Learn about Secondary Infertility and its Treatment

Learn about Secondary Infertility and its Treatment

Secondary infertility is when a has had a child before and is trying to conceive another, but fails to do it even after a year of trying. Secondary fertility is often confusing. When you didn’t have any problem in conceiving the first time, what is the problem now? A lot of people think primary infertility is more common in comparison to secondary infertility. Primary infertility is when a couple hasn’t had any kid.

But the reality is half-half

As per the survey of Centre of Disease Control, around 11 percent of the couple who have had a child before experience secondary infertility i.e. around 4 million couples. Couples with secondary infertility should seek help. They should also seek suggestion from their friends, family members, doctors in their fertility struggle. Coping with secondary infertility comes with its own set of challenges.

You have an image of what you want your family to look like. Your child may be requesting for a sibling. So, why not strive for it. Surely the medical causes of secondary infertility aren’t tough to diagnose or treat in comparison to primary infertility.

Causes of secondary infertility

Secondary infertility is caused by similar problems which cause primary infertility. They primarily comprise of:

· Male infertility: It includes low sperm count, problem in the shape of the sperm, issues with the movement of the sperm.

· Ovulation problems: It includes irregular ovulation or no ovulation at all

· Blocked fallopian tubes

· Endometriosis

· Adhesions or scarring

· Endometrium issues

· Fibroids

· Recurrent miscarriage

· Unexplained

Around 1/3rd of the infertility cases occur because of male infertility, another 1/3rd happen because of female infertility, and last 1/3rd take place because unexplained reasons.

So, why can’t you conceive this time?

The big question is why aren’t you able to get pregnant this second time, when you didn’t have any problem in the first pregnancy. Some of the reasons may be:

You have grown older: If you have had the first child before 35 and you are trying for the second at 38, then your fertility has significantly declined.

You are with someone one: If your new partner has been diagnosed infertile, then you may have problem in having a second baby.

Or

An underlying fertility issue has come up: It is possible that you have had endometriosis or PCOS which have worsened with time.

You have gained weight: Fertility is impacted by weight gain. Being underweight can lead to ovulation troubles in women and poor sperm health in men.

A new health problem has risen: You may have developed diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid or depression. They impact your fertility and require treatment.

Your last pregnancy may have caused a fertility issue: Multiple D&C, pelvic infection may lead to blocked fallopian tubes and uterine scarring.

Simply no reason: Many a times, no one knows why your fertility issues occur and prevent you from conceiving.

When to seek help?

When to go for secondary fertility, if you don’t conceive even after a year of trying. If you are above the age of 35, you should seek help after 6 months. And regardless of what you age is, if you have had two recurrent miscarriages, then you should seek help.

Do not delay in getting your doctor’s help. Some infertility causes worsen with time. Delaying may lower the odds of your pregnancy success. The fact that you have been pregnant in the past doesn’t assures that you will conceive again.

Testing for secondary infertility

Testing for secondary infertility is similar primary infertility. Both the man and his woman should be checked. If you have a new partner, then also you should undergo an infertility test.

Treatments for secondary infertility

The secondary infertility treatment includes same options as primary infertility. They are given below:

· Fertility medications, one of them commonly prescribed by the doctors is Clomid

· Injectable drugs called gonadotropins

· IUI

· IVF

· Surgery, mainly laparoscopy to treat blocked fallopian tubes, to get rid of fibroids and clear endometriosis deposits.

As you look out for a solution for your fertility issues, do not forget to seek suggestions, advices from your friends and family members. Even if insist that you should take time and wait to conceive, do not wait. Make sure if you have spent over a year trying to get pregnant, and it hasn’t occurred, then something is wrong and you need treatment for that.

You can consult a doctor and proceed as directed to help you have the child you want. So, go ahead and plan your secondary pregnancy now!