Secondary infertility is when you have an unsuccessful pregnancy after previously having a normal pregnancy without any complications or even carry a pregnancy to term.

Age plays an important role in fertility. Women younger than 35 years of age that has been trying to conceive for a year need a medical consultation on how to proceed with a successful pregnancy. In ages over 35 is best to seek medical help in 6 months for secondary infertility diagnosis. [1]

Secondary infertility can affect both partners and can be multifactorial.

• Male factor, such as sperm
• Changing of partner with risk factor such as age, weight or medication
• Problems with fallopian tubes
• Problem with ovulation
• Endometriosis, Adenomyosis
• Fibroids that may affect the cavity of the uterus
• Any complications or surgeries from previous pregnancies
• Sexually transmitted disease (STD’s)
• Lifestyle (like consumption of alcohol, smoking cigarettes)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Secondary infertility can be as common as primary infertility. Women over 40 years of age the number and quality of eggs diminishes. Any kind of infections, surgeries and damage to the fallopian tubes or uterus can play an important role in conception [2].

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition where hormones can cause menstrual irregularities.

Endometriosis can also affect fertility and is described as a condition where endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus body.

Weight gain (infertility increases by 10%) and lifestyle changes can lead to ovarian dysfunction such as smoking cigarettes or high consumption of alcohol [3].

Men can also be affected by infertility due to medical reasons (low testosterone levels, enlarged prostate, late-onset hypogonadism), lifestyle factors and hormonal imbalances that may affect the quality and quantity of sperm.

Seek professional help and schedule an exam. Early consultation with your healthcare provider is always recommended for the best evaluation.

Certain tests need to be performed for a complete diagnosis of secondary infertility such as:

• Semen analysis
• Blood hormonal levels
• Transvaginal ultrasound
• A hysterosalpingogram for evaluation of uterus and fallopian tubes.

Treatment options are available and are similar to primary infertility.

• Medications for inducing ovulation
• Intrauterine insemination, meaning placing sperm through a small catheter inside the uterus to increase the chances of fertilization
• Surgery for repairing any kind uterine complications (polyps, fibroids, scar tissue) or any male related complications such as testicular varicocele.
• In vitro fertilization, which is a method of egg-retrieval and fertilization with sperms in lab conditions.

Secondary infertility can be corrected through treatment which best suits your needs and yes, you can carry a child to birth. Although infertility primary or secondary is a condition that plays a huge impact and a high emotional stress in couples it is advised to seek professional help for support through groups or through a mental health professional that can give you the guidance for a successful pregnancy [2] [4].

References:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/expert-answers/secondary-infertility/faq-20058272
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21139-secondary-infertility
3. https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/what-to-know-about-secondary-infertility
4. https://resolve.org/learn/infertility-101/underlying-causes/secondary-infertility/