Coping with secondary infertility in males

New Delhi, June 21 We have heard of terms like infertility or fertility related problems. But do you know secondary infertility also exists?

This condition arises when a couple has at least one child, is trying to get pregnant again, but doesn't conceive after at least one year of trying. This diagnosis can be confusing. You had no trouble getting pregnant last time. So, why isn't it happening now? In many cases, about one-third of all the secondary infertility cases can be traced to be originated in men.

Kanchi Khurana, Senior Fertility Consultant, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Chandigarh, explains: "Secondary infertility strikes a man as he ages and usually comes to the fore when the couple tries for a second child but are unable to conceive one. But not all men suffer from secondary infertility. A healthy lifestyle, exercise and cutting down on vices like alcohol and tobacco can go a long way in boosting the sperm health of men. But despite doing all the good things, some men do suffer from secondary infertility."

Breaking down Secondary Infertility

* Varicocele: This condition is responsible for 1 in 5 male secondary infertility cases. Varicocele is an enlargement of veins in the scrotum or the sac of the skin encasing the testicles. This is one of the most common condition causing decreased sperm production and infertility in men. About 30 per cent of the infertile men may have varicocele. A heated environment can be deadly for sperm, causing them to diminish and die.

* Reduced or decreased testosterone levels: Testosterone or male sex hormone as it is commonly referred to plays a key role in sperm production. Levels of testosterone can be decreased due to aging, injury to genital or urinary organs or certain medical conditions as genitourinary infections, thyroid disease, DM, TB, Mumps, Small Pox, Stress or surgery of the genital tract.

* Unhealthy Habits: Tobacco, drugs and alcohol can make life hard for your little swimmers. Its one thing to have got healthily pregnant on these the last time around, but a build-up of toxins in your body may eventually catch up with you, masquerading as secondary infertility.

* Poor semen quality: As the age advances the quality of semen