Getting Started

Secondary Infertility

Secondary infertility is the difficulty conceiving again after previously having a child and it's one of the most common yet least talked about fertility challenges. If you're trying to expand your family and finding it harder than you expected, you're not alone. Many people feel unable to seek help, worried that their difficulty conceiving a second child will go unacknowledged or unsupported. At London Women's Clinic, you'll receive the same level of expert, compassionate care as any of our patients. With the right support and treatment, many people go on to have more children.

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What is Secondary Infertility?

Secondary infertility occurs when someone who has previously conceived – naturally or through fertility treatment – is unable to become pregnant again. Many people expect conception to happen quickly the second time around, so delays can feel unexpected and worrying, and the experience can be isolating. Secondary infertility is not a reflection of anything you have done wrong, it is a medical challenge that deserves investigation and support.

The most common sign of secondary infertility is simply difficulty conceiving again after a period of trying. You may also notice changes in your menstrual cycle or ovulation patterns, symptoms of conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis or fibroids that were not present or diagnosed previously, or changes in your partner's sperm health over time.

What Causes Secondary Infertility?

Secondary infertility can arise from new factors that were not present during your first pregnancy, or from existing conditions that have changed or progressed over time. Common causes include:

Age-related changes, such as reduced egg quality and ovarian reserve may have declined since your first pregnancy
Ovulation disorders, conditions such as PCOS
Tubal problems, a previous pregnancy or pelvic infection could cause scarring or blockages in the fallopian tubes
Endometriosis, whether a new diagnosis or progression of an existing endometriosis this could affect fertility
Fibroids or uterine changes after a previous birth
Male factor infertility, including sperm count or motility changes over time
Weight, lifestyle or hormonal changes, changes in BMI, thyroid function or others could all affect fertility
Undiagnosed conditions such as fibroids or thyroid dysfunction

Secondary Infertility Treatment Options

The right treatment depends on the underlying cause, your age and how long you’ve been trying to conceive. Below are the most common treatments used to support patients experiencing secondary infertility following a fertility assessment.

IVF

IVF is often recommended when tests show reduced egg quality, sperm issues, unexplained infertility or fallopian tube issues. For patients who have previously had IVF, your specialist will review your previous treatment history and discuss how your protocol may need to be adapted based on what has changed since your first pregnancy.

IUI

IUI may be suitable for patients with regular ovulation, good sperm parameters and no major structural issues. It can be used with partner or donor sperm.

Medications

Some patients may benefit from medication to help regulate cycles or stimulate ovulation, such as letrozole or clomiphene. These are often combined with IUI.

How Secondary Infertility is Investigated

A fertility assessment is the best way to understand what may have changed since your last pregnancy. Secondary infertility tests are similar to those used for primary infertility and help identify any factors affecting your ability to conceive again.

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Step 1Hormone and ovulation testing

Checks ovarian reserve, ovulation patterns and hormone levels such as AMH, FSH, LH and progesterone.

Step 2Semen analysis

Evaluates sperm count, motility and morphology to identify male factor secondary infertility.

Step 3Ultrasound and pelvic assessment

Investigates ovarian activity, fibroids, endometrial lining and the overall reproductive environment.

Step 4Tubal patency tests (HyCoSy or HSG)

Confirms whether the fallopian tubes are still open and functioning normally.

Step 5Review of birth history and medical changes

Assesses factors such as previous delivery method (including C-section), infections, weight changes or conditions that may have developed since your last pregnancy.

Your specialist will guide you through the next steps and discuss whether treatment may help.

Fertility Preservation

Further Secondary Infertility Support

For patients who want to safeguard future fertility — for medical, personal or age-related reasons — egg or embryo freezing can be a valuable option. This is particularly worth considering if investigations suggest your ovarian reserve has declined since your first pregnancy.

Over 40s

Secondary infertility is particularly common for those trying to conceive again in their 40s, where age-related changes to egg quality and ovarian reserve play a significant role. Our dedicated Over 40s Programme provides specialist support tailored to the unique considerations of fertility at this stage of life, including PGT-A embryo genetic testing and access to our comprehensive donor egg programme.

Modern Families & LGBT

Families grow in many different ways. Whether you are planning another child using donor sperm, donor eggs, reciprocal IVF or shared motherhood, we offer dedicated pathways for every kind of modern family — with the same expert, inclusive care at every stage.

Why choose London Women’s Clinic?

Struggling to conceive again after previously having a child can be both confusing and emotionally challenging. Secondary infertility is more common than many people realise, and there are often clear steps that can help.

Get the Fertility Support you Need

If you’re finding it difficult to conceive or want to explore our fertility treatments further, our specialists are here to help. Book a fertility health assessment and take the next step on your path to parenthood.

0207 563 4309 info@londonwomensclinic.com

Book a Fertility Health Assessment

Upcoming Fertility Events

Stay informed about the latest seminars, webinars and workshops on fertility and Secondary Infertility.

Fertility Treatment Options: Guildford Open Evening

Join us at our clinic to learn about our services, have a mini consultation and gain access to exclusive discounts!

Q&A with our Fertility Nurse Consultant: Understanding Egg Freezing

Join us for a webinar where you can have all your questions about egg freezing answered by our Specialist Fertility Nurse Consultant

Fertility Treatment Options: Brighton Open Evening

This free event is a great opportunity to learn about our fertility services, visit our Brighton clinic and have a mini consultation!

Fertility Treatment Options: Bromley Open Day

This free event is a great opportunity to learn about our fertility services, visit our Bromley clinic and have a mini consultation!

Fertility Treatment Options: Tunbridge Wells Open Day

Explore fertility treatment options at our Tunbridge Wells Open Day with expert guidance, a clinic tour and a free mini consultation.

Fertility Treatment Options: Brighton Open Day

Meet our Brighton fertility specialists, tour the clinic and get personalised guidance in a free mini consultation.

Secondary Infertility Stories, Advice and Research

Explore expert insights, personal stories and the latest research to guide you through every step of your journey.

Ella's Story: The Embryo that Changed Everything

"If she hadn't made that phone call, I would never have known that embryo had a chance..." At 46, having already been through three IVF cycles and preparing to begin donor egg treatment, Ella had almost given up on the idea of becoming a mother using her own eggs. Then an embryologist at London Women's Clinic made a call that changed everything. This is the story of one frozen embryo, a DNA swab sent from overseas, and the four-year-old girl who is now the light of her mother's life — and why advances in genetic embryo testing are making the seemingly impossible possible.

How PGT-A helped one patient create her family

Michelle was 39 when she walked into a London Women's Clinic open day, already certain of one thing: she didn't want to waste time. What followed was two IVF cycles, a devastating first round where no embryos were chromosomally normal, a mosaic result, and an embryo that came back from retesting as something extraordinary — euploid, chromosomally normal, and ready to become her daughter.

Egg freezing: six patients at London Women’s Clinic have now had a second baby from their original egg collection

The increasingly popular fertility preservation technique of egg freezing is now fulfilling its promise

The Path to Fatherhood: Mark & Nick’s Story

Mark and Nick openly share their experience of becoming fathers for the first time, through surrogacy at London Women's Clinic and using donor eggs from London Egg Bank

Using a Sperm Donor to Start Our Family

Knowing that they would need to use a sperm donor, Darel and Lauren came to London Women’s Clinic to benefit from their experience in same-sex fertility. Read their story below.

Lauren and Lisa’s Same-Sex Fertility Journey with the LWC Shared Motherhood Programme

The process of egg sharing amongst same-sex female couples sees one partner’s eggs being used to impregnate the other – resulting in the egg provider being the biological parent and the person carrying the baby being the gestational parent. Lauren and Lisa describe how this process helped them start their family.

Conditions