Difference between primary and secondary infertility

While dealing with infertility, we often come across terminologies like primary or secondary infertility, what are these?

Why is it important to understand them?

This is important to understand because the causes, risk factors, treatment and success of treatment vary with the type of infertility. 

So, broadly speaking, there are two types of infertility and often people misunderstand the difference between them. 

Ask yourself one clear question – have you been pregnant before? If yes, then you may be going through secondary infertility

Secondary infertility is a condition in which the couple had one or more pregnancies earlier, but now they are unable to conceive.

Whereas, if you’re trying to conceive for the first time and are unable to do so then this is a primary infertility.

Knowing these diagnostic differences helps identify fertility issues. It also guides the right treatment to improve your chances of conception.

Who does it affect?

Primary infertility is more common in  couples who started recently married or started trying recently, whereas secondary infertility occurs in those who have had earlier pregnancies. However, both types of infertility can impact individuals of any age, gender, or relationship status.

Primary infertility vs secondary infertility

Factors Primary infertility Secondary infertility 
Basic difference
when couples are not able to conceive after successful intercourse for a sufficient amount of time
when couples have  difficulty in conceiving after having one or more previous pregnancies
Common causes/reasons more common associations are Hormonal imbalances, ovulation issues, poor sperm quality, reproductive system disorders, and sexual disorders  more common associations  are Age-related decline in fertility, complications from earlier pregnancies, lifestyle factors, underlying health conditions
Emotional impact Being disappointed, anxious, and uncertain about being able to conceive Being confused and frustrated, all the more if previous pregnancies were natural
Treatment options  Ovulation stimulating medicines, hormone therapy, IVF/IUI, surgical treatments for reproductive problems  Treatment for underlying health problems, fertility medicines, Managing age-related fertility decline, lifestyle changes, IVF/IUI

Clearly, the treatment for primary and secondary infertility is almost the same. Whether it’s IUI, IVF, donor conception, or surrogacy, the approach doesn’t change much.

Is infertility different from sterility?

It is a common misconception that infertility and sterility are the same. However, they differ a lot. Being infertile means that a female finds it more difficult to conceive even after trying, whereas being sterile implies that conception is impossible due to medical reasons.  

In most cases, struggles around fertility don’t indicate total sterility. Many couples going through infertility can get pregnant with the right treatment. Several factors such as age, quality of egg and sperm, and overall reproductive well-being also determine the success rate. 

If a woman isn’t conceiving as expected, getting a fertility assessment offers clarity. Fertility tests are a safe and effective way to identify potential issues. Having a proactive approach is the right way to make well-informed decisions.

Be active and responsible for your health.

If it has been taking more time than normal to conceive naturally, it’s always suggested to get your fertility assessment done. This lets you recognize the potential issues without delay.

Fertility tests give you the much-needed clarity, so you can speak to a fertility specialist to take the right steps ahead. 

Some common tests for primary and secondary infertility include these:

  • Ovulation monitoring to keep track of menstrual cycles.
  • Semen analysis to assess sperm count and motility.
  • Hormone testing for checking reproductive hormone levels.
  • Ultrasound scans to check for reproductive abnormalities.

Being responsible for your health and taking expert guidance, makes it easier to get rid of infertility and conceive successfully. It’s all about the right help at the right time and keeping away the unnecessary stress. 

Be it primary or secondary infertility, it can be hard at times to try endlessly for a pregnancy. Fortunately, medical advancements and an array of treatment options have made it easier to welcome the joy of parenthood. 

If you’ve been struggling with infertility in silence, now is the time to vocalize your problem and get the right professional help. Reach out to us at Pristyn Care Ferticity IVF & Fertility Clinics and book your consultation. Fertility doctors and the team at our IVF center in Delhi are highly experienced and skilled and have helped several individuals and couples get rid of infertility. Take that life-changing decision today!

Also Read :Surrogacy Process : A Step by Step Guide to Building Your Family

All you need to know about surrogacy treatment in India

In recent years, the legal status of surrogacy in India has undergone revision. Earlier due  to the low cost of treatment and lesser regulations, India had been a preferable country for surrogacy. To regularize that the surrogacy Act  was passed in 2021 that  was formulated with the aim  to protect the rights of surrogate mothers, intending couples and children while taking care of moral considerations. 

To give you a clearer background, commercial surrogacy become legal in 2002. For a long time, it remained under ICMR guidelines and court directives. 

On February 26, 2020, the Union Cabinet passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, allowing only altruistic surrogacy. This implies that a woman can be a surrogate but without financial compensation. The bill faced delays due to COVID-19 and then passed as an act in 2021. 

The act implied Intended couples  must be of Indian citizens, NRIs, persons of Indian origin, or overseas citizens of India. For approval, certain things are necessary such as proof of infertility, a legal parentage order, along with post-delivery care insurance.

You can avail of the option of surrogacy process only at registered clinics. And, once the child is born then it is the legal responsibility of the intended couple ,  and it is a punishable offence to abandon the child. 

The approved act  states clear rules for intending couples, surrogates and children born out of this process. A National Surrogacy Board and state boards will oversee clinics and ensure ethical practices. It is an act of compassion or care and not a business model. 

Surrogacy process in India- steps involved:

 

Eligibility criteria for intending couple

Only Indian married couples between the age of 23 to 50 in case of female and between 26 to 55 years in case of male on the day of certification who has a medical condition necessitating gestational surrogacy can avail surrogacy after certification by appropriate authority. The intending couple should not have any surviving child biologically or through adoption or through surrogacy earlier.

Eligibility criteria for surrogate mothers 

A surrogate mother must be a married woman aged 25 to 35 years with a biological child and can only undergo the process once in her lifetime. She must willingly consent to surrogacy and obtain a medical and psychological fitness certificate. Additionally, she is not permitted to use her own gametes for the procedure.

Medical assessment & legal agreements:

Both the intended parents and the surrogate go through proper medical screening to proceed with a safe pregnancy. A legal agreement becomes mandatory, stating responsibilities, rights, and compensation details for medical expenses. This extends the clarity and legal protection for all parties.

IVF Process: 

Gestational surrogacy involves using in-vitro fertilization (IVF) for embryo formation, the doctor then transfers the embryo into the surrogate’s uterus. There is no involvement of the surrogate’s own eggs in the whole IVF process.

Pregnancy & childbirth: 

The surrogate carries the pregnancy to term. Post-childbirth, the newborn is legally handed over to the intended parents. The birth certificate will list only the names of the intended parents, protecting the legal rights of the child born and keeping away unforeseen troubles of the future. So, yes the child born is intended to be the parents’ responsibility. 

Know these things about surrogacy act in India.

The amendments in India’s surrogacy rules have made it more inclusive. Couples suffering from a medical or genetic problem that doesn’t let them conceive can still opt for surrogacy. This relieves a lot of people going through severe infertility or hereditary issues. 

The new rules also protect the rights of surrogate mothers, making sure that they don’t go through any exploitation (financial or emotional). In India, surrogacy is more of an act of care, not a business.  

Here are some key things you should know about the updated surrogacy laws:

Only Altruistic Surrogacy Allowed. Surrogates can only be compensated for medical and pregnancy-related expenses. Commercial surrogacy is banned.

Who Can Be a Surrogate? Only a married woman within a certain age group with a biological child can be a surrogate, and only once in her lifetime.

The surrogacy process goes beyond a medical process. The entire process is a potpourri of hope, emotions and the right guidance. 

Abiding by India’s updated laws on surrogate motherhood, intended parents can consider this process with much more faith and confidence. Choose the right trusted clinic that caters to your needs while prioritizing ethical care and positive outcomes. 

Our team at Pristyn Care Ferticity IVF & Fertility Clinics supports you through the journey of surrogate treatment. With us by your side, no challenge to parenthood is too big to overcome. Book your consultation today. 

Also Read : Does egg freezing guarantee future pregnancy?