Involuntary infertility

Involuntary infertility is a scenario that often involves physical, mental, and social impacts in different areas of your life, such as your relationship. Never think that you should suffer alone with your thoughts and feelings. It is important to find help whenever you feel like you need it.

You can ask for someone to talk to from your wellbeing services county’s social welfare and health care services or from your occupational health care, maternity and child health clinics, student health care, parish, or other organisations. Many infertility clinics also provide psychological support.

If you need discussion help quickly or feel like you are in a crisis, you can receive acute help from the social and crisis emergency services of your wellbeing services county. You can also contact the national crisis helpline.

Involuntary infertility can become a strain on your relationship. Free, low-threshold assistance is available from e.g. the following organisations: Simpukka ry, the Family Federation of Finland, and Mieli ry.

If pregnancy cannot be achieved through regular intercourse after trying for one year, it is recommended to seek an infertility examination. You can opt for an examination at an even earlier point if you have any factors that may inhibit your fertility, such as endometriosis or ovulation disorders.

If you intend to opt for an infertility examination through a public health care provider, it is recommended to start the process by the time you turn 35. If you wish to seek infertility treatments via public health care, the treatments must be started before you turn 40.

Private infertility clinics typically provide examinations and treatment on a case-by-case basis, and these are also available to women aged 40 or over.

We cannot provide any fully accurate cost estimates, as each treatment path is always unique.

If you opt for a public health care provider, you will need to pay the usual client and medicine fees that you would pay in social welfare and health care.

Private clinics charge their own prices for examinations and treatments, and their treatments are usually more expensive than in public health care. The costs can amount to thousands of euros. However, under certain conditions, you may be entitled to reimbursement for examinations and treatments if your infertility is due to an illness.

In public health care, the infertility treatment process starts with basic examinations that are then continued in specialised medical care with further examinations and fertility treatments. You will need a referral from a physician for specialised fertility treatment in public health care.

You can schedule your first visit with a nurse or physician at your local health centre, occupational health care, or student health care. You can also discuss the topic with your gynaecologist.

If you elect to use a private clinic, you can get in touch with one directly to schedule your first visit for a infertility examination and the possible resulting fertility treatments.

Infertility treatments can often be mentally straining for many individuals, and some experience more physical side effects than others. It is important to take care of your physical and mental well-being during the process. The professionals you meet during the treatment process are often aware of the challenges of being childless, and you can talk to them about any questions and thoughts you may have about your treatments.

If you feel that you are not receiving enough support, you can ask for help from your health centre, student health care, or occupational health care. You can also contact a private psychologist or therapist who specialises in childlessness.

Peer support can also be helpful, as it is likely to promote your well-being and make it easier to deal with the situation throughout your treatment process.

There are alternative pathways to welcoming a child into your family. Although today's infertility treatments often have a good rate of success, you can also consider other options and choose the most suitable path for you.

Other options for welcoming a child into your family include adoption and co-parenting. Co-parenting means having and sharing a child with a person with whom you are not intimately involved.

You can also become a foster or support parent if you want to share your life with a child and wish to support children who are experiencing difficulties in life.

• Read more about the adoption path in this guide.
• Read more about co-parenting at kumppanuusvanhemmaksi.fi (in Finnish).Opens in a new window.
• Read more about foster parenting and who can be a foster parent at Omaperhe.fi.Opens in a new window.