# Treatment of infertility Keywords: - [infertility treatments](< /en/search?q=infertility treatments >) - [donating sperm](< /en/search?q=donating sperm >) - [donating eggs](< /en/search?q=donating eggs >) We conduct infertility examinations at gynecological outpatient clinics. The infertility examinations require that you have a physician’s referral from primary health care or a private physician, usually after about a year of trying to get pregnant. If you have a gynecological illness that makes it difficult to get pregnant, examinations associated with the treatment of infertility can sometimes be initiated earlier.  We carry out basic infertility examinations at the Reproductive Medicine Unit in Helsinki and at Hyvinkää, and Porvoo Hospitals. We have centralized insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, treatments with donated gametes, and more demanding infertility treatments at the Reproductive Medicine Unit in Helsinki. The activities of the fertility treatment clinic are governed by Finnish legislation and the Uniform criteria for access to non-emergency care of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. - [ Act on the Medical Use of Human Organs, Tissues and Cells (Finlex.fi) (opens in new window, links to another website) ](https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2001/20010101) - [ Act on Assisted Fertility Treatments (Finlex.fi) (opens in new window, links to another website) ](https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2006/20061237?search%5Btype%5D=pika&search%5Bpika%5D=hedelm%C3%B6ityshoitolaki) ## General medical criteria for infertility treatments - A referral can be made when the couple has been actively trying to become pregnant for at least 12 months and the couple already has no more than one child together. A single woman or a female couple seeking treatment can have one child already. - If there is a known situation that clearly complicates the onset of pregnancy (such as the absence of menstruation, ovulation disorder, severe endometriosis pain), examinations can be started earlier. - A woman’s body mass index (BMI) should be above 18 and below 35. - All nicotine products should be discontinued before seeking infertility examinations. Drug and alcohol abuse prevent access to infertility treatments. - In infertility treatment, the probability of childbirth should be more than 10% per treatment cycle. - Access to treatments with donated gametes is limited by the number of donated gametes available. Therefore, these treatments are not covered by the treatment time guarantee. The criteria for treatment with donated gametes are, as a rule, the same as those used for treatments using the couple’s own cells. Legislation requires that donation counseling is provided as part of the treatment process using donated gametes**.** Read more on the HUS [Sperm and Egg Bank web page.](https://www.hus.fi/sukusolupankki) ## Care pathway for infertility ### Referral --- Infertility examinations begin in outpatient health care, for example, at a health center, or a private physician’s appointment. If the referral criteria for specialized healthcare are met, a referral is made to a gynecological outpatient clinic. The referral will either be accepted or returned if the criteria are not met or if the referral is incomplete. If your referral has been returned, you can ask the referring unit for reasons behind this. After the referral has been accepted, you will either receive instructions at home to undergo further examinations or an appointment to see a physician directly. ### Examinations before appointment --- Before your appointment, our physician may ask you to have additional examinations, such as provide a blood sample or a sperm sample, even if you have already had some laboratory tests done. You do not need to notify us once you have had your tests, as we will check this in the patient information system. Go and have your examinations done as soon as possible, after which you can wait to be notified of your appointment. Appointments can only be booked after the examinations have been completed. You will receive information about the test results at your first appointment. ### First visit --- Fill in the preliminary information form before the appointment. At the appointment, the physician will discuss your state of health, current medication, allergies, and lifestyle. We always invite the couple to attend the first appointment together. The woman undergoes a gynecological examination and, if necessary, the spouse is also examined. We examine the fallopian tubes for blockages if necessary. After the appointment, further examinations, such as blood testing, may be necessary. The Act on Assisted Fertility Treatments requires that we screen for infectious diseases (HIV and hepatitis) before any fertility treatments. In the case of a couple visiting the appointment together, both will need to pay an appointment fee. After the first visit, the treatment plan will be individual and will depend on the patient’s or couple’s lifestyle, health status, and the underlying infertility factors. The most common options are as follows: - No reason is found for the infertility, i.e., it is a case of unexplained infertility. Even one in four couples will receive this diagnosis. If the duration of the attempts to become pregnant is not very long, it is likely that pregnancy will start naturally over time. The couple will continue to try for a pregnancy at home until an agreed time point, after which fertility treatments will be started if the attempts have not led to a pregnancy. - The treatment is started with medication that provides mild support for ovulation. If necessary, the treatment is also combined with artificial insemination. If you are using the digital MyPath, go through the material included in the service carefully before the appointment for IVF planning. - The treatment proceeds directly to IVF. Due to the high demand for IVF treatment, there is a waiting list with a varying waiting time of 3 to 6 months. Before starting treatment, the IVF is planned in more detail at a specialist’s appointment. If you are using the digital My Path, go through its material carefully before the IVF planning appointment. - Further examinations or treatment is needed. You will be instructed to book an appointment for the examination yourself or an appointment with a specialist will be booked for you and an invitation sent to your home by mail. If you have been referred for blood testing, visit the laboratory to have your tests taken before your next appointment. - Patients wishing to receive treatment with donated gametes will participate in donation counseling with a psychologist, as required by law, and the treatment decision will be made after the counseling and an evaluation. ## What happens during infertility treatment? ### Ovulation induction treatment --- Ovulation induction treatments are designed to induce or strengthen ovulation. In the treatment, the woman uses medication as tablets or injections according to the instructions she has received from the clinic. Treatment is combined with either sexual intercourse or insemination scheduled at the time of ovulation. ### Artificial insemination --- In an insemination, washed sperm is injected into a woman’s uterine cavity at the time of ovulation. Insemination treatment is usually carried out in a menstrual cycle supported by hormone therapy (tablets or injections). In treatment with donated sperm, where there is no medical reason on the background, the insemination can also be carried out within the patient’s own menstrual cycle. In practice, the insemination is scheduled at the time of ovulation, either according to the woman’s positive ovulation prediction test or according to a timed “release injection” to trigger ovulation. As ovulation approaches, we recommend that the couple has intercourse every couple of days. This will significantly improve the success of the treatment. On the day of the insemination, the man will deliver a semen sample to the sperm laboratory, where the sample undergoes a washing procedure. The purpose of washing is to separate the most motile sperm for injection into the uterus. In certain situations, it is possible to use donated sperm which has been frozen for storage at the Sperm and Egg Bank prior to the treatment. The washed sperm are introduced into the uterus with a thin flexible catheter over a time of a few minutes. The procedure is usually painless. If the amount of motile sperm remains very small after the washing procedure, the treatment will proceed with IVF depending on the situation. ### In vitro fertilization treatment (IVF/ICSI) --- In in vitro fertilization (IVF/ICSI), hormone injections are used to stimulate the simultaneous growth of several follicles. A woman injects the drug herself for approximately 10 days. We monitor how the ovaries respond to the treatment with 1 or 2 ultrasound examinations. An ultrasound guided needle is used to extract the ovum from each mature ovary follicle through the vagina to a test tube. You will be given an effective sedative and painkiller for this procedure. The procedure takes about 5 to 10 minutes. You will be given sick leave for the day of the procedure and the following day. On the day of harvesting the eggs, the semen sample must be delivered to the sperm laboratory, where the sample undergoes a washing procedure. After the extraction, the eggs are fertilized in the laboratory. Donated sperm can also be used in the treatment. We monitor the development of the embryos for a few days, after which an embryo is transferred to the uterus to grow. If more than one embryo of good quality develops, the other embryos are frozen. ### Transfer of a frozen embryo --- The embryo obtained in IVF/ICSI treatment is frozen and, after thawing, it is transferred to the uterus in either a natural or medically supported menstrual cycle. ### Surgical treatment --- Surgical treatment may be required before or during infertility treatments, for example, in situations where the cause of infertility is endometriosis or myoma. ## Frequently asked questions ### How can I get treated for infertility? --- For infertility treatments, you will need a referral from your primary healthcare provider. [Further information is available here.](https://www.hus.fi/potilaalle/hoidot-ja-tutkimukset/lapsettomuuden-hoito#l%C3%A4hete) ### When can I receive a new treatment after giving birth? --- - If you have frozen embryos after childbirth, a new referral is not needed. Please contact the Reproductive Medicine Unit’s advice and appointment booking number 09 471 72882 (call-back service open on weekdays from 7:00 to 11:30 a.m.). - Embryo transfers can continue no earlier than one year after giving birth. - Before the planning appointment, breastfeeding should have stopped and the menstrual cycle should have started (excluding women with menstrual problems). - A planning appointment will be booked for the couple. - In the case of a wish for a new pregnancy with fertility treatment in a situation where there are no more frozen embryos, a new referral is required for treatment. ### Why was my referral rejected? --- If your referral has been returned, you can ask the referring unit for reasons behind this. ### What happens on the first visit? --- [Read more about the first visit here.](https://www.hus.fi/potilaalle/hoidot-ja-tutkimukset/lapsettomuuden-hoito#ensik%C3%A4ynti) ### How do I deliver a sperm sample? --- The sperm laboratory at the Reproductive Medicine Unit in Tilkan Viuhka is open by appointment only. You will receive more detailed instructions in the appointment letter or via Maisa. For semen analysis, it is important to collect all of the ejaculated sperm. Collect the sample by masturbating into a container provided from the sperm laboratory or outpatient clinic. Follow the provided instructions. Make sure 24 hours have passed since the ejaculation preceding the sample. Abstinence shorter or longer than this may affect the analysis result. You can provide the sample either at home or in a sampling room at the Reproductive Medicine Unit. Sperm cells are sensitive to temperature changes. If you collect the sample at home, you need to bring it to the sperm laboratory within one hour of ejaculation. A good place to transport the container is in a breast pocket near the skin. This way, the sperm cells will be protected from major temperature changes. ### What is the course of the treatments? --- [Read more about the course of the treatments here.](https://www.hus.fi/potilaalle/hoidot-ja-tutkimukset/lapsettomuuden-hoito#lapsettomuuden-hoitopolku-89042) [General information about fertility and fertility treatments can be found on the Women’s Hub website.](https://www.terveyskyla.fi/naistalo/lis%C3%A4%C3%A4ntymisterveys/lapsettomuus/lapsettomuushoidot) ### How long are the waiting times for infertility treatments? --- Due to the high demand for IVF treatment, there is a waiting list with a varying waiting time of 4 to 6 months. There is no queue for ovulation induction and insemination therapy, but sometimes the treatment cannot be started immediately due to a shortage of appointments. The waiting time for treatments with donated gametes varies depending on the availability of gametes. ### Do I have to have lab tests taken if I already had them at the health center? --- If you receive a referral to laboratory tests, our physician has ordered further testing for you before your appointment. [Read more about laboratory tests here.](https://www.hus.fi/potilaalle/hoidot-ja-tutkimukset/lapsettomuuden-hoito#tutkimukset-ennen-vastaanottoa) ### How many people are able to have children through the treatments? --- About 80 percent of those who come into our unit for examinations become pregnant, either through treatments or naturally. The probability of success of fertility treatments is individual and it is influenced by, among other things, lifestyle, underlying reason for the infertility and age. Old age is the most significant factor that reduces the chances of successful treatments. [Read more about the results of infertility treatments here. ](https://www.hus.fi/ammattilaiselle/hoitotuloksemme/lapsettomuushoitojen-tilastot) ### We are a couple. Why do we both get invoiced for some appointments? --- When an appointment is booked for the couple together, both will need to pay an appointment fee. ### Where can I ask about matters regarding the storage of my sperm, eggs, or embryos? --- In matters related to storing your sperm, eggs, or embryos, and renewing or terminating a storage agreement, please send an email to . Likelihood to recommend (NPS) ## Gynecology and Obstetrics Feedback (pcs) 8749 Situation 2.5.2026 -100 82 100 i What is NPS? ## [ Sperm and Egg Bank – donation of eggs and sperm ](/en/sperm-and-egg-bank) hus.fi You may donate sperm or eggs to the HUS Sperm and Egg Bank for infertility treatments for other patients. Go to the Sperm and Egg Bank website  ## Units related to the service ### [ Gynecological Outpatient Clinic, Hyvinkää Hospital ](/en/patient/hospitals-and-other-units/hyvinkaa-hospital/gynecological-outpatient-clinic-hyvinkaa) At the Gynecological Outpatient Clinic, we treat and examine many gynecological diseases. We also perform procedures and abortions. ### [ Gynecology Outpatient Clinic, Porvoo Hospital ](/en/patient/hospitals-and-other-units/porvoo-hospital/gynecology-outpatient-clinic-porvoo-hospital) At the Gynecology Outpatient Clinic in Porvoo Hospital, we treat and examine gynecological diseases. We also perform procedures and abortions. ### [ Reproductive Medicine Unit, Tilkan Viuhka ](/en/patient/hospitals-and-other-units/reproductive-medicine-unit-tilkan-viuhka) In the Reproductive Medicine Unit, we examine and treat disorders of female hormonal function, infertility, and gynecological problems of young girls. We…  Updated: 04.02.2026 Print this page