What Is Secondary Infertility? Causes, Signs, IVF and other Treatment Options of Secondary Infertility 

As per secondary infertility statistics, a leading cause of unsuccessful pregnancies, secondary infertility affects nearly 11% of US couples. This means that 1 in 10 couples who are already biological parents experience difficulty when they try to conceive the second time. However, despite being as common as cases of primary infertility, secondary infertility is not often discussed. Naturally, it’s shrouded in misconceptions and stigma and couples experiencing it feel stressed and uncertain. Here is all about causes of secondary infertility.

So, in today’s blog, you will learn what is secondary infertility, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and ways of overcoming secondary infertility.

What Is Secondary Infertility? Types of Infertility

When a woman (who has given birth before without opting for any fertility treatment) fails to get pregnant or carry a second baby to term even after having unprotected intercourse for 12 months – this condition is termed secondary infertility.

These are the two types of secondary infertility: 

1. Permanant secondary infertility: Permanent secondary infertility is a long-tasting, complex issue and can be due to chronic illness, advanced age, etc.
2. Temporary secondary infertility: Sometimes, couples face difficulty to conceive the second time for a limited period. This can be due to stress, poor lifestyle choices, etc. This is called temporary secondary infertility.

Difference Between Primary and Secondary Infertility

The only difference between primary infertility and secondary infertility is that primary infertility is for someone who has never experienced pregnancy before. Secondary infertility affects people who have been pregnant at least once.

Symptoms of Secondary Infertility in Females

What is the main sign of secondary infertility? Let’s find out:

If you and your spouse have been trying to make a baby for almost a year and the pregnancy tests results are always negative, this is an indication that you may experience secondary infertility.

Secondary Infertility in Males

Gone are the days when only women were blamed for their inability to become a mother. Now everyone knows that infertility affects both men and women.

Secondary infertility occurs in men as well. That’s because a man who was fertile in his 30s may not be as fertile in his 40s. So, although he earlier fathered a child effortlessly, this does not guarantee that impregnation will be equally easy the second time. The underlying causes for secondary male infertility are listed below.

Causes of Secondary Infertility in Males and Females

Before knowing how to treat secondary infertility, it’s crucial to understand what can contribute to secondary infertility in women. Many factors can cause secondary infertility in women, such as:

1. Age: There is a connection between age and secondary infertility. As women grow older, the fertility levels naturally decline as a part of the aging process. So, most women planning their pregnancies in their 40s need to undergo fertility treatments.
2. Pelvic inflammatory disease: Untreated PID or being affected with PID in the past can cause potential damage to one fallopian tubes. Then the eggs cannot reach the woman’s uterus, resulting in implantation failure.
3. Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal imbalances and secondary infertility can be inter-connected. After 35, hormonal imbalances are not uncommon.  Hormonal imbalances can also be a side effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (abbreviated as PCOS) or thyroid disorders that reduce the secretion of female reproductive hormones and increase the secretion of male reproductive hormones.
4. Uterine conditions: Several uterine conditions can stand in the way of embryo implantation, resulting in secondary infertility after a healthy pregnancy. Polyps and fibroids are examples of such abnormalities.
5. Lifestyle factors: Lifestyle choices can be among the causes of female secondary infertility. Secondary infertility may be due to excessive consumption of alcohol, obesity, stress, improper sleep, and a poor diet lacking vital nutrients.

Following are the causes of secondary infertility in men:

1. After 40, testosterone levels and semen quality decline rapidly in men.
2. Testicular varicocele is a condition that impacts male fertility.
3. Genetic conditions like cystic fibroids can also be responsible.
4. Alcohol abuse and smoking damage sperm.
5. Exposure to some industrial chemicals can lead to secondary infertility in men.
6. Obesity also lowers the levels of testosterone (the primary male reproductive hormone).
7. If a man underwent prostate removal, the sperm may flow backwards.
8. Genitourinary infections (like prostatitis and epididymitis) can cause temporary infertility in men.

Diagnosis of Secondary Infertility

To arrive at the cause of infertility, fertility experts check the medical histories of both partners and perform a series of tests. Hormone testing, laparoscopy, ultrasound, and ovulation tracking are standard tests for the female partner. These tests give the doctor a clear picture of the woman’s reproductive health.

For secondary infertility diagnosis in men, semen analysis is done for assessing sperm motility and sperm count.

Can You Get Pregnant with Secondary Infertility?

The answer is yes. If you think you have secondary infertility, you should not lose hope as you can become pregnant. It can take some time as first the doctor will identify the infertility causes. Medical assistance (like ICSI or IVF) might be necessary. However, with the right treatment, you can again enjoy a secondary pregnancy and deliver a healthy child.

Treatment for Secondary Infertility

Fertility specialists curate a treatment plan based on the root cause of primary or secondary infertility in a couple. These are the secondary infertility treatment options:

1. Lifestyle alterations: First, doctors encourage couples to switch to a healthy lifestyle as this can significantly improve fertility. If you are experiencing infertility, eat nutrient-rich foods, stay away from processed food, trans fat, and junk food. Quit smoking and drinking alcohol, exercise regularly, and lose weight (if you are overweight).

2. Medications: Some women need medicines/ fertility drugs that can stimulate the ovaries, helping it release multiple mature eggs. You should not take any fertility medication unless it is prescribed by your fertility specialist.

3. IVF: IVF or in vitro fertilization in an advanced procedure with a high success rate. In IVF, sperm and eggs are combined in a lab and once the eggs are fertilized, they are carefully placed back into the uterus.

4. IUI (Intrauterine insemination): Intrauterine insemination means placing sperm into a woman’s uterus and it’s done when there is an issue with sperm motility. For IUI to be successful, the sperm needs to be placed when the woman is ovulating.

5. Operation: Surgical interventions correct multiple issues like uterine fibroids, blockage in the fallopian tubes, and polyps, making it possible for the woman to cherish motherhood again.

6. Donor Options: If the male partner’s sperm is of low quality, doctors suggest using donor sperm. One can also opt for donor eggs if necessary.

To Sum Up

Lastly, the emotional impact of secondary infertility can be overwhelming for couples who are eager to welcome a second child. So, this blog intends to spread awareness about the fact that it is treatable.

Presently, there are excellent assistive reproductive technologies to treat infertility issues. Hence, when you experience secondary infertility, you should consult a reputed fertility treatment center.

Q. What are the main causes of secondary infertility?

Secondary infertility happens for various reasons like chronic stress, age, hormonal imbalances, excessive smoking, and not making healthy food choices.

Q. How is secondary infertility treated?

The treatment options for secondary infertility are assistive reproductive technologies (like IVF or IUI), surgery (removal of polyps or fibroids), fertility medications, and lifestyle modifications.

References:

What is Secondary Infertility? Causes, Treatment Options, and More

Infertility – NHS

Infertility

Secondary Infertility | Reproductive Science Center of NJ

Dr Ritu Agarwal

Dr. Ritu Agarwal is an appreciated IVF expert in Jaipur for IVF therapy, owing to her more than ten years of experience in this field. She is the top IVF specialist in Jaipur who makes every attempt to provide correct counseling and emotional support to patients in order to help them find the ideal solution for becoming parents.