What is secondary infertility of unknown origin and how does it affect couples' fertility? Is there a cure or prevention for secondary infertility? Please see the article below
What is called secondary infertility of unknown cause?
Infertility is a condition of husband and wife after a year of living together, having sex on average 2-3 times / week, not using any contraceptive methods but the wife is still not pregnant. To be able to treat this disease, it is necessary to find the exact cause of the disease.
Infertility is divided into 2 types: primary infertility and secondary infertility. Primary infertility is a condition in which the husband and wife have normal sex, have not used contraception for a year but have never conceived a successful pregnancy.
Whereas secondary infertility occurs in couples who have had a child or conceived at least once but are not able to conceive in the future even though they have not used the methods. contraception and normal sex for 1 year.
This is a phenomenon that is becoming more and more popular in modern society today. There is a fact that many couples suffer from secondary infertility but cannot determine the cause through diagnosis and intensive tests because the structure of the reproductive organs is not abnormal.
However, with the advancement of science and technology, secondary infertility of unknown causes is not incurable. Couples that unfortunately fall into this situation should not be too worried or thinking, but refer to the popular secondary infertility treatments below.
Treatment for secondary infertility of unknown cause with artificial insemination (IUI)
IUI (Intra-uterine insemination) is the most advanced, popular, and least expensive fertility method available today. This is the technique of selecting the strongest sperm of the husband and then pumping it into the wife's uterus at the time of ovulation.
A filtered, selective amount of spermatozoa (eliminating weak, deformed sperm) is inserted into a small catheter, inserted through the cervix and pumped directly into the uterine cavity, with the basic principle. This is to increase the number of mobile spermatozoa that reach the distance away from the oviduct, where the sperm and the egg meet and are able to conceive.
The success rate of doing IUI is between 10 - 26%. Before deciding to do so, couples should prepare themselves mentally and determine that IUI may not be successful the first time around.
The pregnancy rate of this method depends much on the age of the woman. If the wife's age is 40 or older, it doesn't work. In addition, the success rate also depends on how long secondary infertility occurred. The highest effect when implementing this measure is 1 year from normal sex without having children. The success rate drops markedly when the infertility period is longer than 6 years.
The IUI process
Egg production : Eggs can naturally release or stimulate ovulation. Ovulation stimulants may also be prescribed on day 2 or 3 of the cycle.
: The wife will be monitored to determine the time of ovulation using a hormone test device or an ultrasound. When the egg is ready for fertilization, the husband's sperm is pumped in about 24-48 hours after ovulation.
Sperm filtration : This is the process of selecting healthy sperm and washing to remove part of the uterine contraction stimulant in semen and dead cells, harmful microorganisms. The washed spermatozoa is concentrated into a small amount of solution about 0.2 - 0.3 ml. If more, sperm is likely to flow back out after being pumped into the uterus and also stimulate uterine contractions.
Sperm pump : The sperm is inserted through a thin, long catheter through the cervix. This is a very gentle trick; After pumping, women should lie down in place for about 20 minutes, then go back to their normal activities, take care to limit the heavy work and put supportive drugs as prescribed by the doctor.
IVF in vitro fertilization
Couples with unexplained secondary infertility who have had IUI many times but have not been successful can consider and consult a doctor for IVF in vitro fertilization.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a technique of fertilizing the husband's sperm and the wife's eggs in a laboratory to create embryos. The successful embryo is then sent back to the womb's uterus for implantation and pregnancy begins.
The rate of successful in vitro fertilization in Vietnam is 35-40%, a decrease of 2-10% for older women (after age 40). Mother's age is one of the key factors determining the success rate of IVF. The younger the woman is, the better the quantity and quality of eggs. If combined with the husband's healthy sperm, the more good embryos are formed, the higher the chance of successful embryo transfer.
The procedure of performing in vitro fertilization
Size of egg : ovarian stimulation drugs were injected daily for 10-12 days. When the follicle reaches the desired size, the wife is given a final shot to induce ovulation.
Aspiration eggs : Eggs that meet the requirements are poked and aspirated about 36 hours after the last injection. The wife is anesthetized during the suction procedure (10-15 minutes). At the same time, the husband takes sperm to prepare for embryo transplantation or to collect frozen sperm samples previously frozen.
Embryogenesis : Eggs, sperm are transferred to the laboratory for fertilization and embryogenesis, embryos are cultured outside for 2-5 days. If the health conditions are not available for immediate transfer, the quality embryos are frozen and the wife is transferred to the next cycle.
Transfer embryos : embryos were transferred when the lining of the uterus to achieve conditions for embryo implantation and development. If transferring frozen embryos, the woman has an ultrasound and a mucosal monitoring drug from day 2 of the next menstrual cycle for 14-18 days, then the doctor chooses the right time to transfer the embryo.
Pregnancy test : Beta HCG test result> 25 IU / l after 2 weeks is determined to be pregnant. Concentration after 2 and a half days is determined to be a developing fetus and the fetus will continue to be given until the day of ultrasound to determine the fetal sac and cardiac fetus. If Beta HCG has not increased or decreased after 2 days, continue monitoring. In the case of a biochemical pregnancy, the beta level returns to negative (<5 IU / l).
Note when performing IVF in vitro fertilization
In case of not pregnant but still storing embryos, the wife can continue to use the stored embryo to transfer into the uterus in the next cycle without having to repeat the steps of egg stimulation, egg extraction.
IVF is a lengthy process and requires a lot of preparation before doing it both financially, physically and psychologically. Currently, the total cost for 1 IVF fertilization case is about 70-100 million VND.
Although the fertility method has a high success rate, couples should also be mentally prepared for the possible failure in the first time.
Increased chances of having a baby with unexplained secondary infertility
In addition to medical interventions, couples who unfortunately suffer from secondary infertility of unknown cause can take the following measures to support conception:
Track your ovulation date to choose when to have sex; Refer to sexual positions so that sperm can easily enter the uterus.
Maintain healthy living habits: do not drink alcohol, stimulants, caffeinated beverages, avoid staying up too late, and being inactive. Physical exercise helps both improve fitness and is beneficial for conception.
If you want to have good health, a nutritious, scientific diet is extremely necessary. Foods to avoid include fast food, greasy foods ... You should add vegetables, fiber, foods high in zinc to your daily diet such as beans, salmon, pumpkin, oysters ...
The most important note for couples who are hoping for their children is not to have negative thoughts, but to keep a positive and comfortable mentality. Stress makes conception more difficult. A positive mood is crucial for your conception and it also provides a good motivation in treating secondary infertility.
Epilogue
Infertility in general and secondary infertility of unknown cause in particular are undesirable in any couple looking for a child. But don't be in a hurry to be pessimistic or hopeless. Today's advanced technology has brought opportunities and hope to many couples. Please maintain a healthy living regime and positive mental state to prepare for the journey to welcome your baby. Wish parents success.
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