Sperm Is Running Low In New Zealand Because They Banned Anonymous Donations

New Zealand is facing a shortage of sperm.

Same, am I right ladies? But in all seriousness, it's a real issue.

According to The Guardian, New Zealand has such little amounts of sperm that they can only treat 80 families at a time. However, the demand is four times greater than that.

The wait time to receive sperm is about two years. Often, women and couples seeking to start their families with a sperm donor are older, so waiting two years is not always an option.

Dr. Mary Birdsall, a fertility specialist with Fertility Associates, said that New Zealand's shortage is so bad that women are willing to travel abroad to get the sperm. She added,

It's a very challenging situation. It's challenging to recruit donors, and it is tough on the women who are psychologically and biologically ready to start a family, but can't. They might already be in the 40s age bracket and time is crucial. Even six months could make the difference between having a child or not.

So where did all the sperm go? Why did it suddenly dry up in New Zealand?

Thanks to a law passed in 2004, anonymous sperm donations are banned. A donor has to agree to being identified once the child turns 18.

Between strict medical tests and counseling and an inadequate payment for their sperm, men aren't lining up to donate.

Australia and England currently allow foreign sperm to be imported in, and many women in New Zealand believe the country should follow their lead.

Until then, some believe the solution should be better compensation for men who donate.

Citations: New Zealand's serious sperm shortage: 'It has become a continuous drought' (The Guardian)