Secondary Infertility

Secondary infertility is a common problem that can be heartbreaking for many couples. Once you have had a child, you normally think that getting pregnant again should be no problem; after all, haven’t you proven your fertility?

Secondary infertility accounts for six out of ten cases of infertility, and is used to describe the phenomenon of couples who can’t get pregnant or can’t carry a baby to term after having successful pregnancies in the past.

It is thought that as many as 3.5 million women in the U.S. experience secondary infertility. Secondary infertility appears to be on the rise; statistics show that the past two decades has seen an increase of 600,000 more women reporting problems with secondary infertility.

Once Fertile, Always Fertile?

Those couples who are affected by secondary infertility are less likely to seek out infertility treatment than those who are experiencing primary infertility (which is when a couple who has had no successful pregnancies fails to conceive after trying for twelve months). The reason for this failure by secondary infertile couples to seek treatment may be the common misconception that ‘once fertile, always fertile’ applies to them. Further, many medical professions have very little training when it comes to issues involving secondary infertility, and they continue to perpetuate the misinformation.

It is common for many couples to just keep trying to get pregnant even though there are underlying issues preventing the pregnancy from taking place. Oftentimes, this continual patience wears thin, and many couples who have secondary infertility issues will become frustrated and seek out a fertility specialist – which is when they find out about a problem that could have been corrected years earlier!

Reasons for Secondary Infertility

Many of the causes of primary infertility are also the causes for secondary infertility. Couples may find that since the last pregnancy, one partner had an infection, gained weight, or started eating things that aren’t healthy for them – affecting their fertility. Also, as we age, eggs become of lower quality and sperm counts may decrease. In fact, abnormalities with ejaculate or sperm are often to blame for secondary infertility. From ovulation problems and endometriosis to uterine fibroids and pelvic adhesions, the causes of secondary infertility are often treatable – and many couples find that after just a few short months they are able to conceive naturally once their issues are resolved.

Secondary Infertility – When to Seek a Specialist

If you are having trouble conceiving, a specialist can do an extensive investigation of your medical history and lifestyle, and also do a physical examination and run diagnostic tests to determine the cause o your secondary infertility. In general, if you have been having sex on a regular basis for more than a year, the time to see a fertility specialist is now. Older couples (those 35 and older) might want to see a specialist even sooner. However, if you have been having irregular periods that are especially painful, have experienced two or more miscarriages, note an unusual increase in vaginal discharge, or have burning vaginal discharge, or if your partner is experiencing painful ejaculations, impotence, or a decrease in sexual interest, you should consult with a fertility specialist even sooner. These are strong indicators that an underlying medical problem must be addressed before you will be able to conceive.

Secondary Infertility and Your Relationships

Unlike those couples who have never had a child, those couples going through secondary infertility find it hard to get support from their network of friends and family. Secondary infertility couples may be criticized for trying to have another child, or be made to feel like they are ungrateful for the children they already have. It is important that you discuss the issue of secondary infertility with your support network so that they understand what being able to conceive means to the two of your as a couple. Secondary infertility is also stressful on the relationship that the two of you share, and people have different ways of dealing with this issue.

The best course of action is to keep the lines of communication open and be there to support one another. You’re in this together, so handling your secondary infertility problem as a team will help you overcome this obstacle that’s been thrown in your path.