Secondary infertility is quite similar to the term infertility and shares many variations. But you should know that one thing that differentiates the term "secondary infertility" from " infertility" is the inability to get pregnant again after a successful pregnancy. However, infertility can occur either through the issues of men or women or due to both.
Hence, this article will give you a detailed understanding of the concept of “secondary infertility” and how you can fight these issues.
Secondary Infertility
Secondary infertility is when a couple fails to conceive naturally for the second time after getting success in the first attempt of pregnancy with the help of fertility medications and treatments such as IVF treatment. It alarms the couple after trying for more than six months when they become unable to conceive or face several miscarriages in an attempt to plan for a second child.
Difference between primary and secondary infertility
Primary Infertility- It occurs when a couple who have never had a child face infertility complication in their life
Secondary infertility occurs when a couple has had one or more pregnancies in the past but is still dealing with infertility challenges while planning for a baby.
Symptoms of secondary infertility in men and women
Symptoms of secondary infertility in men :
Problems with sexual functions
Swelling, pain, or lump in the testicular area
Inability to smell
Lower sperm count than usual
Decreased facial or body hair
Abnormal breast growth
Symptoms of secondary infertility in women:
Too-long menstrual cycle
Shorter than expected periods
Absence of periods
Heavy periods
Painful periods
Evident causes
Evident causes for secondary infertility are-
There can be many possible causes of infertility, but some of the most common are-
Ovulation disorder- Secondary infertility most often arises due to ovulation disorder when women fail to produce a healthy egg.
Presence of fibroids and polyps- The presence of fibroids and polyps in the women’s reproductive system makes it harder to get successfully pregnant again.
Endometriosis- Endometriosis is a tissue that grows outside the uterus lining, making women infertile.
Cervical mucus issues- A change in the mucus consistency complicate getting pregnant effectively.
Polycystic ovarian disorder (PCOD)- It indicates the change in hormones and makes women infertile once again.
Poor lifestyle- Poor lifestyle factors such as excessive intake of alcohol, drugs, and caffeine increase the infertility rate in a couple.
Low quality of eggs and sperm- Low quality of eggs and sperm often leads to miscarriage or no pregnancy at all.
Lower production of sperms- Lower production of eggs and sperms enhances the high risk of infertility among men and women.
Genetic factors- Genetic factors that pass on from generation to generation lower the fertility rate in couples.
How common is secondary infertility?
According to research, secondary infertility is as common as primary infertility.
Treatments for secondary infertility
Regardless of primary and secondary infertility, the treatments remain the same for both, and they are-
Medications- Specific medications such as clomiphene and letrozole will be given to boost the ovulation rate in women so that more and more matured eggs can be produced.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)- It is a process in which sperm is surgically injected into the mother’s womb to boost pregnancy success without causing further trouble.
In-vitro fertilization (IVF)- It is the ultimate treatment for any infertile couple, in which medications are given to stimulate the fertilization process. Later, sperm and eggs are extracted from men’s semen and women’s ovaries to be combined in a petri dish inside a laboratory to complete an effective fertilization process.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): It is further assistance to the IVF process. In this, a sperm gets injected by a needle into the center of a matured egg to reduce any possibility of IVF failure.
What should a couple do if they have secondary infertility?
Don't lose hope if you find yourself stuck in a complicated condition like secondary infertility. As with the integration of technology and IVF, you can effortlessly plan for your second or first baby without getting depressed. Hence, it is highly recommended to visit Crysta IVF, one of the best IVF centers in Kolkata, where an experienced team of doctors will solve all your queries to plan for a healthy baby.
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