Secondary infertility occurs when there is a struggle to conceive again after having one or more biological children. While there are several known causes of secondary infertility, many of these instances can be classified as unexplained fertility. When standard fertility tests and evaluations come back normal, pinpointing the reason for fertility problems proves challenging. When standard fertility tests do not offer answers, there are still other potential factors to assess that could contribute to unexplained infertility:
Fertility and Age
Age plays a role in fertility for both women and men. Men experience a gradual drop in sperm count as they age. As women grow older, the quantity and quality of their eggs decline, increasing the odds of infertility, so couples who first conceived when the woman was younger may struggle when trying for another baby in their late 30s or 40s. Doctors might consider a woman’s age a strong predictor of her ability to get pregnant. Older couples dealing with unexplained secondary infertility should weigh the likelihood that age-related factors are at play.
Potential Perimenopause
Women entering perimenopause, the transition period leading up to menopause, often notice irregular menstrual cycles and increased unpredictable ovulation. Changes in reproductive hormones like estrogen can inhibit ovulation in some cycles and contribute to unexplained secondary fertility. Since ovulation is needed for conception, perimenopause can make getting pregnant difficult. Women in their late 30s and 40s who have started having sporadic periods might be experiencing the hormonal shifts of early perimenopause without realizing it.
Lifestyle Factors
Making positive lifestyle changes like losing excess weight, eating healthier, reducing stress, and boosting nutrient intake can sometimes help improve fertility. Unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, using certain medications or drugs, intense exercising, poor diet, and chronic stress take a toll on the body and impede conception. Couples struggling with unexplained secondary infertility could benefit from re-evaluating their routines and minimizing any negative lifestyle factors in their control that could impact reproductive health.
Undiagnosed Medical Conditions
In some cases, an undiagnosed medical condition could be at the root of unexplained infertility issues. Certain chronic illnesses, hormonal disorders, autoimmune diseases, and structural abnormalities in the reproductive organs affect fertility without obvious symptoms. Options like getting a second opinion from a fertility specialist or asking for further testing might help uncover hidden health problems contributing to conception difficulties. A couple may need to dig deeper to pinpoint the elusive source of their secondary infertility battle.
Effects of Birth Control
Some types of hormonal birth control, such as the pill, patch, ring, shot, or hormonal IUD, can suppress fertility for several months after discontinuing use. The effects on the menstrual cycle and ovulation might persist while the body recalibrates its natural hormonal balance. This means that women who got pregnant after stopping birth control the first time may have more trouble conceiving again. Previous hormonal contraceptive use could be a factor in unclear, unexplained secondary infertility cases.
Male Unexplained Infertility
Most fertility assessments focus on evaluating the woman. But male factor infertility plays a role in around half of couples struggling to conceive. Men sometimes undergo plummeting sperm counts or mobility as they advance in age. Other times, there are lifestyle contributors or undiagnosed medical conditions that impede sperm production and function. Reproductive challenges, structural abnormalities, illnesses, and chromosomal defects also affect male fertility. Reviewing the male partner’s medical history and getting a full semen analysis could provide clues.
Previous Pregnancy Complications
Certain complications during a previous pregnancy or delivery may have lingering effects on fertility. Issues like uterine scarring from surgery, retained placenta, or infections like chlamydia or pelvic inflammatory disease can sometimes damage the reproductive organs. Endometriosis often worsens after pregnancy. A history of pregnancy or birth complications might warrant a closer medical look when dealing with unexplained secondary infertility.
Irregular Ovulation
The most fertile days for women each month only span about six days. Having well-timed, targeted intercourse during the two to three days before and on the day of ovulation gives couples increased conception odds. But if a woman’s cycles are irregular, pinpointing that brief fertility window can prove difficult. Most conception happens within the first few months of trying. Couples with infertility who haven’t conceived after six months to one year of well-timed sex may need assistance narrowing down ovulation timing.
Start the Fertility Journey Today
Although standard testing might not explain infertility issues, various factors, from age to lifestyle to undiagnosed conditions, could be contributors. Patience, self-care, and leaning on patterns or loved ones during this difficult time are also helpful resources. Maintain hope that the underlying root causes of unexplained fertility can be overcome through discovery or trying assisted fertility options. Seek specialized fertility advice and treatment to take the first step of your fertility journey.
