Secondary Infertility is defined as the inability to produce or maintain a pregnancy, following a previously viable one. This means that this condition affects women who already gave birth to perfectly healthy babies, and now find themselves having trouble conceiving again.
Secondary infertility may happen anytime during a woman’s life and for various causes, sometime unknown. It may or may not have similar causes to primary infertility. The reason may probably lie in the female’s or male’s reproductive system. Some of these reasons include low sperm count in men, an ovulation problem in women, a tubal damage to the reproductive organs, conditions affecting the uterus such as endometriosis, or combination of factors from both man and woman for unknown reasons.
Treatment options for secondary fertility usually depend on the reason why you have it in the first place. If in case the underlying cause would be endometriosis, for example, this should be addressed promptly. If infertility is caused by hormonal imbalances, the woman may be subjected to injections of hormones. If no specific treatment matches the situation or the cause for infertility, in vitro fertilization may be opted.
However, there are also natural ways to treat this problem. With the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine, coupled with all-around healthy measures in diet and lifestyle, secondary infertility can be cured. The good news is that secondary infertility is more easily treated than primary infertility.
Natural Ways to Treat Secondary Infertility
The treatment methods for secondary infertility are just the same as primary fertility.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of treating different kinds of illnesses. It also works effectively against infertility that even Western practitioners are encouraging their parents to give it a try. Furthermore, it has been noted that a woman who undergoes acupuncture before IVF treatment is twice as likely to conceive than those who do not.
Acupuncture is used as a way to exchange the electrons in the body within the body’s meridians in order to help it function more effectively. These meridians are where the energy flows through the body, giving it vitality and health. The purpose of acupuncture is to prevent the stagnation of these energies through the act of pricking with the needle. Acupuncture is performed only by a licensed practitioner.
Magnetic therapy utilizes magnets to promote circulation. Heat therapy is also another way of doing this, the practitioner use moxibustion, a TCM way of using moxa or mugwort herb. Suppliers then age the moxa, grind it to a fluff, and burn this fluff or wind it up to make a cigar. These can be use indirectly through acupuncture or are burnt directly above the patient’s skin.
Herbal therapy is also used in treating secondary infertility. Use herbs such as Vitex to help against hormonal imbalances by stimulating the pituitary gland to produce sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Another herb that is useful against infertility is Black cohosh. Due to the phytoestrogens present, it may help improve hormone functioning. Siberian ginseng also has many fertility-related effects, such as boosting libido, correcting hormonal imbalance, and support of the uterine lining.
Aside form these TCM methods, increasing fertility can be easily done through lifestyle changes. Reducing stress can increase the chances od conception. These include therapeutic massage, listening to calming CDs, yoga, or taking a relaxing walk. Many women struggle to fall pregnant despite healthy lifestyle changes. Oftentimes this may be due to emotional factors or fears. In this case, seek support from your loved ones – your partner, family and friends. Having such negative vibes can prevent you form conceiving naturally.
Women who are trying to get pregnant can also benefit form eating right. It is important to eat a well-balanced diet of protein form meat, fruits, and vegetables. Iron-rich foods can prevent ovulation problems and fortify your diet. Eat more beans, lean meats, green leafy vegetables, and dried fruits like apricots and prunes.
Secondary infertility can be surprising and stressful. As such, try to seek support from your partner and never handle it alone. Talk to your doctor about it and try out the many different ways of reversing its hold on your life.