Tag Archive for secondary infertility

Chlamydia Could Still be the Cause of Secondary Infertility

January 18, 2009 Clear Passage Physical Therapy One comment

By Jackie

Most women who experience secondary infertility would never consider the possibility that a sexually transmitted disease (STD) was the culprit. For many women, the suggestion is offensive because they have remained happily wed through their first pregnancy and while trying to conceive a second time. Other women who are with different partners are still reluctant to consider an STD because of the stigma associated with it.

But a new study released by Fertility and Sterility (Jan 2009) shows that women who experience secondary infertility cannot readily rule-out the possibility of an STD.  The study examined women who experienced secondary infertility and found that 55% of the participants tested positive for Chlamydia. Chlamydia is a particularly difficult STD to catch because it causes no visible or sensible side-effects. It can silently ravage a woman’s fertility by causing chronic inflammation and adhesions to form.

70% of the women who tested positive for the infection had an inactive infection – meaning it could have been present before the woman’s first pregnancy and went undetected. An inactive infection does not mean that a woman’s fertility is safe. The study found that Chlamydia (whether active or inactive) was the cause of secondary infertility in 72.7% of the women. Chlamydia caused total tubal occlusion (both fallopian tubes blocked) in 63.6% of the women with the infection (both active and inactive).

The study concluded that screening for Chlamydia is strongly recommended for women experiencing secondary infertility. Although social taboos around STD may make you feel embarrassed about being tested, it is well worth looking past this to find the cause and proper treatment of female infertility.

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The Appearance of a C-Section Scar Can Provide Clues about Abdominal Adhesions

December 29, 2008 Clear Passage Physical Therapy No comments

By Jackie

When a woman comes to CPT with secondary infertility, one of the first questions our therapists ask is, “Did you have a C-section?”

Through years of experience, our therapists have found that c-sections frequently cause adhesion formation within the abdominal and pelvic cavity. Adhesions can impede fertility by blocking the fallopian tubes, restricting the uterus, pulling on the ligaments attached to the uterus, and many other ways.

Scientific studies have demonstrated the direct link between c-sections and adhesion formation time and time again. A new study released by Fertility and Sterility (Dec 2008) went a step further and found that the appearance of a c-section scar can predict the severity of adhesion formation within the abdomen.

The study examined 101 women who had previously undergone a c-section. The scientists first examined the c-section scar and noted pertinent characteristics, such as if the scar was flat or depressed (going into the skin). The scientists then examined intra-abdominal adhesions when the women had a second c-section (all women who enrolled in the study planned to have a second c-section).

The study found that 43% of the women had adhesions (either filmy or dense). Of these women, the only significant indicator of adhesions was a depressed scar.

If you are currently struggling with secondary infertility after a c-section, you may find it beneficial to examine your scar to see if it is indented into your abdomen. If it is, you may want to learn more about how adhesions can impact your fertility, or read our article, “How Adhesions Form and Impair Fertility.”

If your scar is not depressed, you are still not out of the clear. Adhesions can form after a c-section and not cause an indented scar.  To learn more about common signs of adhesion formation, please visit our adhesion and fertility page.

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Ten Clues to Solving Secondary Infertility

December 4, 2008 Clear Passage Physical Therapy No comments

By Jackie

Women who experience secondary infertility are often baffled by their diagnosis. “I was able to easily conceive before,” many women tell us. “Why am I now having trouble?”

When our therapists examine women with secondary infertility, they look for ten key changes:

  1. C-Section – Did the patient have a c-section? Adhesions and scar tissue after a c-section can cause blocked fallopian tubes or prevent proper implantation
  2. Episiotomy – Did the patient have an episiotomy? An episiotomy scar can cause adhesions that extend into the vagina and cervix, causing the cervix to become stiffened and prevent the passage of sperm
  3. Hormonal Changes – Has the patient had her hormone levels checked since giving birth? Has the patient’s period changed in heaviness or number of days? Pregnancy and aging can cause hormones to change, which may be causing infertility
  4. Surgeries – Did the patient undergo any surgeries since pregnancy? Surgeries can cause adhesions to form and impair fertility
  5. Trauma – Has the patient experienced any car accidents, falls, abuse, or similar traumatic events? These events can cause long-lasting injuries, pelvic imbalances, adhesion formation, and other factors that can negatively impact fertility
  6. Infection – Has the patient had any bladder, vaginal, or yeast infections since pregnancy? Infections can cause adhesions to form in the delicate structures of the female pelvis. These adhesions can impair female fertility in multiple ways
  7. Inflammation – Has the patient been diagnosed with any new inflammatory conditions, such as endometriosis or PID? Inflammation directly causes adhesion formation, which can lead to infertility
  8. Pelvic or Back Pain – Has the patient experienced any hip, back, or pelvic pain since pregnancy? Pain is a sign that something is wrong. Pain in the pelvis may be linked to infertility, such as a hip injury that is located near the fallopian tubes.
  9. Sexual Dysfunction or Intercourse Pain – Has the patient experienced any sexual dysfunction or intercourse pain since pregnancy? Any problems in decreased desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, or satisfaction is a sign that adhesions have formed in the delicate structures of the reproductive tract, possibly causing infertility
  10. Ovulation or Menstrual Pain – Has the patient experienced any new ovulation or menstrual pain since pregnancy? Ovulation pain is a sign that adhesions may be restricting and impairing the proper function of the ovary. New menstrual pain is a sign that adhesions may have formed around the uterus, preventing proper implantation.

For more information about treating secondary infertility, please visit our adhesions and infertility page.

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