Dealing with Secondary Infertility
Secondary infertility means difficulty becoming pregnant or carrying a pregnancy after a prior pregnancy. It can affect people with or without a previous uncomplicated birth.
When to seek an evaluation
Common clinical guidance recommends an infertility evaluation after 12 months of trying for people under 35, after 6 months for people 35 or older, and sooner when the person is over 40 or has a known condition or concerning history. A clinician may recommend a different timeline for an individual situation.
What an evaluation may consider
A qualified clinician may review ovulation, ovarian reserve, sperm factors, the uterus and fallopian tubes, prior pregnancies, medication, medical history, and other case-specific factors. PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, age, and changes in either partner's health can be relevant, but a blog post cannot identify the cause.
Treatment is individual
Possible next steps depend on the evaluation and may include timed intercourse, medication, surgery, IUI, IVF, donor eggs or sperm, gestational surrogacy, or another path. Diet and exercise may support general health but do not guarantee conception or replace diagnosis and treatment.
Patriot Conceptions is a surrogacy and egg-donation agency. A fertility clinic owns diagnosis and treatment decisions; the agency can explain its program and coordinate an appropriate referral or handoff.
Surrogacy is a legal and medical-adjacent topic. This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice.
Reviewed by Patriot Conceptions Editorial Team. Last reviewed Jul 15, 2020.
Dealing with Secondary Infertility
Secondary infertility means difficulty becoming pregnant or carrying a pregnancy after a prior pregnancy. It can affect people with or without a previous uncomplicated birth.
When to seek an evaluation
Common clinical guidance recommends an infertility evaluation after 12 months of trying for people under 35, after 6 months for people 35 or older, and sooner when the person is over 40 or has a known condition or concerning history. A clinician may recommend a different timeline for an individual situation.
What an evaluation may consider
A qualified clinician may review ovulation, ovarian reserve, sperm factors, the uterus and fallopian tubes, prior pregnancies, medication, medical history, and other case-specific factors. PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, age, and changes in either partner's health can be relevant, but a blog post cannot identify the cause.
Treatment is individual
Possible next steps depend on the evaluation and may include timed intercourse, medication, surgery, IUI, IVF, donor eggs or sperm, gestational surrogacy, or another path. Diet and exercise may support general health but do not guarantee conception or replace diagnosis and treatment.
Patriot Conceptions is a surrogacy and egg-donation agency. A fertility clinic owns diagnosis and treatment decisions; the agency can explain its program and coordinate an appropriate referral or handoff.
For your own case, confirm legal and medical details with your attorney and clinic.
Reviewed by Patriot Conceptions Editorial Team. Last reviewed Jul 15, 2020.