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A Helpful Guide to Secondary Infertility: Definition, Causes, and Relief

Brenda Albano

July 18, 2022

Helpful Guide to Secondary Infertility Definition, Causes, and Relief


Primary infertility isn’t the only cause of infertility. Secondary infertility (SI) is also common.

It shares many of the same symptoms as other kinds of infertility. Secondary infertility occurs when you are unable to conceive or bring a baby to full term after a previous successful pregnancy. Men or women can be the cause of infertility. Induced ovulation medicines, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and surgery are all possibilities for treatment but are not the reason you came to our site. Most likely you are searching for natural alternatives to these kinds of treatments.

This article is meant to be an overview and introduction to your concerns related to secondary infertility, like definition, causes, and treatments. From here you will want to search our blog for anything that might apply. Ready? Let’s see.

Secondary Infertility Definition

Here is the brief answer to the question, “What is Secondary Infertility?” It is the inability to conceive a child or carry a pregnancy to term after giving birth is known as SI. The previous delivery must have occurred without reproductive medicines or therapies, such as in-vitro fertilization, to be classified as SI. It is usually identified after six months to a year of unsuccessful attempts to conceive. Recurrent pregnancy loss is a disorder in which individuals and couples can conceive but cannot take the pregnancy to term.

Symptoms You Can Look For If You’re Having Trouble Conceiving

Secondary infertility should be suspected if a man and woman aged 35 or younger have had unprotected sex for at least 12 months (or six months if older than 35) without conceiving. This is particularly true for women over 30 who have had a pelvic inflammatory disease, painful periods, irregular menstrual cycles, or miscarriages, as well as men who have low sperm counts.

Can You Get Pregnant with Secondary Infertility?

The quick answer is yes; you can get pregnant if you have secondary infertility. However, you may need the help of a natural fertility expert. While most women over 35 still have eggs, the eggs are of lower quality, making it more difficult to conceive.

Doctors at RMA discovered that a woman’s age impacts the viability of embryos generated from her eggs.

How Common is Secondary Infertility?

Infertility, both primary and secondary, is widespread. Infertility affects approximately 12.5 percent of couples trying to conceive. Secondary infertility accounts for around 50% of all occurrences of infertility.

6 Secondary Infertility Causes In Women

Know thy enemy. Secondary infertility in women can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

1. Problems with egg quantity or quality

Women are born with a certain number of eggs and cannot produce more after giving birth. The number of eggs left in a woman’s ovaries decreases as she approaches her 40s and beyond, and the remaining eggs are more likely to have chromosomal problems than in earlier years but that does not mean they will. Other reasons for a limited number of good quality follicles/eggs in women who aren’t concerned about their age include autoimmune or genetic issues, as well as past surgery or radiation.

2. Problems with the fallopian tubes

Pelvic infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea can obstruct the fallopian tubes, which transfer eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.

3. Breastfeeding

If a mother breastfeeds her infant, her body temporarily ceases ovulating or releasing eggs for fertilization.

4. Weight increase or other lifestyle changes

In some people, weight gain can contribute to ovarian dysfunction. Specific diets can have an impact on fertility. Medications can affect fertility.

5. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is when tissue that ordinarily grows inside the uterus grows outside of it, such as on the ovaries or the intestinal surfaces.

6. PCOS

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormonal condition marked by abnormally long or infrequent menstrual periods. A woman with this disorder has an excess of male hormones in her body, and her ovaries don’t release eggs regularly or they don’t expel properly from the ovary due to hormonal factors. This causes cysts to form on the outside of the ovary.

But what about before the cysts actually form? Another reason for PCOS can be due to high estradiol ratio to testosterone and progesterone. DIM supplements like DIM 150 help to stop these other hormones from converting to excess estrogen, thereby restoring the delicate balance of hormones throughout the menstrual cycle. Oftentimes also, a little bit of progesterone at the correct time of the cycle can offset excess estrogens, just enough to allow ovulation to occur. Many have found Cycle Balance Progesterone Oil to be perfect in a situation such as this because it comes in a premeasured 5ml pump bottle. This allows just a small amount of progesterone to cause estrogen to drop at the right time for an LH surge and ovulation to occur.

8 Causes of Secondary Infertility in Men

Secondary infertility in men can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

1. Testosterone levels are low

Testosterone is essential for sperm production. Age, injury to the urinary or genital organs, and certain medical diseases can cause testosterone levels to drop. These are some of the conditions:

  • Infections of the genital area.
  • Thyroid problems.
  • Diabetes.
  • Tuberculosis.
  • Mumps.
  • Smallpox.
  • Diseases of the blood.
  • Benign tumors.
  • High estradiol – most often evident by chest fat deposits / gynecomastia.
2. Varicocele of the testes

The scrotum, or the sack of skin that encases the testicles, has enlarged veins. This is a prevalent cause of infertility in men due to poor sperm production. Testicular varicocele affects about 30% of infertile men.

3. Semen of poor quality

Semen is the sperm-carrying fluid. Semen quality tends to deteriorate after the age of 40. Raising NO (nitric oxide) levels has been found to help with both low sperm quantity and poor semen quality. L-arginine is a precursor to NO and may be helpful to men with either or both of these issues.

4. Prostate enlargement

It is a condition in which the prostate gland grows more prominent. This can reduce sperm count and make it difficult to ejaculate normally (the discharge of semen from the body). Chrysin with DIM and Swedish Flower Pollen Extract have been studied for their effects on enlarged prostate and ED.

5. The prostate is removed

Cancer or other illnesses may necessitate the removal of the prostate. The removal of the prostate can cause the flow of sperm to reverse.

6. Hypogonadism with a late-onset

This is a condition in which hormone secretion is reduced. Naturally raising testosterone, when possible, is the best line of defense. As stated above, high estradiol in both men and women is often the culprit to low testosterone. Having hormones tested at home is a great start.

7. Sperm count

Certain medications have an impact on sperm count and quality. (Also see #3 above – Poor semen quality.) Antibiotics and blood pressure medications are among the pharmaceuticals in this category. Treatments for the following disorders can also alter sperm quality.

  • Prostate cancer
  • Prostate enlargement.
  • Infections caused by fungi
  • Acidity in the stomach
  • Infections of the urinary tract.
  • Ulcerative colitis
8. Usage of harmful lubricants

If commercial sexual lubricants harmful to sperm are used, that leads to infertility. Peanut, safflower, vegetable oils; raw egg white; and petroleum jelly are nontoxic natural lubricants.

How Do You Overcome Secondary Infertility? Know the Secondary Infertility Treatments and Natural Help

  • Treatments are identical regardless of whether the infertility is primary or secondary. Surgical treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) (a procedure that involves surgically implanting sperm into the uterus of the woman in order to increase her chances of becoming pregnant) can be helpful.

Infertility in men can be treated surgically in the testicular varicocele. Antioxidants and anti-aging vitamins can help men become more fertile. Drug therapy can also help to increase the quality of sperm. But using drugs can have side effects.

  • Although the surgical treatments are good, natural fertility supplements still have their own place and usually the reason couples look to our blog for suggestions.
    Natural products do not bring with them the side effects found in allopathic medicines and procedures. The natural approach is not harmful to the rest of the body while trying to fix one part. Whole Family Products like Mucuna Pruriens, Infertility Cleanse, Fertile Male, Fertile Lady Virility Complex can prove helpful as natural remedies for both primary and secondary infertility in males and females. Fertile Lady contains all-natural herbal ingredients that have been used to increase fertility (especially when the cycle is beginning to short – luteal phase defect and have aphrodisiac effects.
  • Mucuna Pruriens is an encapsulated, herbal supplement derived from Ayurvedic traditional medicine. It may aid in improving male virility. For the best possible physical performance, a man needs endurance.
  • A synergistic blend of herbs and extracts that enhance men’s vitality and general health make up the formulation of the Virility Complex. It makes sense for men to first try to regain their vigor and build up stamina for a longer and more fulfilling sexual performance and hopefully stronger swimmers.

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