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Top Reasons for Secondary Infertility

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

Secondary infertility is the inability to become pregnant again after giving birth to a baby earlier. Another situation is, when you get pregnant but are not able to carry a baby to full-term. The struggle to conceive again comes as a shock as you have already been pregnant before and are unable to understand why it is difficult the second time?

Contents

Secondary infertility more common than primary infertility
Who are at risk of secondary infertility?
Advanced Age
Weight issues
Scarring, adhesions and blocked tubes
Past Infections
Other medical conditions
Male infertility

Let us discuss in length about secondary infertility and its risk factors.

Secondary infertility more common than primary infertility

Secondary infertility is more common than primary infertility because when in late 30s or even 40s, you are trying to conceive, your fertility starts to decline.

Who are at risk of secondary infertility?

Below are some of the factors that are considered to be the risk factors when it comes to secondary infertility.

Advanced Age

Women who are trying to conceive for the second time are naturally older than the time they became first-time moms. With delayed first pregnancy and trying to have a second child after a gap, there will be age-related issues. The reproductive life span for a woman is 46 years.

Weight issues

Being overweight brings hormonal imbalance and hence, disrupts ovulation. This makes women more at risk of secondary infertility.

Scarring, adhesions and blocked tubes

Scarring or adhesions on reproductive organs can cause difficulty in conceiving. They can block one or more fallopian tubes and not allow the sperm to enter the tubes and fertilize the egg. With surgery, these issues can be cleared and getting pregnant won’t be hard. Another option available is to go for IVF where the embryo is directly placed into the uterus, avoiding the blocked tubes route.

Past Infections

Infections that you had earlier can make it hard for an embryo to implant in the uterus. For example, infection which has resulted in Chronic Endometriosis, that has severely inflamed the lining of the uterus.

Other medical conditions

Endometriosis, Polycystic ovary syndrome and uterine fibroids can increase the risk of infertility.

Male infertility

Low sperm count, certain medications, being overweight can hinder getting pregnant again.

Many reasons which cause secondary infertility are similar to the ones that cause primary infertility.

So, is all hope lost?

With timely medical evaluations, not further delaying pregnancy, keeping overall health in good shape and going for treatments like IVF or any other ARTs as per the diagnosis and doctor’s recommendation, you have a good chance of getting pregnant again and being parents for the second time.

Meanwhile, accept how you feel, connect with your spouse, and help each other emotionally, spend good quality time with your child and seek support from parents, other family members or friends, who genuinely understand how you are feeling and are there to help you talk it out.

Explore More Articles on Fertility

Causes of Infertility in Men & Women

Top Tips to Maximize Your Chances of Fertility

Ovulation and Your Fertility Window

Impact of Sleep on Fertility

Sperm Health & Fertility: Everything You Need to Know

The Impact of Stress on Fertility

How Do You Get Pregnant?

Lifestyle Choices & Infertility: What You should Know

Exercise & Fertility: Is There a Link?

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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