What is the Connection Between Infertility and Miscarriage?

Infertility and miscarriage can be related, primarily because many conditions which cause infertility can also lead to pregnancy loss. These are most commonly hormonal issues or physical abnormalities in the mother. Sometimes maternal age can also lead to infertility and miscarriage, although this is not true for everyone.

Hormonal balance is required for both conception and a healthy pregnancy. Certain hormones are responsible for ovulation, the thickening of the uterine walls to allow proper implantation, and to prevent menstruation once a pregnancy has occurred. When any of these things is off course, infertility and miscarriage can occur. Lack of ovulation means that conception cannot take place, and if the uterine lining is not thick enough to allow an embryo to attach properly, it may detach soon after conception and a miscarriage would be the result.

Sometimes physical abnormalities can also lead to infertility and miscarriage. Deformations in the uterus can make implantation less likely and may also lead to restriction of embryonic or fetal growth. This is less likely than hormonal issues, but it does occur.

In some cases maternal age can result in infertility and miscarriage. When the eggs become aged and decline in quality after the age of 35 to 40, infertility can often be the result. When a pregnancy does occur, the embryo may not be able to develop properly and a miscarriage may occur. In fact, it is thought that most miscarriages are the result of genetic or chromosomal abnormalities in the developing fetus.

Often, several factors related to infertility and miscarriage may occur together. For instance, women who are over 35 years of age are also more likely to have hormonal issues than younger women. This becomes more common and more of a problem the older and closer to menopause a woman gets. As hormones shift during pre-menopause, pregnancy becomes less likely.

There are treatments for nearly any cause of recurrent pregnancy loss and infertility. Hormonal supplements can be given, and oftentimes even physical limitations can be overcome with medical interventions like surgery. Maternal age can be combated since mothers can choose various fertility treatments or to use donor eggs taken from a younger woman with less risk for genetic flaws.

In some cases recurrent miscarriage or infertility may be caused by other health problems in the mother. Hormonal imbalances can occasionally be linked to underlying medical conditions, such as thyroid diseases. These should be ruled out as possible causes and treated if present before any fertility treatments are attempted.