Rising cases of secondary infertility among couples worry healthcare experts

Dr Mandavi Rai

The cases of secondary infertility are surging due to lifestyle factors, delayed medical attention, underlying health issues, and rising stress levels.

What is Secondary Infertility

Secondary infertility is when couples struggle to conceive after already having a child. It is on the rise, according to the expert. Many couples delay seeking medical help, assuming that natural conception will happen again, but this delay often worsens the condition.

Timely diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and access to Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) are crucial in addressing the growing problem and helping families achieve their dream of parenthood.

A Case Study

A 34-year-old woman, Naina Shah (name changed) and her 37-year-old husband Nikhil Shah (name changed), both working in the IT sector, conceived their first child naturally, but struggled for over two years to have a second baby. After evaluation, the woman was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and the husband showed borderline low sperm motility. With lifestyle changes, medications, and assisted reproductive techniques, the couple successfully conceived through IVF. They are proud parents of a baby girl now, who was born in July.

Many other couples like them are still battling secondary infertility and struggling in silence. Timely diagnosis and treatment made their parenthood journey possible again.

Causes of Secondary Infertility

Unlike primary infertility, Secondary Infertility often comes as a surprise to couples who assume they will not face challenges the second time.

The causes can be age-related decline in fertility, particularly in women over 35. Hormonal imbalances such as thyroid disorders or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Reproductive health issues like blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, or low sperm count.

Lifestyle factors such as stress, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, and poor diet. Previous pregnancy complications or untreated infections can also lead to a surge in cases.

The common symptom is the inability to conceive despite trying for a year (or six months if the woman is over 35). Women may also experience irregular periods, pelvic pain, or abnormal bleeding, while men may face sexual health issues or low sperm quality.

It can cause stress for couples, often leading to anxiety, depression, and relationship strain. Social pressures may further add to the psychological burden. Medically, untreated underlying conditions like PCOS or endometriosis may worsen over time, making conception even harder.

Early Medical Evaluation Important

Early medical evaluation is essential. The expert will do fertility testing for both partners, including hormonal analysis, semen testing, and imaging studies. Depending on the cause, treatments may include lifestyle modifications in the form of diet and exercise, stress management, medication, minimally invasive procedures, or assisted reproductive techniques such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

In many cases, timely intervention improves success rates. So, couples shouldn’t delay medical advice if they face challenges conceiving a second time. With timely treatment and the availability of advanced ART, secondary infertility can often be managed successfully, giving hope to couples struggling with this condition.

Dr Mandavi Rai is Senior Fertility & IVF Specialist
at Motherhood Fertility & IVF, Noida