Blogs

Recent research shows us that the prevalence of infertility among women aged 20–49 was 24.58%, and only 61.17% of infertile women sought medical help. Why does the rate of primary and secondary infertility rise year after year, and why do such a small majority of women seek medical help? To answer these questions better, we need to comprehend secondary fertility better. So, let us begin by understanding the basic concepts of infertility.

What is infertility?

Infertility is a condition of the male or female reproductive system as they fail to achieve pregnancy after a year or more of unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility affects millions of people and makes an impact on families and communities.

Infertility is a common problem among people currently. As recent reports show, in the US, about 9% of married women aged between 15 and 49 are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying. Infertility can be caused in both males and females.

Infertility in males and females:

Although infertility is a phenomenon seen in both males and females, the reasons behind it are different for both of them.

In females, infertility is caused by:

Blockage of fallopian tubes, which is caused by untreated STIs or complications in unsafe abortion, postpartum sepsis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that causes women to have irregular menstrual cycles.

Women who do not get their periods because of excessive exercise, stress, weight loss, etc., suffer from Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea.

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a condition where a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs before she is 40.

Other follicular disorders.

In males, infertility is caused by:

Males older than 40 or older face difficulty in conceiving.

Males are overweight or obese.

Testicular failure to produce sperm.

Abnormal function of sperm and its quality.

Types of Infertility

There are basically two types of fertility. Let us take a closer look at each of them and understand them better.

Primary infertility

Secondary infertility

Primary Infertility:

Primary infertility is when couples are unable to conceive even if they have regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for over a year. Primary infertility is caused by:

Ovulatory disorders: conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome can interrupt regular ovulation.

Infertility due to male: problems like low sperm count, poor mobility of sperm, abnormal morphology of sperm, and also structural abnormalities in reproductive organs.

Blockage of the fallopian tube: A blockage of the fallopian tube can obstruct the passage of an egg from the ovary to the uterus, preventing fertilization.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.

Other than this, age, lifestyle, chronic illness, genetics, and so on affect primary infertility.

Secondary Infertility

People who have had one or more children before and are now having trouble getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term are said to have secondary infertility. When a couple has secondary infertility, they have already had at least one healthy baby. This is different from primary infertility, where the couple has never had a child.

Secondary infertility can be caused by a number of things, such as biological, medical, and social issues. One thing that both men and women can have in common is a drop in fertility that comes with getting older. Men may have less and lower-quality sperm as they get older, and women may have changes in the amount and quality of their eggs.

A full medical exam of both partners is usually needed to diagnose secondary infertility. This includes looking at their medical history, doing physical exams, and doing different tests, like hormone testing, ultrasounds, or hysterosalpingographies for women and semen analysis for men.

What is the difference between primary and secondary infertility?

When a couple tries to conceive for six to twelve months without success, it is referred to as primary infertility. Secondary infertility is when a couple has already given birth successfully before but is unable to conceive afterward. Although the origins of both kinds of infertility are identical, their emotional effects are not. Fertility treatments are similar.

Secondary infertility, affecting 12.5% of couples trying to conceive, is equally common as primary infertility, accounting for 50% of all cases.

Types of secondary infertility

Secondary infertility is not as commonly discussed as primary infertility, but a lot of couples across the globe suffer from the same. Let us undertsand it’s different types:

1. Temporary secondary infertility: In this type of infertility, couples may be unable to conceive only for a limited period due to stress, lifestyle changes, or temporary health conditions. Once these problems are resolved, they can consume again.

2. Permanent Secondary infertility: This type of infertility involves more complex and long-term problems that avoid conception, like age medical conditions or irreversible surgical procedures.

SYMPTOMS OF SECONDARY INFERTILITY

A woman is diagnosed with secondary infertility if she has frequent intercourse without using contraception but is unable to conceive for more than a year.

Some symptoms that show you have fertility issues;

In females:

Alterations to your menstrual cycle: Random or irregular cycles may indicate issues with ovulation.

Pelvic pain might indicate endometriosis or fibroids, a disorder in which tissue resembling the womb's lining develops in other body parts.

Heavy or painful periods: These could indicate endometriosis or fibroids, growths in the womb.

Male infertility typically doesn't show any apparent signs. To rule out any possible reproductive concerns, such as problems with the generation or transport of your sperm, you may need to get tested by a medical professional.

Causes of secondary infertility

1. Age-related issues: Women’s age is a significant problem when it comes to infertility. As they age, it affects the egg's quality and quantity.

2. Hormonal imbalance: Medical situations like polycystic ovary syndrome or thyroid disorders can cause hormonal imbalance and fertility.

3. Pelvic problems: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or other infections lead to scarring or damage to the fallopian tube, which makes it difficult for eggs to reach the uterus.

4. Due to male problems, low sperm count, poor sperm mobility, or quality led to secondary infertility.

5. Scar tissue: Scar tissue from previous surgeries, such as C-sections or other pelvic surgeries, may obstruct fertility.

6. Lifestyle: Unwanted habits in life, overstress, usage of excessive alcohol, smoking, obesity, and exposure to environmental factors may cause infertility.

7. Genital infections: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an illness of the female reproductive system. About 1 in 8 females with a history of PID has trouble becoming pregnant.

8. Genetic disorders such as myotonic dystrophy, Klinefelter syndrome, and Y-chromosome microdeletion can result in low or absent sperm counts, which can impact the generation of both testosterone and sperm.

Diagnosis of secondary infertility

Regular women's ovulation: Ensuring that ovulation occurs regularly during the woman’s menstrual cycle.

Analysis: Semen is analyzed to check sperm count, mobility, and structural features.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG): This procedure involves taking X-ray images to examine blockages, abnormalities, or irregularities of the fallopian tube or uterus.

Testing of hormones: Eesting hormone levels such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone through blood tests.

Ultrasound: Ultrasound technology to examine reproductive organs.

Laparoscopy: A surgical process to detect the abnormalities of pelvic organs, mainly endometriosis.

Treatment for secondary infertility

Standard treatment for secondary infertility which most medical practitioners suggest for couples with secondary infertility are as follows:

1. In vitro fertilization (IVF): It is a procedure that includes the fusing of a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm in a laboratory.

2. Intrauterine insemination (IUI): It is the process of inserting the best quality sperm directly into the uterus of a woman to fertilize an egg.

3. Surgery: surgeries to correct the blockage of fallopian tubes or abnormalities in the uterine.

4. Surrogacy: Gestational surrogacy is another option for these kinds of cases.

5. Medications: Consumption of medicines to increase ovulation in women or sperm production.

6. Intracytoplasmic Sperm injection (ICSI): This method is used in addition to the standard IVF procedure. Following the egg retrieval step in IVF, the technique entails manually inserting one sperm cell into an egg for fertilization. Increasing the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or treating male factor infertility issues frequently calls for ICSI IVF.

7. Lifestyle change: Switching to a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking, and managing stress can lead to fertility.

Dealing with emotional challenges

Secondary infertility can be emotionally overwhelming, and there is a chance that individuals may experience stress, guilt, and grief. This can be avoided through counseling or support groups. Open communication helps to improve communication and strengthen the emotional bond. The main thing to know about emotional challenges is to understand the medical aspects related to secondary infertility and be aware of the treatments available.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether it is primary or secondary infertility, it affects millions of couples and has a significant impact on families and communities. Not being able to get pregnant even after giving birth to children will cause excruciating pain to the individual. It makes them emotionally unstable and struggles to accept the truth that their motherhood has taken away. Seeking the right treatment and asking for help whenever needed is the best solution to the problems that secondary infertility puts forward.

Why is MMC IVF a better choice?

MMC IVF is a leading fertility clinic in Dubai, helping couples worldwide complete their family with world-class fertility specialists. We also offer medical concierge services, so we take care of everything from travel to stay to treatment. All you have to do is make an appointment at +971 56 404 5330 or email us at info@mmcivf.com. We will get back to you promptly. The best part is that you can stay home and talk to our specialists online before deciding. In addition, you can request a second opinion on the diagnosis and treatment you already are on. Contact MMC IVF, and we will make an appointment to get things started.