Secondary infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant or to carry a baby to term after having given birth to an offspring previously. It remains a rarely discussed fertility challenge in many public forums today, yet many couples worldwide suffer, albeit in silence, from this medical condition.
According to survey-based reviews of couples diagnosed with secondary infertility, one in six (around 16.6 per cent) women fails to conceive for the second time, even after a year of trying.
Dr. Laura Melado, IVF Specialist, IVI Middle East Fertility Clinic, said: “Figures show that there is no significant difference in the incidence of primary fertility, which refers to couples trying for the first time, or secondary infertility. We have also seen several cases of secondary infertility since many people suffer in silence rather than proactively seeking medical guidance.”
Dr. Melado explained that some of the possible causes of secondary infertility are impaired sperm production, function or delivery in men, and fallopian tube damage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis and uterine conditions in women. Health, weight, age, lifestyle and medication are all considered to be contributing factors as well. For some, complications from a previous pregnancy may also lead to secondary infertility.
“Just as in the cases of primary infertility, we recommend that couples should seek medical help after a year of trying to become pregnant again. For couples trying to conceive after the age of 35, a consultation should be considered six months after trying. It is best to know what’s causing secondary infertility and from there, the doctors can make recommendations on how to proceed given the patients’ present health condition."
