By Dr. Verónica Corona García (Gynaecologist – Reg. No. 280866947).
Secondary infertility may be an unfamiliar concept to many, but for those experiencing it, it becomes a daily battle filled with mixed emotions. Secondary infertility occurs when a couple, after successfully having one child, struggles to conceive again.The reasons can vary, but despair and confusion are common emotions many faces.
The causes of secondary infertility are practically the same as those of primary infertility. Secondary infertility can affect women, men, or even both partners. It is essential not to waste time in cases of secondary infertility, especially if the mother is over 35 years old.
After one year (or six months for women over 35) of unsuccessfully trying to conceive, the couple should seek advice from a specialist. The specialist will guide them through the necessary fertility tests. It may even be necessary earlier if risk factors for infertility are detected (such as infrequent periods or endometriosis).
Primary infertility occurs when a couple without children cannot conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse.To diagnose primary infertility, fertility tests are required to determine specific causes. Once the results are obtained, treatment can range from addressing underlying conditions to using assisted reproductive technologies to achieve pregnancy.
The main causes of secondary infertility in women include:
The main causes of secondary infertility in men include:
It is worth noting that age plays a significant role, especially for women. On one hand, delayed motherhood is an increasingly common reality. Additionally, couples seeking to have a second child are naturally older.Time affects the quantity and quality of gametes produced by both men and women.
Secondary infertility is diagnosed in much the same way as primary infertility, with the only difference being that symptoms appear after a previous pregnancy has occurred. Generally, the specialist will gather information about the couple's medical, reproductive, and general health history, including a review of previous pregnancies, births, and miscarriages, as well as any history of illnesses, surgeries, or previous treatments.
Gynecological exams will also be performed to assess the state of the woman's organs and measure her ovarian reserve, as well as hormone tests and semen analysis of the man. Depending on the results, the specialist will perform other tests that may be genetic or related to external factors (such as lifestyle and environmental factors).
It is important to note that secondary infertility does not always have a clear or single cause, and sometimes problems can be found that affect fertility over time, even after a previous pregnancy has occurred without difficulties.
After experiencing the happiness of a natural pregnancy, their plans to expand their family were met with the reality of secondary infertility. With determination and courage, they embarked on the journey toward in vitro fertilization.
When Ruslán and Claudia decided to conceive again, they anticipated joyful moments and a smooth process. However, medical tests revealed a blockage in Claudia’s fallopian tubes, requiring a laparoscopic intervention. Faced with this challenge, they chose to move forward and opted for IVF-Life Alicante.
While secondary infertility has no definitive cure, assisted reproductive treatments allow couples with this condition to have children again.Treatments for secondary infertility are similar to those used for primary infertility and are chosen based on specific causes in each case. Some treatments include:
When the patient’s ovarian reserve is low or there are ovulation problems, specialists may resort to ovarian stimulation. The goal is to ensure that all "recruited" follicles in a natural cycle mature instead of degrading, thereby improving the chances of pregnancy.
Artificial insemination (AI) involves placing sperm—previously prepared in the laboratory—into the uterus during ovulation. This technique is recommended for young women (under 35) and mild cases of secondary infertility, such as slight sperm abnormalities or ovulation issues.
IVF involves extracting eggs from the ovaries and fertilizing them in the lab (in vitro) with sperm from either the partner or an anonymous donor. It is a solution for blocked fallopian tubes, low ovarian reserve, or unexplained infertility.
In cases where the problem is the quality of the eggs or semen, the fertility specialist may consider treatment with double gamete donation.
In certain cases, surgery may be necessary to repair blocked fallopian tubes or remove cysts or fibroids affecting fertility.
Depending on the cause, specialists may prescribe medications to treat ovulation problems or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). At IVF-Life we offer a wide variety of assisted reproduction treatments to address both primary and secondary infertility cases. Depending on the causes of infertility, specialists will provide you with a fully personalized treatment plan tailored to your case.
After age 35, female fertility declines drastically. Therefore, when planning pregnancy at this age or later becomes an option, fertility preservation is the best choice. Egg freezing allows you to halt their aging process while preserving their quality. This ensures higher chances of successful pregnancy despite any time that may pass.
Mascarenhas MN., Flaxman SR., Boerma T., Vanderpoel S., Stevens GA.
National, regional, and global trends in infertility prevalence since 1990: a systematic analysis of 277 health surveys.
PLoS Medicine.
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Global analysis of the prevalence of infertility since 1990:
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001356
World Health Organization.
Infertility prevalence estimates, 1990–2021.
World Health Organization (WHO).
2023;
Global estimates of infertility prevalence between 1990 and 2021:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/978920068315
Carson SA., Kallen AN.
Diagnosis and Management of Infertility: A Review.
JAMA.
2021;
65-76
Review on the diagnosis and management of infertility:
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.4788
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Fertility evaluation of infertile women: a committee opinion.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
2021;
1255-1265
Recommendations for the evaluation of female fertility:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.08.038
Privacy Policy
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