Many of the symptoms of secondary infertility are the same as those of primary infertility. Secondary infertility, on the other hand, occurs after a prior successful pregnancy when a woman is unable to conceive or deliver a child to full term. Both men and women are capable of causing infertility. Ovulation-inducing drugs, in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and surgery are all alternatives for treatment.
What causes secondary infertility?
After having a child, a woman may experience secondary infertility, which is the inability to conceive again or carry a baby to full term. A prior birth without the use of fertility medicines or therapies, such as IVF, is required to qualify as secondary infertility. After six months to a year of unsuccessful conceiving, secondary infertility is often identified. It’s not uncommon for individuals and couples to suffer from recurrent pregnancy loss, when they are able to get pregnant but can’t take it to term.
In what percentage of cases is secondary infertility a problem?
Infertility after a failed first attempt at conception is as prevalent as infertility after a failed first attempt at conception.
Secondary infertility can be caused by either a woman or a guy?
It is possible to trace secondary infertility back to either one or both of the partners involved. Women account for around one-third of instances, while males account for almost the same percentage. One-third of the cases have no clear cause, whereas the other two thirds are caused by a mix of circumstances. Secondary infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, including older age, problems from a previous pregnancy or surgery, increased weight, drugs, sexually transmitted illnesses, reduced sperm production, alcohol misuse, and smoking.
Infertility in women can be due to a variety of factors –
• Problems with the amount or quality of eggs: Women are given a limited supply of eggs at birth and are unable to produce additional ones after birth, resulting in secondary infertility. With age, the quantity of eggs in women’s ovaries decreases and the remaining eggs have a greater risk of chromosomal defects. When age isn’t an issue, other factors including autoimmune or genetic diseases, past surgery or radiation treatment can explain why a woman has fewer high-quality eggs.
• If the fallopian tubes get clogged by pelvic infections like chlamydia or gonorrhoea, the eggs from the ovaries can’t get to the uterus.
• Secondary infertility can be caused by a variety of disorders relating to the uterus. Dilation and curettage (D&C) or a Cesarean delivery might cause scarring and, in turn, uterine adhesions that can obstruct a subsequent pregnancy. Benign (non-cancerous) uterine polyps or fibroids can interfere with a pregnancy. Infection and uterine scarring might result from a placenta that is still attached to the uterus.
• Tissue from the uterus that typically develops inside the uterus grows outside the uterus, such as on the surface of the ovaries or the colon. Infertility is not always a result of endometriosis.
• Periods that are abnormally lengthy or infrequent are the hallmarks of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition. The ovaries of a woman with this illness are unable to produce eggs on a regular basis because of an overabundance of masculine hormones.
• Women who exclusively breastfeed their infants are unable to ovulate or release eggs for prospective fertilisation.
• Some individuals’ ovarian dysfunction might be exacerbated by weight increase or other dietary or lifestyle changes. Infertility may be affected by certain diets. Medications can also have an impact on fertility.
Secondary infertility in males can be caused by a variety of factors.
Among the causes of male infertility, secondary infertility is:
• Testosterone level is lower.
• The generation of sperm is greatly aided by testosterone. Certain medical disorders can cause a decrease in testosterone levels, including age, injury to the urinary or genital organs, and other factors.
• These are the conditions:
• Infections of the genitals
• Diseases of the thyroid
• Diabetes
• Tuberculosis
• Mumps
• Smallpox
• Blood-related illnesses
• Noncancerous tumors
• Emotional tension
• Infarction of the heart
• Coma
• Stroke
• Respiratory failure
• Acute congestive heart failure
• Burns
• Sepsis, an infection-related condition with life-threatening consequences.
• Genital tract surgery
• Mycoplasma, a kind of bacterium, is found in the environment
• Anesthesia
What can a couple do if they have reason to believe that they may be suffering from secondary infertility?
• You should see a reproductive endocrinologist or a urologist if you suspect secondary infertility. Don’t be late. A comprehensive range of therapy choices may only be obtained through early examination.
• Pregnancy-related changes in your medical history will be examined by your doctor. Menstrual irregularities are likely to be brought up, and the doctor will want to know if you’re ovulating and generating eggs as they should. Health issues like thyroid illness or cancer may impact the quality or quantity of the sperm produced by a man.
• They’ll talk about various diagnostic procedures with the doctor and the couple. X-rays of the uterus, termed hysterosalpingograms (HSGs), may detect abnormalities such as scarring. Alternatively, the doctor may request a semen examination.
• Secondary infertility can be treated in a variety of ways.
• Treatments for infertility, regardless of whether it is primary or secondary, are the same.
• Clomiphene (Clomid®) and letrozole (Femara) are two medications that can be used to stimulate ovulation in women with an ovulatory problem.
There are two types of IVF treatments: intrauterine insemination (IUI) and intrauterine fertilisation (IVF).
It is possible to use donor sperm in IVF?
• A surgical operation to remove eggs, in vitro fertilisation in a laboratory to create embryos, in vitro development of embryos, and intrauterine transfer of embryos are all steps in the IVF process. IVF can make use of egg or sperm donors.
• A gestational surrogate (a woman not related to the child) may be used in IVF to carry the pregnancy to term, albeit this is not permitted in many states and countries. Egg freezing can be done before fertilisation in order to preserve the eggs for future usage by women who do not have a partner or who wish to have children in the future.
• Women who have uterine-related issues that need to be fixed through surgery. The uterus can be repaired by doctors, including the removal of scar tissue, polyps, and fibroids. Surgery to treat a varicocele on the testicles. Male infertility’s most common reason may be surgically fixed.
• Antioxidants and anti-aging vitamins, which can help men become more fertile. Semen quality can also be improved by drug therapy.
People also search
What is the main cause of secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility can be caused by a variety of factors, including older age, problems from a previous pregnancy or surgery, increased weight, drugs, sexually transmitted illnesses, reduced sperm production, alcohol misuse, and smoking.
How likely is secondary infertility?
In what percentage of cases is secondary infertility a problem? Primary and secondary infertility are both prevalent. One in every eight couples attempting to conceive, or 12.5%, will experience infertility. About half of all cases of infertility are caused by secondary infertility.
What secondary infertility feels like?
There can be a heavy weight on your shoulders if you can’t give your child a sibling, but your desire for a second child may also lead you guilt for not being happy with the one you already have. Anger. The fact that everyone else seems to be able to do something you can’t is a source of frustration for you. Anxiety.
Can you get pregnant after secondary infertility?
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, millions of couples face secondary infertility, despite the fact that they may have no trouble getting pregnant the second time around. These couples include those who have struggled with infertility in the past, but have now had a child of their own.
