Infertility is divided into several types.

Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
Updated on April 08, 2025
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Common classification methods for infertility mainly include the following types:

The first type is based on medical history, which can be divided into primary infertility and secondary infertility. Primary infertility refers to never having been pregnant; secondary infertility refers to having been pregnant before, but after trying to conceive for more than a year, despite having regular sexual intercourse without contraception, there has been no pregnancy.

The second type is based on the treatment conditions, which can be divided into absolute infertility and relative infertility. Based on the results of treatment, it can further be classified into temporary infertility and permanent infertility.

The third type is based on the causes of infertility, which can be divided into male infertility, female infertility, and infertility affecting both partners.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
56sec home-news-image

Is secondary infertility easy to treat?

If it is infertility, treatment is relatively difficult and generally not easy. First, for secondary infertility, it depends on the cause. If it's due to fallopian tube blockage, the extent of the blockage needs to be considered. If it is because the ovaries do not ovulate, then it is necessary to go to the hospital for endocrine testing. Treatment should be based on the results of the endocrine tests, and only when hormone levels are normal will there be normal ovulation and clear fallopian tubes. Without problems related to immunity, it is possible to properly prepare for pregnancy. Therefore, if it is secondary infertility, it is essential to go to the hospital for infertility-related examinations to identify any abnormalities and treat them accordingly. Both primary and secondary infertility are difficult to treat.

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Written by Luo Chun Yan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does taking emergency contraceptive pills cause infertility?

If emergency contraception is only used occasionally, it generally has a minor impact on fertility. However, frequent use of emergency contraceptives may lead to infertility. Emergency contraception usually consists of a combination of estrogen and progestin, with a high hormonal content. Its primary functions are to alter cervical mucus viscosity, hinder sperm mobility, suppress ovulation, and modify the endometrial environment in the uterus, thereby providing a contraceptive effect. Some may cause menstrual irregularities or ovulation disorders, affecting the motility of the fallopian tubes, potentially leading to ectopic pregnancies, which can cause infertility. Thus, emergency contraception should not be used as a regular method of contraception.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Can infertility ovulate?

I would like to discuss the causes of female infertility. The main causes of female infertility are ovulatory disorders and fallopian tube factors. If infertility is primarily due to fallopian tube factors, the patient does not have ovulatory disorders and can ovulate normally. Many cases of infertility are due to ovulatory disorders, which may be caused by ovarian dysfunction leading to persistent anovulation. Some are due to ovarian diseases, underdeveloped ovaries, polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure, and functional ovarian tumors. Or it could be due to dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis causing anovulation. It could also be due to endocrine metabolic diseases, such as hyperfunction or hypofunction of the thyroid or adrenal cortex, which can lead to anovulation. Therefore, in women with infertility caused by fallopian tube factors, ovulation can occur; if it is caused by ovulatory disorders, it involves ineffective ovulation or an inability to ovulate.

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Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
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What tests are done for infertility?

Couples who have lived together for more than a year and have regular sexual intercourse without using any contraception and still have not conceived are diagnosed with infertility. For men, it is referred to as sterility. Infertility requires couples to visit the reproductive medicine department for relevant infertility tests. The tests for men are simpler, primarily requiring abstinence from sexual activity for two to seven days before undergoing a semen analysis. For women, the tests vary depending on the condition but generally include the following aspects: First, blood tests related to endocrinology are conducted 2 to 4 days into menstruation. Second, from 3 to 7 days after menstruation ends, during which sexual intercourse should be avoided, tests can be conducted to check the patency of the fallopian tubes. Third, ovulation can be monitored by ultrasound from days 9 to 11 of the menstrual cycle until ovulation is confirmed. Additionally, routine gynecological examinations, including checks of the cervix and ultrasound examinations, are also conducted.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
1min 13sec home-news-image

How does infertility arise?

Infertility can be understood as the causes of infertility. We believe that the factors hindering conception are related to both the female and male partners, with the female factors accounting for 60%, male factors accounting for 30%, and factors involving both partners accounting for 10%. There are many causes of female infertility, primarily disorders related to ovulation and fallopian tube factors. Ovulation disorders include dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, ovarian diseases, endocrine metabolic diseases, and systemic diseases. Fallopian tube factors mainly include chronic fallopian tube inflammation, fallopian tube malformations, and pelvic adhesions. Then there are uterine factors, which include poor uterine development, uterine malformations, uterine adhesions, and endometrial tuberculosis. The fourth factor is related to the cervix. The fifth involves the vagina and perineum. Male infertility is mainly due to abnormalities in the semen, sexual function, and immune factors.