Secondary Infertility: Causes, Signs, Diagnosis & Treatment

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What is Secondary Infertility?

When you are experiencing trouble getting pregnant after giving birth before, this is known as secondary infertility. Secondary infertility is characterized by a prior birth that did not happen with the help of medicine or fertility procedures such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF). On the contrary, the definition of primary infertility is the inability to conceive in a person who has never given birth.

How frequent is secondary infertility then? It could come as a surprise if you’ve previously had a child struggle with conception. That being said, many individuals and couples who are trying for more children are confronted with the difficulty of secondary infertility. 

Causes of Secondary Infertility

The same factors that contribute to primary infertility also lead to secondary infertility. These include age-associated impairments in fertility, hormonal disorders, blockages in the reproductive organs such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries and lifestyle choices linked to weight gain, lack of sleep, stressful lifestyle, use of intoxicating substances. The causes of secondary infertility are similar for men. These include hormone abnormalities, lifestyle decisions and age-related concerns in fertility. However, some issues like testicular injury, genital infections or issues with ejaculation and sperm are particular concerns for men.

One of the most frequent reasons for secondary infertility is age. As a woman matures, her eggs become less plentiful and of worse quality, which raises her risk of miscarriage and lowers her chances of a successful pregnancy. A healthy woman has about a 15% chance of becoming pregnant every month by the age of 35. In contrast, men usually start to lose fertility around the age of 45. Research has indicated that older men may be more susceptible to genetic flaws in their sperm, increasing the likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth, and the transmission of specific genetic diseases.

Another common cause of Male secondary infertility is frequently caused by low-quality semen, which includes low motility and sperm count. This refers to sperm that are ill-formed or not moving correctly, which makes it more difficult for them to move and fertilize an egg.

Signs of Secondary Infertility

signs of secondary infertility

The primary indicator of secondary infertility is the inability to conceive following the birth of one or more parents. After a year of trying to conceive, your doctor might suspect secondary infertility if you’re under 35. Having regular, unprotected intercourse is the definition of trying to get pregnant. After six months of regular, unprotected intercourse, your fertilization specialist may diagnose secondary infertility if you are over 35.

 Common signs of secondary infertility include:

  • Period irregularities or insufficient menstruation: These are examples of irregular menstrual cycles.
  • Period Pain: Excruciating pain throughout the menstrual cycle or during sexual activity.
  • Modifications in Sexual Function: Problems such as male erectile dysfunction or a decline in libido.

Diagnosis of Secondary Infertility

Diagnosis of secondary infertility

It’s critical to see the best fertility specialist if you suspect you may have secondary infertility to receive a proper diagnosis. What should you anticipate from a visit to the doctor? To diagnose secondary infertility, doctors typically start by getting information about a patient’s lifestyle and medical background. They enquire about the patient’s pharmaceutical regimen. Likely, your doctor will also do a physical examination.

  • Regular periods: Ensuring that ovulation happens regularly for women throughout their menstrual cycle.
  • Hormone testing: measuring blood levels of hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
  • Sperm Analysis: Sperm count, motility, and structural characteristics are examined in semen.
  • Laparoscopy: A surgical procedure used to identify pelvic organ anomalies, primarily endometriosis.
  • Hysterosalpingography (HSG): This process uses X-rays to look for obstructions, anomalies, or irregularities in the uterus or fallopian tube.
  • Ultrasound: Reproductive organs can be examined with ultrasound technology.

Treatment Options for Secondary Infertility

A healthier diet, more exercise, and weight loss are all worthwhile adjustments to make if you’re trying to get pregnant. But you might want to visit a fertility doctor if, despite your best efforts, you haven’t been able to conceive after several months of trying. After the diagnosis has been done, If there is a concern related to pregnancy there are several treatment options for secondary infertility that are similar to those offered for primary infertility.

Our fertility specialists will work with you to determine which of the following options is best:

  • Fertility Medications: These are the primary therapies for infertility brought on by ovulation disorders. If ovulation is irregular or ceases, they can assist the ovaries in releasing an egg. Discuss your alternatives with your medical team. Figure out the advantages and disadvantages of every fertility medication by asking your medical professional.
  • IUI: The process of getting a pregnancy by intrauterine insemination (IUI) requires placing sperm into the uterus of the woman. The sperm sample is ready in our lab ahead of time. Increasing the amount of sperm injected into the uterus increases the likelihood that the egg will be fertilized.
  • IVF: Another assisted reproduction method is called IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), which includes ovarian stimulation, harvesting of eggs and sperm, fertilization, and embryo transfer. In our lab, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI, fertilises the eggs.
  • Techniques for Retrieving Sperm: If your semen contains no sperm or you are unable to ejaculate, these methods can nevertheless harvest sperm. When assisted reproductive techniques are planned and sperm counts are low or irregular, sperm retrieval procedures may also be performed.
  • Injection of intracytoplasmic sperm (ICSI): This technique is applied in addition to the typical IVF process. One sperm cell is manually inserted into an egg for fertilization in IVF after the egg retrieval step. ICSI is frequently required to increase the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or to cure male factor infertility difficulties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How Much Does IVF Cost?

A: The location, facility, and IVF procedure requirements all have a significant impact on the typical cost of in vitro fertilization. The average cost of an IVF treatment is between Rs 90,000 and Rs 1,50,000. The price may change based on the circumstances.

Q: How ICSI Treatment Is Not Like IVF?

A: ICSI IVF is a specific type of IVF used mainly for cases of severe male infertility treatments in which a single sperm is inserted directly into an egg. The ICSI treatment cost is higher than that of a typical IVF cycle due to this extra step.

Q: What Elements Affect the Cost of IVF?

A: The cost of IVF is determined by several variables, such as the clinic’s location, the medical team’s level of experience, the intricacy of the case and the need for extra treatments or services.

Q: How Can I Discover the Finest Reproductive Clinic?

A: When selecting the top fertility clinic, consider the variety of services provided, patient testimonials, staff qualifications, and success rates of the facility. It’s a good idea to look for the best fertility centre nearby because convenience to your home is another important consideration.

Imprimis IVF: Your Partner In Overcoming Your Challenges

Going through secondary infertility can be complicated and emotionally draining. Nonetheless, there is hope for couples who are having difficulty conceiving again because of improvements in fertility therapies and the accessibility of specialized fertility facilities.

Although it may be a difficult path, growing your family is possible with the correct assistance and medical knowledge. Our goal at Imprimis IVF one of the best IVF centres in Srinagar is to support you in not giving up your dream of becoming a parent by offering thorough care and support.

All You Need to Know About Preimplantation Genetic Testing

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While trying to get pregnant can be a happy experience, it can also be difficult for some couples. Consider preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) if you’re considering in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a therapy option for infertility. With the use of this cutting-edge method, it is possible to screen embryos for genetic defects before implantation, which may improve your chances of becoming pregnant and giving birth to a healthy child.

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) finds genetic variations in embryos produced through in vitro fertilization or IVF procedures. Before embryos are inserted into the uterus, PGT is carried out. Reducing the likelihood of transferring an embryo with a particular genetic disorder or specific chromosomal abnormalities is the aim of paired-parent technology (PGT).

Understanding Preimplantation Genetic Testing

PGT is a collection of sophisticated genomic tests carried out on IVF-created embryos. These tests look for chromosomal abnormalities or single-gene problems by analyzing the genetic composition of the embryos. This knowledge can be very beneficial for couples that have:

  • A history of recurrent miscarriages
  • Irregularities of the chromosome
  • Genetic diseases they want to avoid passing on to their children

There are three types of genetic testing of an embryo before transfer:

1. PGT-A:

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, or PGT-A, is a screening method used to detect chromosomal abnormalities in embryos, which are assumed to be the most frequent cause of IVF treatment failure. As an illustration, the most prevalent chromosomal condition that we are aware of that has an extra copy of chromosome 21 is Down syndrome. It is typically advised for older women over 35 who are trying to conceive. 

2. PGT-M:

When one or both genetic parents have known genetic abnormalities, preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene disorder (PGT-M) refers particularly to the process of testing an embryo to see if it too possesses the genetic problem. The PGT-M process offers an alternative to current post-conception diagnostic procedures, which often include the tough option of terminating the pregnancy if the results are unfavourable because only unaffected embryos are sent to the uterus for implantation. Right now, PGT-M is the only way to prevent having a kid impacted by a genetic condition before implantation.

3. PGT-SR:

It is a test used to distinguish between embryos that have additional or missing genetic material due to translocation or rearrangement (unbalanced) and embryos that have the proper amount of genetic material (balanced/normal). PGT-SR increases the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy following an IVF cycle and decreases the risk of a miscarriage, failed implantation, or having a kid with a chromosomal issue.

At Imprimis IVF, We can accurately identify balanced and normal embryos. This makes it possible to transfer embryos without chromosomal rearrangement carriers, avoiding the rearrangement’s transmission to subsequent generations. Schedule your appointment now!

The Preimplantation Genetic Testing Procedure

PGT begins with traditional in vitro fertilization (IVF), which involves retrieving and fertilizing eggs in a laboratory setting. The embryos are cultured until they reach a stage known as a blastocyst, which typically occurs on the fifth or sixth day following egg collection. At this point of development, certain cells are destroyed.

The genetic material (DNA) from the biopsied cells is then tested to see if the faulty gene exists in each embryo. After the cell biopsy, blastocysts are stored until the test results are ready. Once normal embryos have been discovered, they can be safely delivered to the uterus. Excess intact embryos are frozen for later use, whereas defective embryos are discarded. It is one of the most complex but also crucial infertility procedures.

Fertility doctors perform these procedures for two main reasons. One is to assess whether embryos have genetic abnormalities, which frequently cause failed implantation and miscarriage leading to unsuccessful IVF. The second goal is to identify embryos with genetic flaws that could result in a child with a fatal genetic abnormality or inheritable disorders like muscular dystrophy.

Embryos with such faults are not allowed to be put into the mother’s womb for a pregnancy. According to research, genetic mistakes in embryos are a major cause of both failed pregnancy and live birth. Couples interested in PGT testing should consult with an expert fertilization specialist to discuss available options.

The Cost of Preimplantation Genetic Testing

If you are considering using a fertility clinic, the majority of them can give you an idea of how much IVF pricing is decided for the PGT procedure. Some may provide PGT as part of a “package,” but make sure to examine the services provided by each reproductive clinic to make sure there aren’t any additional costs. Request a cost worksheet that details every stage of the PGT process from early pregnancy monitoring to pre-cycle services because calculating the cost of in vitro fertilization is crucial if you are on a budget.

Many factors vary from patient to patient when estimating the cost of having a child via PGT. In vitro fertilization is a must for all PGT patients to retrieve embryos for biopsy. Transferring an embryo or embryos that are not impacted by the known hereditary genetic disease for which it is at risk, is the aim of PGT.

The following are some variables that may affect PGT and IVF costs:

  • The required number of IVF cycles
  • Count of embryos to be tested and biopsied
  • Pattern of inheritance for the genetic illness
  • Technology required
  • The specific IVF clinic

Frequently Asked Questions about PGT

Q: What are the different types of PGT?

A: There are three types of PGT:

  • PGT-A: Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy
  • PGT-M-Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders
  • PGT-SR-Preimplantation genetic testing for structural rearrangements
Q. Who can benefit from PGT?

A: PGT can help couples with-

  • A history of repeated miscarriages
  • Chromosome abnormalities
  • A family history of a certain genetic illness that they want to avoid passing on to their babies.
  • Women over the age of 35
Q: Does PGT ensure a successful pregnancy?

A: Normal PGT results do not guarantee a successful pregnancy or avoid miscarriage, This is a very common misconception. Embryos with normal PGT results of any type can still fail to implant or result in a miscarriage

Q: What is the average cost of IVF and PGT procedures?

A: The average cost of an IVF cycle in India ranges from ₹2.5 lakhs to ₹4 lakhs. The cost may vary depending on additional drugs, procedures (such as ICSI), and the type of clinic.

PGT testing typically costs between ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 per embryo. The number of embryos tested will affect the total cost.

Why Choose Imprimis IVF 

Imprimis IVF is a renowned IVF Centre in Srinagar that specializes in helping couples fulfil their dream of becoming parents. We provide a broad range of fertility services, including modern therapies such as IUI, IVF, ICSI, and more.

Imprimis IVF recognizes that cost can be a major concern for couples considering reproductive treatment. We attempt to provide fair pricing and various payment choices for PGT as well as IVF packages, We try to keep IVF treatment charges as economical as possible. Please contact our staff to get a personalized price on PGT and IVF.

Schedule your appointment and get a consultation from the best IVF doctor available at our facility!