Recurrent Miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage, also called recurrent pregnancy loss, is when a couple experiences two or more consecutive miscarriages. The condition may affect couples who have had a healthy full-term pregnancy in the past, as well as those who have never had a full-term pregnancy.

Recurrent miscarriage, which affects 3-5% of couples, can be extremely difficult for couples to face. Instead of feeling joy at each new pregnancy, couples often feel intense anxiety. While approximately 15-20% of all pregnancies may end in a miscarriage, the risk increases to 20-30% once a patient has had two miscarriages in a row. After three miscarriages, the risk of another miscarriage can be as high as 45%.

There is hope, however, for couples suffering the devastation of multiple pregnancy losses. With proper diagnostic testing and treatment, 70-75% of couples with recurrent miscarriage can achieve and maintain a healthy pregnancy.

What are the most common causes of recurrent miscarriage?

Recurrent miscarriage often points to an underlying issue. Common causes include:

  • Uterine abnormalities (such as fibroids or a uterine septum)
  • Endocrine disorders (such as thyroid disease or diabetes)
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Blood-clotting conditions
  • Hormonal problems
  • Inflammatory conditions (such as endometriosis, chronic endometritis or adenomyosis)
  • Genetic disorders (such as balance translocation)
  • Lifestyle factors (such as obesity or tobacco and alcohol use)

Some causes, such as autoimmune conditions or uterine abnormalities, are more common than others (affecting 20-40% of women with recurrent miscarriage). By comparison, genetic disorders are present in only 3% of couples with recurrent miscarriage.

Recurrent Miscarriage: Causes and Treatments

How are the underlying causes of recurrent miscarriage diagnosed?

At Veritas Fertility & Surgery, we provide comprehensive diagnostic testing to uncover the likely underlying cause of recurrent miscarriage. Diagnostic tests may include:

  • Blood testing
  • Office hysteroscopy
  • Saline infusion sonohysterogram (SIS)
  • Genetic testing

How is recurrent miscarriage treated?

After completing comprehensive diagnostic testing, we create an individualized, targeted plan to treat couples with recurrent miscarriage.

In some cases, medications and hormonal treatments are used to address blood-clotting disorders, autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, or hormonal deficiencies. For uterine problems, such as a fibroid or a uterine septum, hysteroscopic surgery can be used to treat these issues to significantly reduce the risk of a miscarriage.

Our Approach

Recurrent miscarriage can be a complex and difficult condition to evaluate and to treat. While most fertility clinics look for the most common causes, nuanced issues, such as inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders, or hormonal deficiencies are often overlooked.

Veritas Fertility & Surgery is committed to thoroughly investigating all possible causes of recurrent miscarriage and providing targeted medical and surgical treatments to address each issue. This approach gives our patients the best chances of achieving and carrying a healthy pregnancy.

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY

“Dr. Puthoff is by far the most compassionate, caring, and kind doctor I have ever had. He takes the time to listen and answers all my questions. He is so thorough and seems to truly understand my personal care before I see him for each appointment.”
“I felt like Dr. Puthoff listened to my concerns and formulated a plan. I really appreciated that he explained why we were doing what we were doing and what was really happening with my body. He is the first doctor who has done that for me and I’m so grateful to be under his care now.”
“Dr. Puthoff’s consultation was thorough. He presented me with facts derived from his knowledge of research and provided the information needed to help me make an informed decision. I appreciated his candor and the time he took to answer all my questions.”
“Dr. Puthoff is an amazing example of how providers should care for patients. Not only does he make a plan together with me, but he also shows that he genuinely cares by taking the time to hear concerns during visits, explain things in a way that is easy to understand, and set goals that line up with a timeline that I’m comfortable with.”