receptionists, doctors, nurses, drug
companies and ultrasound technicians. Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world.

Infertility is still somewhat of a taboo topic, but it’s certainly not rare. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 12 percent of women between the ages of 25 and 44 have difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term – which is almost one out of every seven women. It is difficult to describe the desperate feeling a person/woman/couple feels when told they have infertility issues and overwhelming when presented with the options for treatment. The process is long, exhausting, emotional and takes a hard toll on the woman and marriage both physically, emotionally and financially.

For most women, they do not realize there are infertility concerns until months of trying to conceive. Women are
waiting later in life to conceive choosing to focus on education or career first. A woman’s ability to conceive
diminishes greatly as we age – especially by the age of 34. But after months of trying, couples must consider
alternatives such as medications, IVF, IUI’s, egg donation, surrogacy and/or adoption.

from The World Egg Bank http://www.theworldeggbank.com/blogs/who-needs-an-egg-donor/

3 Steps to a Strong Donor Profile

Getting selected as a donor, and ultimately cycling quicker, can be as simple as making changes and updates to your donor profile. Think of your profile like that of used in online dating, where the goal is to present the best version of yourself. When a recipient goes to our roster they’re looking for a woman whose genetics will help them create their future child, so they take all elements of a profile from photos to responses to education into consideration when making their selection. Here are 3 easy ways to strengthen your donor profile –

1) Photos

Photos are key to being a selected because they are the sole glimpses the recipients have as to what a donor looks like. Therefore, the more photos and variety of photos displayed on the profile the better! Recipients like to see current photos both portrait and full body and they also like to see photos with family members. Photos taken throughout childhood and teenage years are also helpful as they show progression. Photos should be clear, high-quality and minimally altered and/or filtered (in other words please keep the flower crown or dog ears on Snapchat). Professionally done photos are highly encouraged although not required. Donors should have a minimum of 4 photos on their profile, but can upload up to 10!

2) Application answers

On the TWEB application we ask a lot questions about a donor’s interests, hobbies and personality. These give recipients insight as to who the donor is on a personable level. Donors should make sure that each of these questions are carefully answered and thought out, usage of complete sentences and proper grammar is essential.

Example:

Question – “What are some of your talents/abilities?”

Weak answer – “Dancing and sports”

Strong answer – “I have been in love with dancing since I started ballet at the age of five. My favorite styles are jazz and hip-hop. I am naturally athletic and played sports throughout high school. I varsity lettered in softball as well as played club volleyball. I currently play in a co-ed volleyball league on the weekends with some of my friends!” The more thorough and open the response the more of a chance the recipient has of understanding the donor’s personality and genuine interests.

from The World Egg Bank http://www.theworldeggbank.com/blogs/3-steps-to-a-strong-donor-profile/