Secondary infertility dogging metros

Secondary infertility is getting common in cities like Mumbai, finds a study conducted by an infertility clinic.

Secondary infertility is the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy after a woman has conceived once earlier. It encompasses couples who already have a baby and/or couples who are able to conceive but the pregnancy does not carry forward for some medical reason. At least 20-25% couples consulting doctors are having secondary infertility problem.

According to the study by Nova IVI Fertility across its centres, at least 20% cases in Mumbai faced the challenge of secondary infertility. The case is almost the same across all the metros with Chennai registering the highest with 29% of cases of secondary infertility followed by Hyderabad at 25%, Bangalore at 25% and Kolkata at 23%.

Dr Richa Jagtap, clinical director, Consultant Reproductive Medicine, Nova IVI Fertility, said: "The main causes for secondary infertility are similar to those of primary infertility like tubal block, endometriosis, fibroid uterus, altered sperm parameters with the added burden of age and lifestyle issues."

In most cases, couples who face this problem do not consider themselves as 'infertile' since they have already conceived in the past. Secondary infertility couples need special care, complete evaluation of their fertility potential, say gynaecologists.