Primary infertility is described as not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying if you are 35 or younger, or after 6 months if you are older than 35. Secondary infertility is when a couple has had at least one child, is trying to get pregnant again, but doesn’t conceive after at least one year of trying. At NCCRM infertility center Cary, we understand the range of emotions a couple might feel when dealing with secondary infertility – sadness, hopelessness, confusion, frustration, and even guilt. Whether you’ve been formally diagnosed with secondary infertility, or are navigating early troubles with getting pregnant again, this is a safe place to learn more about it.
What Causes Secondary Infertility?
Though this doesn’t make it any easier to cope with, you should know that in the vast majority of infertility cases, it typically isn’t your fault, and that NCCRM infertility center Cary can help you find evidence-based solutions that may help you successfully conceive. Both primary and secondary infertility often share the same causes. Those causes include:
- Male infertility due to low or absent sperm count, problems with sperm shape, or problems with sperm movement
- Problems with ovulation, whether irregular ovulation or anovulation
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Recurrent miscarriages
- Immunological issues, including problems with natural killer cells or anti-sperm antibodies
- Hostile cervical mucus
- Problems with the endometrium
- Adhesions or uterine scarring
Risk Factors
The biggest question in the minds of those who experience secondary infertility is why conception successfully happened before, but isn’t happening this time around. Secondary infertility can happen simply because things are different now than they were before. For example:
- You are older now.
- You are with a new partner now.
- You have an underlying fertility problem that has worsened.
- You have gained weight since the last time you conceived.
- You have a new health problem.
- Your last pregnancy or birth caused a fertility problem.
Seek Help With NCCRM Infertility Center Cary
If you are under the age of 35, you should seek help after a year of trying to conceive with no luck and if you are over 35, you should seek help after 6 months of trying. Also, you should not put off seeking help if you have experienced two consecutive miscarriages. Treatments for secondary infertility at NCCRM infertility center Cary are the same as for primary infertility, and may include fertility drugs, IUI, IVF, or laparoscopic surgery to repair blocked fallopian tubes or to remove fibroids or endometriosis deposits. Contact NCCRM today to speak with one of our infertility specialists and set up a consultation today!
