Donor Sperm Shortage Leaves Finnish Fertility Patients Waiting Months to Years

This summer Finland's university hospitals, including Tampere University Hospital (TAYS), are experiencing an acute nationwide shortage of donor sperm, leaving many public fertility patients waiting months or even up to two years for treatment, YLE reports.

Hospitals point to several causes. The rise of at-home DNA tests and publicity about past donors have made some men reluctant to donate. Finnish law also allows a child conceived through assisted reproduction to learn the donor's identity at age 18.

Clinics say donor screening is strict, with only around 30 to 40 percent of volunteers passing, and semen quality is the most common reason for rejection. Demand is driven largely by single women and female couples.

Waiting times vary. Oulu University Hospital (OYS) has the most severe delays, with some patients facing up to two years. Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) puts initial waiting times at about 9 to 15 months, with further waits for donor sperm. Turku University Hospital (TYKS) sees noticeably shorter queues.

Doctors at TAYS and other centres are counselling donors and recipients about the ethics of DNA databases. Clinicians are weighing measures such as modestly higher compensation and the possible use of foreign-origin donors in public care if the shortage continues.