Common Misconceptions About Secondary Infertility
Whilst lots of people are aware of primary infertility, many don’t realise that secondary infertility is something that couples also experience. Simply put, secondary infertility is where someone has had a successful pregnancy in the past, but they’re now struggling to conceive again. Secondary infertility can affect anyone and there isn’t always a reason for this type of infertility.
If you are having difficulty conceiving after having a baby and you’re worried about secondary infertility, understandably you may be tempted to research this fertility issue. Unfortunately, there is a lot of incorrect information on the internet about secondary infertility though and you may worry yourself unnecessarily when you don’t use reliable sources for information. So, to help anyone who is concerned about secondary infertility, below we have debunked some of the most common myths and misconceptions we have come across.
“Secondary infertility is only a women’s problem”
So many people assume that when a couple is struggling to conceive, the problem lies with the female partner. However, this isn’t always the case and male infertility can also cause a couple’s secondary infertility. For example, the male partner may be experiencing issues with their sperm, such as; low count, morphology and motility, or a sexually transmitted infection. It’s beneficial to book a couples fertility test to learn more about both partners’ current fertility.
“You must have an underlying fertility problem”
Sometimes, it may be the case that an underlying fertility problem is the cause of secondary fertility and you were lucky to have a successful pregnancy in the past, but there are also a number of other reasons why couples experience secondary infertility. Again, a fertility test can help you highlight any current fertility issues. Other causes of secondary infertility include; problems caused by a previous pregnancy and new health problems since the last pregnancy.
“Secondary infertility only affects couples with one child”
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about secondary infertility and simply put, it doesn’t matter how many healthy children you have had in the past, you can still experience secondary infertility. Whilst it is quite common for this fertility problem to affect couples with only one child, it can also affect couples with two, three or more children. Unfortunately, secondary infertility can suddenly and unexpectedly affect couples who are trying to grow their family.
“You’re experiencing secondary infertility because you’re older”
Whilst both female fertility and male fertility declines with age, this isn’t always the cause of secondary infertility. As mentioned above, there are lots of different causes of secondary infertility and it can impact couples of all ages. It’s important to be aware that it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of this fertility issue too. After conducting different fertility tests, the result may determine that your secondary infertility is unexplained.
“Fertility treatments aren’t as successful for secondary infertility”
Thankfully, there are lots of different fertility treatments that can help couples who are struggling to conceive naturally and this is another huge misconception. Lots of fertility treatments still have brilliant success rates amongst couples with secondary infertility and a fertility specialist will be able to provide you with some tailored advice for your individual circumstances.
Once any fertility problems have been identified, the best treatments can then be used to help you conceive. Even if you have unexplained infertility, a fertility consultant can still help to increase your chances of having another baby with treatments such as; IUI, IVF or IMSI.
Speaking to a fertility specialist about secondary infertility
All in all, it’s fair to say that you shouldn’t believe everything you come across on the internet about secondary infertility and if you’re having trouble conceiving, it’s really beneficial to speak to a fertility specialist. Here at London IVF and Genetics Centre, we can discuss infertility with you in more detail and answer any questions you may have.
We also offer a number of fertility services, from private fertility tests to fertility treatments, and we can help you should you wish to start an assisted fertility journey. We can provide you with any additional information you may require about getting pregnant with the assistance of fertility treatments and we will work closely with you to design a treatment plan that is personalised to your circumstances, wishes and beliefs. We sincerely care about your outcome and we will do all we can to help you achieve another successful pregnancy.
