It seems as though infertility has been steadily increasing: and it is.  Not just for first timers, either: secondary infertility refers to a couple in which one or both partners have previously conceived a child, but are unable to have another after a year of trying. 

Why has this become increasingly common?  According to infertility expert Dr. Satty Keswani,

"Vaginal infections are important causes of secondary infertility, including yeast infections and chronic cervicitis as well as the aging factor.  The older a woman is, the more difficult it is for her to have a second child".

In fact, the ability to become pregnant peaks in a woman's mid twenties and decreases steadily as she ages.  By 35, this is become a fertility factor; by 40, 7 out of 10 married women who wanted to conceive were infertile. 

Infertility is not just a woman's problem, however.

"In men, the most important cause of secondary infertility is the sperm count.  As men get older, the sperm count may become lower and also prostatitis infection can result and give other types of infections in men".

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Created: 12/1/2000  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.