Secondary Infertility: Symptoms, Treatment, Causes

Infertility the second time can be distressing for many, some may also be shocked that their fertility has changed, and some may be sad that their child will not have a sibling.

#Secondary Infertility is a condition or inability to conceive after having previously given birth to a child.

There is a difference between primary and secondary Infertility, as in both conditions, a woman can’t get pregnant. Some are guilty of not having a child anymore. However, booking your appointment at the best fertility clinic in delhi is the only way to get yourself checked. 

 

Causes of secondary Infertility in males and female

To get pregnant, a couple must follow all steps during ovulation and fertilisation. Causes of Infertility can be in both males or females and anyone. Infertility causes affect one or both partners mentally and physically, and sometimes the reason for this condition cannot be found. The condition affects not only the female partner but also the male partner. Many people think that females are mainly responsible for secondary infertility , but males can also be responsible for the same . However, male infertility or secondary male Infertility is as common as female Infertility, as one-third of the secondary infertility cases are because of male problems. 

Secondary Male Infertility Causes. 

The causes of secondary Infertility in males are described below: 

• Varicocele: It is a condition in males and presents as a vein enlargement in the scrotum or the skin sac encasing the testicles. These veins, when enlarged, cause blood pooling that overheats the sperm cells and inactivate them, which is one of the causes for secondary infertility.
• Reduction in testosterone levels: It is another reason causing male infertility, as testosterone is a vital male hormone that plays a role in sperm production. Its level can be affected by ageing, injury to testicles, or certain medical conditions like thyroid or genitourinary infections. 
• Unhealthy habits: Consuming drugs and alcohol is a cause of Infertility as it builds up toxins in your body and leads to Infertility. Also, there are cases in which you may be exposed to toxins like pesticides, harmful chemicals, and radiation that affect the sperm. 
• Stress: Stress is another cause of secondary Infertility; even if you are stressed before your first child, it may now be turned into a physical manifestation. 

Causes of secondary Infertility in females 

Both Primary and secondary Infertility have similar causes, and here are some of the causes of female Infertility: 

• Ovulation disorder: It is one of the primary causes of female secondary Infertility, as about 40 percent of them do not consistently ovulate. This problem can be caused by Polycystic ovary syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency, decreased egg production because of ageing, thyroid disease, and some lifestyle factors like drug misuse, alcohol consumption, etc. 
• Problem with uterus: Another cause is the structural problems in women that make them more infertile. They may experience blocked fallopian tubes and disrupt the meeting of sperm and egg. The uterus may also have tissue defects that prevent implantation. Some conditions are endometriosis, polyps, uterine scarring, and abnormality in the uterus shape. 
• C section scarring: During your C-section with a past pregnancy, you might have a scar in the uterus, which can lead to inflammation that affects implantation and causes secondary Infertility. 
•  Infections: Many types of infections, mainly STIs, can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, leading to blockage and scarring in fallopian tubes. HPV is among the most common infections that may affect cervical mucus and reduce fertility. 
• Autoimmune diseases: The autoimmune disease makes the body attack healthy and reproductive tissues. These include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., that can cause inflammation in the uterus and placenta.  
• Age: Age is another main factor and cause of secondary Infertility compared to primary Infertility in females. In females, fertility peaks at 20, declines till 30 and reduces significantly till 40. Thus, a successful pregnancy cannot happen at more advanced maternal ages as it may be challenging. Go through tips for getting pregnant at 30-35.

Signs and symptoms of secondary Infertility 

One of the primary symptoms of Infertility the second time, also called secondary Infertility, is not getting pregnant despite having regular sex without using any contraception. You might talk to a specialist if you have been trying to get pregnant for more than one year. The signs that may suggest that you have female Infertility are : 

• If a female is less than 35 years of age and has been trying to conceive for about a year.
• If a female is above 35 years of age and has been trying to conceive for more than six months.

If a female or couple experiences one of the above-listed issues, they should schedule an appointment with a fertility specialist to get help to determine the best treatment for secondary Infertility. Firstly they will determine the cause and suggest the right treatment options to the patient.

Secondary infertility tests

Infertility treatment will depend upon your situation and the cause of the condition. If your primary pregnancy was easy, secondary pregnancy can scare you. But treatment for secondary Infertility first starts with determining the main reason, and thus, your fertility specialist will first recommend some tests : 

• Blood test to check hormone levels 
• Ovulation tests
•  Pelvic examination
• X-rays to check fallopian tubes 
• Transvaginal ultrasound 
• Many other tests to check the uterus and cervix condition

Secondary infertility treatments:

1. IVF: IVF is among the most common and preferred treatments for couples experiencing Infertility. Pride IVF Centre in Delhi is among the best fertility hospitals with the most elevated achievement results. The IVF process is done by taking the sperm and eggs of a couple and preparing them in the lab to form an embryo; after that, the embryo is embedded in the female womb to accomplish pregnancy. 
2. IUI: Also known as Intrauterine insemination is another way to treat Infertility. The sperm is infused into the female’s uterus  during the process.
3. Medications: Many medications are also prescribed by the specialist for Infertility, like laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and IMSI, and so on. 

Why choose Pride IVF to treat Infertility? 

If you are experiencing Infertility, it can be due to many reasons. However, many types of Infertility are normal in females above 35 years of age because of egg quality, etc. You should choose the best IVF clinic in Delhi to get yourself checked and know the proper treatment for secondary Infertility. The clinic is known not only for infertility treatment but also provides assisted embryo hatching, embryo scope, freezing, and genetic embryo screening for healthy children. They also offer IVF for male Infertility and IUI for female Infertility, along with other sperm retrieval procedures, including PESA or TESA and micro TESE. 

Conclusion 

Infertility can affect couples physically and emotionally, and you need to talk to the fertility specialist about all your concerns, goals, and struggles. Your treatment of secondary Infertility will depend upon its causes. Your doctor will help you decide whether you might benefit from speciality care, IVF, or IUI treatment at a fertility clinic.