Secondary infertility is how it comes about?

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 22, 2025
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Secondary infertility is when a woman has been pregnant before but has not conceived after a year of not using contraception. The causes of secondary infertility are divided into male factors and female factors. Common male infertility factors include older age or habitual smoking and drinking, leading to decreased sperm quality. Female infertility factors are more numerous, such as excessive sexual activity during reproductive years or weak immune system leading to pelvic inflammatory disease. This inflammation can affect the fallopian tubes, causing blockages and resulting in infertility due to tubal factors; it can also spread to the endometrium, causing endometritis and altering the intrauterine environment, making conception difficult. Some women may suffer from endometriosis, which can also lead to infertility. In some cases, women who have had uterine procedures may experience adhesions in the cervical canal and uterine cavity or abnormal uterine shapes, leading to infertility. Additionally, some women experience significant blood loss after childbirth, leading to pituitary necrosis, hormonal imbalances, and ovulation disorders, which can affect normal conception.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
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Can Chinese medicine be taken for infertility?

In our clinical work, many patients often have this doubt: Can infertility be treated with Chinese medicine? It can be clearly stated that many diseases can achieve better results through the adjustment with Chinese medicine, and infertility is no exception. However, everyone's basic situation is different, and Chinese medicine cannot guarantee the treatment of all infertility cases. There are many diseases that cause infertility, and many reasons stem from either the male or female partner. There are both functional diseases and organic causes, making it not a simple disease. Issues with either the male or female partner can lead to infertility. It is advised to visit a local reputable public hospital for a detailed examination to determine the cause and then receive targeted treatment, whether through traditional Chinese medicine, surgery, or assisted reproductive technology.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
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What is infertility?

Infertility refers to the condition where, despite a couple having regular sexual intercourse without contraception for more than a year, the woman does not become pregnant, at which point infertility is diagnosed. Infertility includes primary infertility and secondary infertility. Primary infertility refers to those who have never been pregnant before; secondary infertility refers to individuals who have previously given birth or been pregnant but later, despite trying to conceive for over a year without contraception and having regular sexual intercourse, are unable to become pregnant.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does taking contraceptive pills cause infertility?

Contraceptives are categorized into short-acting, long-acting, or emergency contraceptives. Commonly, long-acting contraceptives, such as those taken orally once a month, have significant side effects. Prolonged use can lead to menstrual irregularities, facial pigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and amenorrhea. Therefore, long-term use of long-acting contraceptives may result in decreased ovarian function, leading to infertility. Generally, emergency contraceptives and short-acting contraceptives have relatively minor side effects. Occasional use does not have a significant impact, but prolonged use can cause menstrual disorders and hormonal imbalances, which in turn can lead to infertility. Thus, contraceptives are not suitable for everyone, and it is not recommended for women who have never given birth to use oral contraceptives for contraception.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can cold in the uterus cause infertility?

Cold in the uterus can lead to infertility. It can affect the vitality of sperm and create an environment unsuitable for fetal development. Women with cold in the uterus should avoid getting cold, especially avoid eating cold drinks and cold foods during menstruation and can eat more blood-nourishing foods like donkey-hide gelatin and deer antler glue after menstruation. There are many treatment methods for cold in the uterus, including using Chinese medicine to warm the kidneys and dispel cold, as well as external application of Chinese medicine and acupuncture. During menstruation, patients with cold in the uterus should eat more walnuts, dates, and peanuts to nourish qi and warm the body.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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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.