Looking to grow your family after already having a child previously does not guarantee that future pregnancies will come easily.
When there is a struggle to conceive naturally after already having a child, this is called secondary infertility. Secondary infertility is a recognised medical condition, where, after having an initial successful pregnancy, there is then a difficulty in conceiving.
It's more common than many people realise, and it can be just as emotionally and medically complex as any other fertility challenge.
What Is Secondary Infertility?
Secondary infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after having previously achieved a successful pregnancy and birth.
Many people experiencing secondary infertility were able to get pregnant naturally in the past, but now face challenges conceiving again without medical assistance.
Primary Infertility: refers to difficulty conceiving for someone who hasn't previously been pregnant.
What Are the Signs of Secondary Infertility?
Secondary infertility does not always have obvious symptoms. In many cases, the only sign is simply that conception is not happening despite regular, unprotected intercourse.
If you think you are experiencing secondary infertility, an early consultation with a GP can help identify and address the cause to improve the chances of successful conception.
Causes of Secondary Infertility
It is important to understand that both partners should be investigated, regardless of previous fertility. The cause of secondary infertility may have developed or changed since the last pregnancy.
One of the reasons secondary infertility can be difficult to diagnose is that there can be multiple factors that are co-existing to cause the infertility.
A thorough assessment of both partners is the first step to identifying the cause of infertility.
Female Causes of Secondary Infertility
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women of reproductive age, estimated to affect around 1 in 10 women in the UK. PCOS can impair fertility by disrupting the regular release of eggs. However, it is treatable, and many people with PCOS go on to conceive.
Tubal Damage: Damaged fallopian tubes can result from pelvic inflammatory disease, surgery, including caesarean section or appendectomy, an ectopic pregnancy, or endometriosis. Tubal damage can significantly reduce the chances of natural conception. In such cases, surgical options may be considered to repair or bypass damaged tubes.
Endometriosis: Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women and is associated with fertility difficulties. Endometriosis can recur or progress between pregnancies, so it may not have been there or as severe during the first pregnancy.
Ovarian Reserve Decline: The number and quality of remaining eggs naturally decline with age, and around the mid-30s, this decline accelerates. Even if the time since the last pregnancy has been relatively short, a meaningful decline in ovarian reserve is possible.
Male Causes of Secondary Infertility
Sperm Quality: Sperm health, motility, morphology, and count. Sperm health is one of the main factors in male fertility, and poor performance in any of these areas can significantly reduce...
