Secondary infertility

Secondary infertility is the inability to become pregnant — despite engaging in regular unprotected intercourse — following the birth of one or more biological children who were born without the aid of fertility treatment or medications.

In reality, a number of things can cause secondary infertility, including advanced maternal age, damaged or blocked Fallopian tubes, problems with ovulation, endometriosis, and problems with sperm production.

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In vitro fertilization (IVF)
Ovulatory disorder
Advanced maternal age
Recurrent miscarriage
Male factor infertility

Indicators of secondary infertility

Once diagnostic testing is complete, your physician will review your treatment options. Many patients are surprised to learn that IVF is not their only treatment option. However, IVF would be the first line of treatment for patients with the following conditions:

  • Maternal age: One of the leading causes of secondary infertility is the female partner’s age. Over time, the quality and quantity of eggs decrease. The difference in time between conceiving the first child and trying to conceive again can be affected by egg quantity and quality.
  • Internal complications: For some people, there may have been complications from their previous pregnancy and/or delivery that could have affected the uterus and the ability of an embryo to implant and grow. If infection occurred and went untreated, adhesions may have developed within the uterus or around the Fallopian tubes. For other people, irregular or absent menstrual cycles can often reveal an underlying ovulation disorder, even if the previous conception occurred.
  • Recurrent miscarriage: Some people may experience recurrent miscarriage — defined as two or more consecutive, spontaneous pregnancy losses. It is often unknown why miscarriages occur, even when a previous pregnancy has been successful.
  • Male factor infertility: As with female partners, male aging can have an effect on reproductive health, potentially affecting sperm quality and quantity. But while these changes may be due to age, they could also be due to new medications or lifestyle changes like weight gain or a new smoking habit (which can also affect female fertility).
  • Weight gain: Weight gain can have a significant impact on the ability to conceive, sometimes leading to ovulatory dysfunction or reduced sperm quality.

Testing and treatment

When you visit a fertility specialist, you will begin with a standard infertility work-up to determine a diagnosis.

As with other types of infertility, many patients with secondary infertility are able to start with basic treatment options. In some instances though, a couple may need in vitro fertilization (IVF) or donor egg treatment to overcome secondary infertility.

FAQs

Many people who experience secondary infertility can feel surprised, alone, and not know how to share their feelings with their friends and family. You may experience unwelcome reactions from your friends and family who may not understand why you’re so upset because you already have one or more children. It can be very difficult to make sense of these challenges and to stop feeling so distant from everyone around you.

You are not alone, however, and there are support groups and resources available. Shady Grove Fertility has free support groups that meet regularly, as well as an expansive Facebook community. We encourage you to take advantage of the free resources in order to connect with others who are experiencing similar situations and feelings as you.

Success stories from patients with secondary infertility

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How to get started

Shady Grove Fertility has treatment options to help almost everyone build the family of their dreams. And it all starts with one call:

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