When you were in your mid-twenties, you had some tests done after missing a few periods consecutively. As it turns out, you had a lot fewer eggs than a typical woman of your age. The next few years were difficult, as when the time came when you wanted to start a family, a prolonged period of infertility problems started to arise. And when you finally did end up getting pregnant, you miscarried.

To miscarry after experiencing fertility problems can be, quite simply, devastating. A lot of women in this scenario wonder whether being prone to miscarriage has something to do with their issues with infertility.

The theory that the two are related is not a new one, and it was first suggested 40 years ago. In fact, this is a rather important connection, as understanding whether miscarriage is more common in women with infertility problems will help the experts develop better and more successful treatments.

So, if you have been struggling with miscarriage, then it may be helpful for you to understand the connection between miscarriage and other medical issues or complications relating to fertility.

Maternal age and infertility

When it comes to the issue of infertility, maternal age can play a significant role for several reasons. Firstly, as a woman ages, her fertility naturally declines. Secondly, the chances of her baby having chromosomal abnormalities increase. And thirdly, the womb lining becomes progressively less suitable for the implantation of an embryo, placing a pregnancy she may have at an even greater risk.

In general, infertility patients do tend to be older overall. For example, an Italian study conducted on women aged 40 years and over, found that genetic abnormalities were present in 83% of their miscarried pregnancies.

Obstetric history

Another factor that may affect a woman’s chances of miscarrying is their obstetric history. For example, women that have enjoyed successful pregnancies have a good chance of this continuing to be a pattern. Similarly, primiparous women (who have never been pregnant before) have a low risk of miscarriage. However, if a woman has previously had a miscarriage, then her risk of miscarriage in the future is greater. To summarise, secondary infertility is strongly associated with a poor obstetric history, with 75% of these women having had previous pregnancy losses.

Recurrent miscarriage and infertility

In understanding what factors can affect fertility and the ability to carry a baby to term, it is important to outline the similarities between infertility patients and women who suffer from recurrent miscarriage.

In short, the only difference between infertile women and those who suffer from miscarriage is the result of the pregnancy test.

Looking more closely at the statistics, 1 in 3 women with recurrent miscarriage have also experienced some subfertility, and have taken more than 12 months to get pregnant before each miscarriage. Further questioning of these women about any other issues they have in relation to reproduction usually reveals that they also have irregular periods, ovulation difficulties, and have previously been given drugs to help them ovulate.

Early pregnancy surveillance

The intensity of early pregnancy monitoring is a great indicator as to the main differences between pregnancies achieved spontaneously and after infertility treatment. For example, it is customary for a pregnancy test to be performed towards the end of the cycle of treatment on day 26 for those receiving IVF treatment. Through this method, a woman will know she is pregnant before her next period. In comparison, it’s more common for women who conceive spontaneously to decide to perform a pregnancy test after a missed period.

Ultimately, miscarriage rates for women with a history of infertility tend to be higher than for fertile women. However, this is an extremely complex and in-depth topic. If you feel this information could be relevant to you and your fertility or pregnancy journey, then talking to your doctor about the link between miscarriage and fertility issues may be helpful.

Is miscarriage more common in women with infertility problems?

Unii looks at a heartbreaking question for any parent.