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Archive for the ‘secondary fertility’ Category

Secondary Infertility – Why Is It So Tough on Families?

Monday, April 18th, 2011

For couples who are without any children and who are trying to become pregnant, it can be difficult to understand why partners facing secondary infertility* are so upset.

(*Secondary infertility is, quite simply, infertility after having successfully conceived a child or children.)

 The truth of the matter is that whether or not you have a household full of children or you’ve been relegated to caring for furry, four-legged “kids”, infertility can still be emotionally difficult.

If you’ve been having issues getting pregnant even though you’ve been pregnant before, it’s time to see a reproductive health specialist to talk about secondary infertility.  Stop listening to the negative people who say you’re “selfish” to want more children; if having a larger family is your goal, it’s reasonable to find out why you’re not conceiving naturally.

As for the reasons behind secondary infertility, there are numerous possibilities to explain the problem.  Some, like ovulation issues, are relatively easy to address.  Others, like the case of a woman who has entered into menopause earlier than expected, may require medical action.

Regardless, it’s important to recognize that secondary infertility is a condition that a) can be addressed and b) shouldn’t be ignored if the couple truly wants more kids.

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What You Need to Know about Secondary Infertility

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Secondary infertility isn’t something that most people used to talk about; after all, if you’ve been able to conceive once, shouldn’t you be able to do so again?  The answer, of course, is “no”.  Fortunately, the media is finally shedding light on this subject that causes so many couples pain and confusion.

Foremost, it’s important to understand that there can be a number of reasons for secondary infertility, such as:

1)  If a woman who has conceived in the past is now trying to conceive with a different partner, he may have undiagnosed fertility issues.

2)  If a woman conceived several years ago, she may now be at a point in her life when it’s difficult for her body to have a baby naturally.

3)  If a man or woman has experienced health issues (e.g., cancer treatments, serious weight loss/gain), he or she may have compromised fertility.

So what can be done about secondary infertility?

First, it’s important to acknowledge it.  If conception hasn’t occurred in 6-12 months of trying, going to a fertility specialist could be the best possible move.

Secondly, it’s critical to understand that it’s not anyone’s “fault”.  It simply is a medical fact that you’re having trouble conceiving.

Finally, it’s not a sign that you’ll never have children.  In fact, here at RSI we’ve been able to help couples dealing with secondary infertility have more babies.

Fertility Issues after Giving Birth

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

tn_img_6027A recent article from the UK’s Birmingham Post did an excellent job of explaining why women who have been able to conceive naturally without fertility treatments may one day find themselves dealing with infertility.

In the story, the author discusses the experiences of Sarah Jessica Parker, the Hollywood star who recently  discovered that she was no longer able to become pregnant even though she had conceived without problems previously. 

The phenomenon, “secondary infertility,” can happen for a number of reasons including the age of the woman, a switch in partners and potential medical problems.  Regardless of the “whys”, it can still be a devastating experience for any couple who assumed they would be able to naturally conceive.

The upshot, though, is that there are alternatives for women who want to have children, including fertility treatments.  Although becoming pregnant may take a bit longer than expected, in many cases, it can still be a reality.