You Are Not Alone!

Despite the general increase in awareness, some individuals still worry about stigma or feel a sense of isolation. They may wonder how family, friends, and society at large will react to their news, or even if others can relate to their situation. However, many people—everyday individuals as well as high-profile celebrities—have turned to donor eggs to build their families. In some cases, details remain private; in others, celebrities openly share parts of their fertility journeys, which can offer encouragement and help normalize the process.

1. Why Choose Donor Eggs?
2. SART Data: A Snapshot of Hope
3. You Are Far From Alone
4. Celebrities Who Have Used Donor Eggs
5. You Are In Good Company

1. Why Choose Donor Eggs?

Egg quality and quantity naturally decline as women age. By the mid-to-late 30s, fertility begins a steeper decline, and by the early 40s, it can be significantly more challenging to conceive using one’s own eggs. Statistics show that women over the age of 45 have a 1%- 5% chance of conceiving naturally. Certain medical conditions—like endometriosis, premature ovarian failure, or a history of cancer treatments—can also hamper ovarian function. For these and other reasons, many women turn to donor eggs.

For single men or male-male couples, the options for family building are limited to donor IVF plus surrogacy and/or adoption.

2. SART Data: A Snapshot of Hope

The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) tracks and reports on thousands of donor egg cycles that are carried out every year in the United States. These figures highlight that donor egg IVF is no longer rare or taboo. While exact numbers may vary slightly year to year, it is estimated that more than 24,000 donor egg cycles were performed in a recent reporting period, reflecting an active and growing community of intended parents seeking help. SART statistics also show promising success rates for donor egg IVF. Depending on factors such as the donor’s age and health, success rates can often exceed 50%-70% per embryo transfer, sometimes climbing even higher. This is especially notable given that success rates for IVF with a patient’s own eggs can drop with age, making donor eggs an increasingly common and viable solution.

3. You Are Far From Alone

Despite these positive statistics, it is normal to feel anxious and uncertain about the idea of using an egg donor. Questions about genetics, disclosure, and social stigma can weigh heavily. Yet, understanding that donor egg IVF is a widely adopted practice can help alleviate feelings of isolation. In addition to the thousands of parents each year who complete their families with the help of an egg donor, there is a growing community—both online and offline—of people who openly share their stories, triumphs, and struggles. Support groups, counseling, and fertility coaches are also available to help guide you through the decision-making process and prepare you emotionally for the journey.

Another factor that can help break down stigmas and feelings of “being the only one” is seeing public figures and celebrities who have gone through similar journeys. While privacy remains paramount for many, some high-profile women (and men) have either disclosed or are widely believed to have used donor eggs. Their openness—or even speculation about their journeys—can serve as a reminder that countless others are on the same path.

4. Celebrities Who Have Used Donor Eggs

While many public figures choose to keep their fertility decisions private, a few have either shared their experiences or are widely believed—often due to age or reported statements by close sources—to have used egg donors. Below are some examples:

• Tina Malone
  

  An English actress best known for her role in the UK’s Shameless, Tina Malone was open about her journey using donor eggs to become pregnant at the age of 50. She has given interviews discussing the emotional and physical aspects of the process, shedding light on how donor egg IVF helped her fulfill her dream of having another child.

• Mary Coustas
  

  An Australian actress and comedian, Mary Coustas (famous for the character “Effie”) publicly shared her harrowing fertility journey. After multiple failed IVF attempts and heartbreaking losses, she successfully welcomed a daughter through the help of donor eggs.

• Brigitte Nielsen
  

  The Danish actress and model gave birth at 54, and although she has not gone into great detail about the specifics of her fertility treatments, media outlets claim that her pregnancy involved donor eggs.

• Other High-Profile Women in Their Late 40s and 50s
  

  A growing number of actresses and public figures have had children in their mid-to-late 40s or even early 50s. In some cases, they have clarified that their own eggs were used (often preserved in earlier years), but in many instances, the details remain private. Still, the possibility and likelihood of donor egg use grows as maternal age at conception increases, so it is widely speculated that donor eggs play a crucial role in helping some celebrities welcome children later in life.

• High Profile Men
  • Sir Elton John & David Furnish
  • Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka
  • Anderson Cooper
  • Andy Cohen
  • Ricky Martin

5. You Are In Good Company

The takeaway is clear: whether it is a neighbor down the street or a household name on your TV screen, many people have used egg donors to fulfill their dreams of becoming parents. If you are on this path, remember that you are part of a growing community that understands your concerns, joys, and triumphs. With advancements in reproductive technology, supportive networks, and increasing openness about alternative family building, the sentiment “You are not alone” has never rung truer. Lean on your support systems, ask questions of qualified medical professionals, and take comfort in the fact that many have walked this path successfully—celebrities and everyday people alike.

Jenna Lake

Jenna Lake is co-founder of EDC Nexus, a unique registry developed to support Intended Parents, Egg Donors and Donor-Conceived Offspring — identified or de-identified — through a private online database providing medical updates and a mode of communication.

Jenna is the proud mother to a teenage, egg donor-conceived son. Her journey through third party reproduction directly launched a 15+ year career overseeing one of the largest clinic-led egg donor programs in the United States. After matching more than 3,000 cycles, and witnessing the ever-increasing demand for donor-conceived families to connect with their genetic and biological stories (and donors to stay informed of their contribution), Jenna helped to create a secure means of exchanging vital information and ensuring greater peace-of-mind on many fronts.

Currently, Jenna also serves as Operations Director at Egg Donor Connect. She is a past board member of Parents via Egg Donation, former consultant for a surrogate agency, and the author of several articles focusing on Egg Donors and Intended Parents. Jenna can be reached through her LinkedIn profile, or via email at jenna@eggdonorconnect.com.