Possibly one of the silliest questions to ask (unless you’re on super solid friendship ground), right after When will you guys have kids? The best answer, we think, is a straightforward You tell me. But secondary infertility is a much-misunderstood aspect of family building – one that, with expert support, is crucial to unpack. 

What do we mean by secondary infertility? Well, in simple definition terms, we’re talking about not being able to get pregnant – or carry a baby to term – after giving birth previously. Secondary infertility is thought to affect around 5 per cent of people in the UK – around one in 20 couples. 

Where do we ‘fit’?

Finding support for secondary infertility can be challenging, from seeking specific medical guidance to working out where you ‘fit’ in the parenting and fertility world. We have a child, but feel alienated from the parenting scene which is dominated by the two plus model. And, we have a child, so don’t feel quite able to connect into the (in)fertility scene, where so many people are struggling to begin their parenting journey. 

Are there any ‘signs’ of secondary infertility we can watch for?

Struggling to conceive again after having your first child can come as a surprise, but it’s more common than you might think – again, one in around 20 couples are thought to be affected.

Pinning down signs and symptoms is tricky, but we’d recommend seeking expert support if you’ve noticed:

• irregular periods
• unusual difficulty in tracking ovulation
• changes in your cycle which weren’t there before

Hormonal shifts, conditions like PCOS or endometriosis, or even health changes since your last pregnancy can play a role. For men, aspects like sperm health can also be a factor. If it’s been six months to a year of trying without success, it might be worth chatting with a fertility specialist to figure out what’s going on and explore your options.

Sorting out (and advocating for) expert support

Dare we say it, but secondary infertility is – from experience – one of the most complex areas of fertility and TTC. Working out that something is wrong is tough, especially when you’ve had a baby (often without any obvious difficulty) before. 

Sorting out and advocating for treatment is tougher. 

But toughest of all is the emotional rollercoaster that we can find ourselves on, with secondary infertility, and the feelings of confusion, disappointment, grief, guilt, isolation and shame which can surface. 

We’ve felt this. And we’re with you. Let’s unpack secondary infertility with a clinic at the top of their treatment game – TFP Fertility UK – with everything there is to know, right now, about this complex topic. Their nationwide network of expert clinics regularly treat patients for secondary infertility, while providing expert psychological support for the specific journey you’re on. 

Keep reading for their steer on: 

• causes, watch points and diagnosis 
• unexplained secondary infertility 
• the PCOS connection (a number one question from our community)
• secondary infertility in men (male factor)
• success rates

Before you jump in, bookmark a couple of our other resources in collab with the clinical team at TFP Fertility UK. From specific treatment plans to counselling support, pick and choose from: 

Plus lots more. Wherever you’re at with secondary infertility or another question, head straight to TFP Fertility UK to connect with the team, and get a plan in place today. 

Over to TFP Fertility UK