What is Secondary Infertility?
Secondary infertility is the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after previously having one or more children. Unlike primary infertility, where individuals have never conceived before, secondary infertility occurs in women who have previously experienced a successful pregnancy.
Unfortunately, this is a fairly common condition, with secondary infertility impacting 11% of couples in the United States. This kind of diagnosis comes as a shock to couples who have successfully conceived before and can lead to confusion, frustration, and emotional distress.
If you believe you may be experiencing secondary infertility, it’s essential to seek help from a qualified fertility specialist like us here at Fertility Partnership. We can conduct a thorough evaluation to identify any underlying issues and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
What Causes Secondary Infertility?
Unlike primary infertility, where the typical cause is pre-existing conditions, secondary infertility can be influenced by a broader range of factors. These include the below:
Age: As a woman ages, her fertility naturally declines, making conception more challenging, even if she has previously had children.
Changes in Reproductive Health: Conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or fibroids can develop or worsen over time, affecting your fertility.
Male Factor Infertility: It’s a little bit of a myth that men can have children at any age. Changes in sperm quality or quantity can occur over time, impacting a couple’s ability to conceive.
Lifestyle Factors: Changes in diet, exercise, stress levels, or exposure to environmental toxins can affect fertility in both men and women.
Previous Pregnancy or Birth Complications: Complications during a previous pregnancy or birth, such as uterine scarring or pelvic adhesions, can impact fertility.
Unexplained Causes: In some cases, no clear cause of secondary infertility can be identified, which can be particularly frustrating for couples seeking answers.
What Are The Treatment Options Available For Secondary Infertility?
There are a variety of treatment options available for secondary infertility. The specifics will depend on the diagnosed cause of your condition, and potentially the severity of it – but they may include the following:
Fertility Medications: Medications such as Clomid or Letrozole may be prescribed to stimulate ovulation in women.
Ovarian Rejuvenation: Depending on the cause of your condition, this innovative therapy can help to increase your egg reserve and ovarian health.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): Techniques such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be recommended to help overcome fertility challenges.
Lifestyle Changes: Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and managing stress, can improve fertility outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Secondary Infertility
Is secondary infertility more common than overall infertility?
Secondary infertility is actually just as common as primary infertility.
Why is secondary infertility so common?
There may be a range of reasons that secondary infertility is as common as overall infertility – because it can be caused by age, previous pregnancy complications and more, there are simply more reasons that becoming pregnant and staying pregnant can be more difficult the second time.
