What is Secondary Infertility?
Being able to conceive and give birth to a healthy baby in due time makes the couple happy.
However, you may find yourself unable to get pregnant when you think of making an addition to your family a few years down the line.
The inability to conceive for the second or third time or losing it by miscarriage is termed as secondary pregnancy.
Many couples feel that it is a fluke and success is bound to come with time since they had already given birth earlier.
However, it might be important to treat the condition as simply trying endlessly will not solve the problem.
Unfortunately, most couples feel that there is no need for medical intervention and leave the matter unattended until complications arise making it even more difficult to get pregnant without aid.
The fertility doctors would be able to examine both the partner and discover the cause behind infertility.
Symptoms of Secondary Infertility
The symptoms are more or less like that of a primary infertility with the concerned doctor being convinced on finding the following:-
Unsuccessful after trying to get pregnant for 6 to 12 months – You do not have to wait for that long, however. Make sure to visit your doctor if you find that you are unable to get pregnant and the waiting period is more than the time it took you to achieve the first pregnancy.
Age– Remember that fertility is bound to decrease with age. So, do not wait any longer if you are finding it difficult to conceive naturally. Fertility issues are likely when female partner is more than 35 years of age.
Visit the fertility expert immediately and find out whether you need any treatment to conceive naturally. It is common knowledge that both the quality of eggs as well as the quantity of oocytes (eggs) is crucial for getting pregnant.
However, both will decline steadily with each passing year until the conditions become impossible for pregnancy.
Successful pregnancy after the age of 40 may not be impossible but it is definitely a challenging phenomenon.
However, the fertility expert would be able to offer a number of fertility treatments to ensure success.
Irregular Menstrual Cycles – You need to consult a doctor when you find that the menstrual cycles become irregular. Too many days or fewer days between cycles should send the alarm bells ringing.
You may also find the flow being reduced greatly many a time. The fertility doctor will examine you closely and recommend a number of diagnostic tests.
There may be changes in ovulation deciphered. No worries! The doctor will prescribe medication to induce ovulation and release of mature eggs.
History of Miscarriages– Your chances of becoming pregnant can be severely impaired if you have a history of repeated miscarriages in the past. Visit a reproductive specialist to learn about the treatment plans and follow his/her instructions to achieve a successful pregnancy
Being unable to conceive can also be due to a problem with the male partner. The couple should be upfront and candid in discussing the following issues when the male partner is known to have:-
- Low sperm count or improper sperm motility
- Past illnesses affecting the testes, prostrate and bladder
- Physical deformation of the reproductive organs
- Undergone treatment for cancer including chemotherapy and radiation
- Swelling in the scrotum
- Family history of infertility
Causes of Secondary Infertility
Reasons for secondary infertility are varied. However, the fertility doctor will examine both the partners and conduct a host of tests in order to find the root cause of the problem.
Some of the commonest causes of infertility after a successful pregnancy may include:-
Improper or lack of Ovulation– Having polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperprolactinemia or hyperthyroidism/ hypothyroidism may be responsible for causing infertility. It is important to have all the conditions treated to have a successful pregnancy
Abnormal structure of Uterus– Abnormality in the shape of the uterus or cervix can result in infertility. The presence of polyps or non cancerous tumors in the uterine cavity may interfere with the implantation of an embryo whereas these fibroids may also end up blocking the fallopian tube thus stopping the passage of sperms towards the oocyte.
Pelvic inflammatory disease– Being diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease can have the doctor worried as this can cause blockage of the fallopian tube due to fluid formed by infection or endometriosis as well as adhesions inside the tube.
Endometriosis– This is a unique condition where uterine tissue grows in other areas, often spreading to the fallopian tubes, ovaries and external part of uterus. This interferes with normal functioning of the reproductive organs thus causing infertility.
Early Menopause– Many women experience early menopause with the reproductive life ceasing before the age of 40. While this is rare but it can be caused due to compromised immune system, genetic defects or cancer treatments.
Secondary infertility may also be caused by the following:-
- Infections that have not been treated after the birth of the first child
- Infertility issue of the male partner
- Scarring inside reproductive organs
- Hormonal changes
- Advanced Age
- Stress /Anxiety issues
- Smoking & Alcohol Consumption
- Obesity / Being Underweight
- Diabetes, Thyroid Deficiency, Cancer, Increase in Blood Pressure
Treatment for Secondary Infertility
As with all heath issues, secondary infertility can be treated too! The first thing that you may want to do is to opt for lifestyle changes.
Be sure to shed all that extra weight that you have gained after the birth
of your first child.
Eat a nutritious and balanced diet and exercise regularly without overdoing it. Quit consuming tobacco products and give up alcohol for good if you want to be prepared for pregnancy yet again.
However, it is always best to visit a fertility doctor and follow his/her instructions.
Some of the traditional treatment procedures recommended by the experts include the following:-
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): The doctor will monitor your ovulation cycle meticulously and prepare you for IUI wherein a batch of healthy sperms will be injected into your uterus directly.
The sperm could come from your partner or the doctor may choose to utilize frozen or donor sperms as per the need.
However, you will also be put on fertility medication so that the time of ovulation matches that of sperm injection.
Hysteroscopy Treatment: The fertility doctor will examine the lining of your uterus along with the cervix closely with the help of endoscopy.
Any problems within the uterus as well as presence of fibrous tissues will be detected along with the strength of the uterine lining.
The professional will make sure to remove the polyps, fibroids and scar tissue from the uterine cavity so that there is enough space left for the embryo to implant itself and grow leading to successful pregnancy.
Medication to Enhance Fertility:
The fertility expert will prescribe a number of fertility drugs for normalizing and regularizing the ovulation.
Feel free to talk to your doctor if you have any doubts about the efficacy of the drugs. You will learn the purpose of each and be warned about the potential side effects, if any.
Do not ignore any of the above mentioned symptoms. Visit the best fertility doctors at KIC, Bengaluru to get proper treatment and progress towards a successful pregnancy.
Call 7204051333 / 29900967627 for booking an appointment. Email info@kicbengaluru.com to clarify your doubts about treating secondary infertility.
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