About Surrogacy

Understanding Secondary Infertility


Key Points:

A couple experiences secondary infertility when they have had one successful pregnancy but struggle to get pregnant and carry a baby to term again.

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Before we get into what secondary infertility is, we want to quickly acknowledge that you can contact a surrogacy professional today to learn about your family-building options. But, continue reading to learn more about secondary infertility and your fertility options right now.

What is Secondary Infertility?

The Mayo Clinic defines secondary infertility as when a woman in a couple cannot get pregnant or carry a baby to term after already having a child without fertility assistance.

Although secondary infertility is similar to primary infertility, these two types of infertility differ.

How is Secondary Infertility Different than Primary Infertility?

People who experience secondary infertility have already had at least one child. Those who experience primary infertility cannot conceive after having regular, unprotected sex for a year. If you’re over 35, secondary infertility is diagnosed after six months. Secondary infertility is just as common as primary infertility.

Causes of Secondary Infertility

Quite a few things can cause secondary infertility in men and women.

Generally, the following things cause secondary infertility in women:

And secondary infertility in men is often caused by:

Secondary Infertility Treatment

Doctors are often able to treat secondary infertility in several ways. The following are some of the most common treatments for secondary infertility in men and women.

Medications for Secondary Infertility

Doctors often prescribe clomiphene and letrozole to induce ovulation in women. A doctor may suggest drug treatment to improve semen quality or suggest antioxidants and anti-aging supplements to increase male fertility.

Surgery for Secondary Infertility

A doctor may suggest surgery to treat secondary infertility for women. Surgery can treat the following issues:

A doctor also can treat testicular varicocele in men.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI happens in a doctor’s office or fertility clinic. During IUI, sperm is placed directly into a woman’s uterus. You can use your partner’s sperm or donor sperm.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

IVF is a multi-step process that involves the man and woman in a couple.

You can go through multiple rounds of IVF. People also use sperm and egg donors during IVF.

Choosing Surrogacy to Grow Your Family

It isn’t easy to determine that it’s time to move from secondary infertility to another family-building option like surrogacy. You’ll likely feel a range of emotions, like grief and anger, which are normal.

If you’re not ready to start your surrogacy journey after experiencing secondary infertility, that’s OK. You can talk to a surrogacy professional to get references for infertility counselors and support group help.  

If you are ready to consider other family building options, surrogacy can be a beautiful way to start or grow your family.

DID YOU KNOW?

Surrogates aren't genetically related to the baby because the embryo transferred into the surrogate's uterus is created from the genetic material of the intended parents or donors, not the surrogate herself.

Surrogacy Basics

Surrogacy involves you (intended parents), a surrogate, and a surrogacy agency. Although people can pursue surrogacy independently, working with a surrogacy agency is very beneficial.

The following are some of the advantages you can experience when you work with a surrogacy agency:

Next Steps Toward Becoming a Parent

If you’re experiencing secondary infertility, reach out to your doctor to discuss possible treatment. Many people have been in your position and have continued to build their families through fertility treatment or surrogacy.

Ready to start your surrogacy journey? Contact us today.

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