Dr Anubha Singh is a Medical Director and IVF Expert at Shantah Fertility Centre, New Delhi
Couples struggling to conceive for a second time are often left out of the infertility conversation, but it can be just as disheartening and frustrating. Incidences of secondary infertility are growing rapidly in number and are not much talked about. Secondary infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant a second time, following the birth of one or more biological children.
Causes
In women
In men
Approximately, 10.5 per cent women have reported to experience secondary infertility. If you notice these causes of secondary infertility, you must immediately consult with a specialist. Remember that you are not alone. More and more people are now facing the problem of secondary infertility in India and, therefore, it is better to be informed.
Komal Shukla, who is in her mid 30’ tried for a second baby and she could not conceive due to low ovarian reserve. “I didn’t realise that chances of getting pregnant reduce with age,” says Komal, now 39 and pregnant with her second child after two rounds of IVF treatment.
Secondary infertility can be very frustrating and confusing for a couple who got pregnant quickly in the past. I have seen a lot of cases recently of secondary infertility. I would say inactivity in women along with wrong eating habits, increases chances of primary infertility as well as secondary infertility. With urban lifestyle and dependency on fast food adding to the problem.
If one had their first child at the age of 35, and they want to try out for a second child at 36 and above, it can be a bit challenging because this is a time where their fertility has naturally declined significantly.
Also, blaming only women is not appropriate. Age of the male partner, men with BMIs over 30, which is considered obese, have a lower sperm count and negatively impacted fertility overall.
According to a study titled Fertility: assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems, published in the March 2013, edition of NICE Clinical Guideline. London; about 15 per cent couples with unexplained fertility conceive naturally within a year.
Couples need to plan their pregnancies in a timely manner in order to stave off secondary infertility. They should avoid spacing out kids for more than three years. Women should preserve their eggs if they are thinking of delaying parenting. Couples should keep trying since 35 per cent still have a chance to conceive naturally within two years. If a woman is under the age of 30 years, she has a higher chance of conceiving than a woman aged 30 years or more. Let’s not forget that age is an important factor and predictor of successful natural conception.
The doctors would offer you treatments on the basis of the causes of secondary infertility. The treatment for secondary infertility ranges from infertility medications to intrauterine insemination (IUI) or artificial insemination (IVF).