{"id":50671,"date":"2024-03-27T10:50:52","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T08:50:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/?p=50671"},"modified":"2024-03-27T14:43:54","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T12:43:54","slug":"secondary-infertility-what-is-it-treatments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/secondary-infertility-what-is-it-treatments\/","title":{"rendered":"Secondary Infertility: what is it and what are the treatments?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Secondary infertility is the inability to become pregnant or to carry a baby to term after previously giving birth to a baby<\/strong>. This cool and clinical description defines the term accurately, but can\u2019t begin to describe the bewilderment, anxiety and sheer pain that patients experiencing secondary infertility can feel.<\/p>\n

Today we’re discussing this issue and how to address it. We’re considering what happens when ‘the little brother\/sister’ doesn’t arrive.<\/p>\n

How many people struggle with secondary infertility?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While there are no hard and fast secondary infertility statistics worldwide, some survey-based reviews of couples who already have a child and fail to become pregnant with another after one year of unprotected intercourse estimate that one in six, that is 16.6%, experience a conception difficulties. This compares with a figure of nearer to one in five, or 20%, for couples with no previous children. Other estimates put the figure closer to one in five for secondary infertility.<\/p>\n

In addition, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)<\/a> estimates that approximately 50% of couples seeking fertility treatment have secondary infertility issues.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Secondary infertility causes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As with primary fertility issues, possible secondary infertility causes include impaired sperm production, function or delivery in men and fallopian tube damage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis and uterine conditions in women.<\/p>\n

Exclusively in the case of secondary infertility, there is the possibility of complications directly resulting from a previous pregnancy<\/strong>. Other risk factors like changes in health, weight, lifestyle or medication could also be factors to consider. In addition, those experiencing secondary infertility are inevitably that much older than they were when their first child was born, and it can be easy to overlook the fact that the chances of conception decrease as the years go by.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition, it may happen that a person struggles to conceive with one partner but not with another<\/strong>. This occurs when the combination of both reproductive potentials is not suitable.<\/p>\n

What are the signs of secondary infertility?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As we reflected at the outset, secondary infertility involves difficulty in conceiving a child after one or more previous pregnancies. In this regard, the indications for visiting a specialist are the same as with primary infertility (when seeking the first child).<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most clinicians recommend that if you have frequent unprotected sex but don\u2019t become pregnant after a year if you are under 35 or after six months if you\u2019re 35 or older, it\u2019s a good idea to seek advice to try to pin down the causes in your particular case.<\/p>\n

How do you overcome secondary infertility?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Once you have a diagnosis, you can start to focus on potential solutions. Firstly, a comprehensive fertility assessment is necessary to evaluate the potential causes of this infertility.<\/strong> Previous pregnancy history will be taken into account, especially if prior pregnancies were achieved naturally or not.<\/p>\n

For specialists to determine the reasons behind infertility, both primary and secondary, it’s necessary for the couple to undergo a series of tests. In the case of women, this typically involves hormonal analysis through blood samples and ultrasounds. <\/strong>Additional tests may be required depending on each patient’s situation.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, men should undergo a semen analysis<\/strong> or spermogram to assess factors such as sperm count, motility, and morphology.<\/p>\n

Secondary infertility tests \u2013 what should you expect?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The secondary infertility tests that you can expect when you visit one of our clinics include a complete medical history review and physical examination of both partners. The range of tests may be extended depending on the patient<\/strong>. To complete the diagnosis it will also be necessary to assess semen quality in the man via a seminogram test. These tests are in fact identical whether your individual case involves primary or secondary infertility. However, obviously your personal history is significant and will be taken into account.<\/p>\n

Possible secondary infertility treatments which may be recommended as a result of the investigations and tests could include artificial insemination, IVF, sperm donation or egg donation,<\/strong> depending on the individual case.<\/p>\n