Having difficulty in conceiving a second child? Here is all you need to know about secondary infertility

Couples who fail to achieve a successful pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse, can term this as infertility. There are essentially two types of infertility: primary and secondary. Primary Infertility is when a couple has never conceived.  While this is a widely known and accepted fact, but most people are quite ignorant about Secondary infertility, which is the incapability to get pregnant after previous pregnancy regardless of the outcome (abortion/ live birth). This can include a range of challenging emotions such as sadness, hopelessness, confusion, frustration, and even guilt amongst couples.

Whether one has been formally diagnosed with secondary infertility, or are experiencing early predicaments with getting pregnant again, this is a pressing matter which people should be aware of to handle the challenges associated with it in a better way.

There is a lot of diseases and conditions, that can trigger Secondary infertility. There is a long list of diseases and conditions as well as the frustrating unexplained infertility catchall that can cause issues. But, before diving deep, it is important to know that both women and men can contribute to infertility. Research shows that about one-third of cases originate in women and about one-third originate in men and in the remaining one-third, the cause is due to a combination of factors that are still unknown.

What causes secondary infertility?

Primary and secondary infertility often share similar causes, and the most important thing to understand and accept is that, in the vast majority of cases, infertility is not anyone’s fault. Though this doesn’t make it easier to cope with the impasse, it can help couples to feel more empowered to find evidence-based solutions that may help them to conceive successfully.

Below are a few most of the common causes of infertility in general, which usually relate to secondary infertility:

Impaired sperm production, function or delivery in men.

Fallopian tube damage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis and uterine conditions in women.

Complications related to prior pregnancy or surgery.

Risk factor changes for you or your partner, such as age, weight and use of certain medications.

Treatments for secondary infertility

If someone is younger than 35 and has frequent, unprotected sex but can’t conceive even after a year, it is advisable to have medical intervention. Earlier evaluation is recommended in case a woman is 35 years or older or she has other infertility risk factors such as infrequent periods or endometriosis. Basis criticality, couples should consider medical evaluations, as doctors or fertility consultants can help determine whether there is a pressing issue that requires urgent intervention.

If one has previously conceived easily, this condition might feel scarier and unfamiliar and complicated too, however, the treatment for even this kind of infertility first starts with identifying its cause and then going ahead with required treatment options such as medical assistance, surgery and assisted reproduction (ART) if required.

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