What is Secondary Infertiltiy?

We can talk about infertility after a year of having unprotected sexual intercourse between the partners, after a year if the couple is not able to conceive this condition can be described as infertility. There are number of factors that has an impact on conceiving however the female age has the greatest impact on infertility. Therefore, women aged over 35 with a desire to have a child should seek medical attention after trying for 6 months, if the mother-to-be is younger than 35, couple can wait for a year before seeking medical attention.

Infertility affects about 25% of the word population, the spread of infertility between genders are equal, in another word infertility caused by female and male partners equally. Therefore, in a case of where couple cannot conceive both partners should be examined. Stress, unhealth dietary habits and smoking increases infertility cases worldwide each passing day.

Increase in the sexually transmitted disease patients, social norms on marriage age and therefore age of parents increases as well, that is another impact that increases the number of infertile couples. Generally, 80% of the couples who have unprotected sexual intercourse become pregnant within the first 6 months, and only 10% becomes pregnant from 6th to 12th month.

Generally, infertility occurs caused by a problem from either male or female partner, however on some cases infertility may occur without a reason. There are two types of infertility primary infertility and secondary infertility. Primary infertility is a case where couple have not become pregnant before and secondary infertility is a case when partners could have become pregnant before but cannot conceive for the second time.

In the presence of secondary infertility, having a living child is not a criteria. Occurrence of pregnancy is the sole criteria on determining primary and secondary infertility. Complaints such as “I have a child, but I cannot become pregnant again” are classified as secondary infertility. Before answering to “what causes secondary infertility?” we must answer “What is secondary infertility?” before.

What is Secondary Infertility?

Having a healthy reproductive system is not sufficient to become pregnant. Along with a healthy reproductive system, hormonal levels and other organs must be operating in sequence. Region in the brain called hypothalamus triggers the hypophysis tissue. Hypophysis tissue is an endocrine tissue when it is triggered it secretes LH and FSH hormones. Those hormones secreted from the hypophysis tissue they mix with blood and enter blood circulation. When LH and FSH hormones reach to ovaries they trigger the maturing process of the eggs.

Healthiest matured egg cracks the pouch it is in and moves to the fallopian tubes where the fertilization will take place. Fallopian tubes are reproductive system organ placed in between the uterus and ovarian it is shaped as a tube. Meanwhile the pouch that egg has left behind secretes oestrogen hormone which helps endometrium (uterus wall) to thicken. Egg can live in the body for 24 hours and sperm cells can live up to 5 days in body, those two cells meet in the fallopian tubes for fertilization. Following the fertilization embryo develops and adherences to the uterus pregnancy occurs after the adherence of embryo and uterus.

During this process, many medical conditions may block occurrence of pregnancy. This can be case even after previous pregnancy or after healthy delivery, this is defined as secondary infertility. Secondary infertility can be a result of medical condition of the male partner. Secondary infertility can be impacted from other organs or systems outside of reproductive system such as traumas, past operations or endocrinological diseases.

Therefore, if couple cannot become pregnant after previous pregnancies, they should seek medical attention. Secondary infertility should be evaluated for both the partners. On some cases multi-disciplinary treatment protocols may be needed. Before we go into treatment of secondary infertility, we should find out what causes secondary infertility.

What Causes Secondary Infertility?

Couples who have become pregnant before generally tend to hide secondary infertility therefore, they do not seek medical attention. However, we advise couples with secondary infertility to seek medical attention as it might have medical conditions causing secondary infertility.

Secondary infertility can be caused from either of the partners. Secondary infertility related to male partner can be caused by varicocele, infections, traumas, and testicle tumours. Secondary infertility related with female partner can be caused by advancing age, irregular menstruations, damaged and/or blocked tubes, deformed shaped uterus, uterus, or cervix cancer.

Having varicosis in the sperm vein, blocks the blood circulation and causes testicles to get warmer than it needs to be, this condition is called varicocele. This condition affects the production of sperm cells, it is the most frequent underlying reason of secondary infertility on male partner. Testicle tumours and medication used in the treatment affects the sperm production negatively. Traumas and diseases affecting testicle and reproductive organ can be the underlying reason of secondary infertility. Also sexually transmitted diseases may cause secondary infertility.

Secondary infertility related to the female partner can be a result of advancing age, this is the most frequent reason. Advancing age on female partners causes reduction in quality and quantity of the egg cells, this can be an obstacle on pregnancy. Hormonal changes that affect the regularity of the menstruation can cause secondary infertility. Blockage and damage to the fallopian tubes can impact the meeting of sperm and egg therefore the fertilization.

On some cases, after the fertilization depending on the shape of the uterus pregnancy may end with miscarriage. Infection diseases, presence of cysts and sexually transmitted diseases can cause deformation on uterus shape. Another factor that impacts fertilization is the uterus and cervix cancer. You should be cautious about this very serious disease.

Apart from all those reasons, allergies can also cause secondary infertility. Allergy types can have different impact on different people, many cause symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or itching however some allergy types can impact your reproductive health. Treatment of such cases can help partners to regain their health and it may help them to get pregnant again.

Why Can’t You Get Pregnant for the Second Child?

Apart from the reasons we talked about above, consumption of alcohol and smoking, being over or under weight, being exposed to radioactive or chemical substances, having stressful lifestyle can cause secondary infertility.

Treatment of Secondary Infertility

There are big range of reasons on why a person can have secondary infertility, therefore treatment must start with finding the underlying reason of secondary infertility. Depending on the underlying reason that causes secondary infertility, treatment protocol will be formed at the result of the treatment couple may need IVF treatment.

If you have became pregnant before, but having trouble on conceiving again, you might have secondary infertility.

For all your questions regarding secondary infertility, you can reach us from 444 39 49.