For any couple that’s already had one or more children, secondary infertility can an incredible shock to them. The logical thought process is that if a couple accomplished it once, they should be able to do so again. Yet secondary infertility is not an uncommon condition, even in younger couples, and could be the result of a number of different ailments or issues.
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The most commonly cited causes of secondary infertility are also common with primary fertility, and include low sperm count or other semen abnormalities, ovulatory problems, or uterine problems. In other cases the issue may simply lie in some of the finer points of getting pregnant. It’s well documented that many couples go to great lengths to ensure their doing things correctly on their first pregnancy, but that they become lax during subsequent pregnancies, assuming that the extra effort will be unnecessary.
In cases when the secondary infertility is being caused by larger issues, the couple may be able to identify those issues themselves. For example, if there is pain during intercourse, endometriosis could be the issue. If the female is having irregular periods it could be that there’s a complete lack of ovulation. For males, painful ejaculations could indicate the presence of an infection. In cases where the couple can determine the issue themselves, it shouldn’t be difficult to have it verified as to whether or not that is indeed the case and get the condition looked after.
If it doesn’t seem to be a major issue, the couple may simply need to get back to pregnancy basics to overcome their temporary secondary infertility. This would include giving their planned pregnancy the same care and attention to detail they did on their very first pregnancy. This would include optimizing their diet and sleeping patterns, getting plenty of exercise, monitoring the female’s ovulation cycle closely, and more.
In the event both of these scenarios fail, it will be necessary to visit a fertility specialist to attempt to determine the reason or reasons behind the secondary infertility. The specialist will first attempt to determine any changes in your medical history since your last pregnancy, or any major changes in your lifestyle. Barring any conclusive evidence arising from this initial questioning, the specialist will need to put the female through a series of tests. This would likely include a blood test, radiology tests, and a vaginal ultrasound. The male should also have their sperm checked at this point for any abnormalities in count, mobility, etc. These tests should provide the answer to what’s ailing one or both parties and causing the secondary infertility.
If you’d like more information on secondary infertility, as well as primary infertility and just about anything else you could ever need to know about infertility, there are a number of great books on the subject available, such as Pregnancy Miracle. These books could save you a great deal of trouble and worry, and ensure that you get pregnant quickly and easily, be it the first, second, or fifth time.