We all deserve a family where everybody loves each other, and everyone is as happy as they can be. The centers that offer infertility treatment understand this as well – they are aware of the unique goals you have in this regard and the way you envision your family to be. You can always be sure that these clinics will work with you to make your dreams in this regard come true. Once you have had a successful pregnancy you might think that you would fare likewise the second time around. However, this is not how the cookie crumbles. Also, if you are facing such a predicament, you are not alone.
So, what is secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility is a condition where you are unable to carry on with a pregnancy or get pregnant, for that matter, following a previous birth. For such infertility to be classed as such the previous birth must have happened without the help of an infertility treatment such as IVF (in vitro fertilization) or any fertility medication as such. Healthcare providers usually diagnose such infertility when a couple tries anywhere between six months and a year to get pregnant but is unable to achieve that goal.
What are the causes of secondary infertility?
Both aspiring mothers and fathers can suffer from secondary infertility, and this could happen due to several reasons such as the following:
- advanced age of the mother – 35 or older
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- low sperm count or impaired sperm production
- excessive weight
- damaged fallopian tubes
- lifestyle factors such as heavy alcohol consumption and smoking
- endometriosis
- certain medications
- uterine conditions
Secondary infertility is a lot like primary infertility in the sense that doctors are not able to diagnose any reason why it is happening to you. Around 20% of such cases are supposed to be unexplained.
How is secondary infertility treated?
The way secondary infertility is treated is pretty much the same as that of primary infertility. Usually, during such treatment, the doctors work with you to determine the most suitable way of treatment. The three most prominent forms of secondary infertility treatment are injectable or oral fertility medications, IUI (intrauterine insemination), and IVF. The injectable or oral fertility medications trigger your ovarian follicles to release more eggs in one reproductive cycle. In IUI the sperm is put in your uterus for promoting fertilization. In IVF, sperm and eggs are combined outside the body of the mother.
Conclusion
Please know and understand that secondary infertility is a common and real condition that can affect you and cause both your partner and your family a whole lot of disappointment. In case you have been attempting to get pregnant but have been unable to do so it could be helpful if you talked to your doctor about secondary infertility treatment. In some such situations, the doctors would not be able to establish any clear reason for your condition. However, they can always collaborate with you to come up with a treatment plan that would help you add new members to your family the way you wish.