Secondary infertility refers to a condition where a person is unable to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term following the birth of one or more biological children.

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 01, 2025
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Infertility is divided into primary infertility and secondary infertility. Primary infertility refers to never having been pregnant before, which is called primary infertility. Secondary infertility generally occurs in individuals who have had children or a history of miscarriage and have been unable to conceive again after trying for a year, thus constituting secondary infertility. It is essential for those with secondary infertility to undergo relevant fertility tests at a hospital. Typically, the clinical evaluation includes a semen analysis for the male partner, and for the female partner, tests such as Mycoplasma and Chlamydia detection, endocrine examinations, immunological tests, and assessments for fallopian tube patency and related endocrine tests. Generally, through these tests, the cause of secondary infertility can be identified, and treatment can be tailored based on the results. In cases of secondary infertility, the vast majority can achieve conception through targeted treatment.

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Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
1min 16sec home-news-image

How to diagnose infertility

When a couple lives together, has regular sexual intercourse without contraception for over a year, and does not conceive, it is termed infertility. If it concerns the female, it is called infertility, and if it concerns the male, it is called sterility. If a woman has previously been pregnant or has a history of childbirth or pregnancy, it is known as secondary infertility. If she has never been pregnant or had a childbirth, it is considered primary infertility. The same categories apply to males: those with a history of fathering a child, regardless of with which partner, are described as having secondary sterility, whereas those who have never impregnated a woman suffer from primary sterility. To diagnose infertility or sterility, one needs to undergo relevant medical checks at a hospital's reproductive medicine department. These examinations include ovulation monitoring, endocrine tests, gynecological examinations for women, and semen analyses and fallopian tube inspections for men, among others.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
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The seven items of infertility are as follows:

In the examination items for infertility, the seven-item infertility tests are often mentioned. These seven tests include: anti-sperm antibody test, anti-endometrial antibody test, anti-zona pellucida antibody test, anti-trophoblast antibody test, anti-chorionic gonadotropin antibody test, anti-zinc ion antibody test, and anti-ovarian antibody test. Each of these tests targets different conditions. The anti-sperm antibody test and anti-endometrial antibody test are mainly used for the auxiliary diagnosis of immunological infertility. The anti-trophoblast antibody test is mainly used for diagnosing recurrent miscarriage. The anti-chorionic antibody test is primarily for the diagnostic examination of threatened miscarriage. The anti-zona pellucida antibody test is used mainly for the auxiliary diagnosis of premature ovarian failure. The anti-ovarian antibody test is used for conditions such as premature ovarian failure, infertility, menstrual disorders, etc. The anti-chorionic antibody test plays a role in the diagnosis of threatened miscarriage, and the anti-zinc ion antibody test is used for recurrent miscarriage and stillbirth and other related diseases.

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Written by Zou Fu Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is infertility treated?

For the treatment of infertility, it is necessary to address the specific causes of infertility. For instance, infertility caused by partial fallopian tube blockage can be treated conservatively, such as using traditional Chinese medicine enemas and external applications. In cases of severe fallopian tube blockage or blockage at the isthmic part, surgery or in vitro fertilization may be required. Additionally, some women may suffer from undeveloped follicles or anovulation, which necessitates the use of Chinese or Western medicine to stimulate follicle development and ovulation. Good follicle development and ovulation are essential for conception. Furthermore, infertility can also be due to male factors, such as sperm issues, which would require the male partner to undergo treatment at a urology clinic to improve sperm quality before conception can occur.

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Written by Zhao Su Min
Obstetrics
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Why am I infertile after a cesarean section?

Infertility after cesarean section may be due to the manipulation of surgical instruments on the uterus or postoperative puerperal infection, leading to pelvic inflammation and fallopian tube blockage, resulting in infertility. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to hygiene during the puerperium after a cesarean section, monitor the recovery of the uterus and the lochia, and observe the color and odor of the lochia daily. If the uterus does not recover well, and the lochia is excessive or persists for a long time, it is important to seek medical advice early. If there is a foul odor, timely treatment is necessary to avoid chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. It is also essential to get out of bed and move around timely to prevent the formation of venous thrombosis.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
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Is soaking feet useful for infertility?

Whether soaking feet is beneficial for patients with infertility should be analyzed based on specific circumstances, rather than generalized. For patients with a cold uterus, soaking feet can increase blood circulation, relieve the coldness of the uterus, and facilitate the implantation of the embryo. However, the duration of soaking should not be too long, nor should the water be too hot, as this may affect the survival and development of the embryo. For patients who do not have a cold uterus, there is no need to soak their feet. It is advisable to consult a professional doctor about whether to soak feet or not. Ideally, consult a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner to diagnose your physical condition before deciding if you should soak your feet and for how long.