Why miscarriage

This is a complex process, and a minor glitch can result in a genetic or chromosomal abnormality. While some chromosomal abnormalities are compatible with life such as trisomy 21, the most common type of Down syndrome , other chromosomal disorders are simply not.

Miscarriages caused by chromosomal abnormalities happen more often in women older than The frequency of miscarriage in women below age 20 is around 12 to 15 percent and doubles as the woman approaches age There is nothing that can be done to prevent miscarriage due to a chromosomal abnormality and once a miscarriage has begun there is nothing one can do to stop it.

Whether it be hypothyroidism too low or hyperthyroidism too high , thyroid disorders can lead to problems with infertility or cause recurrent miscarriages. The Malpani Infertility Clinic's website explains that in cases where a woman's thyroid function is low, her body will try to compensate by producing hormones that can actually suppress ovulation.

Conversely, a thyroid that is producing too many hormones can interfere with estrogen's ability to do its job, and it may make the uterus unfavorable for implantation or lead to abnormal uterine bleeding.

Zobel says. A less common cause of miscarriage can be physical problems with the mother, reports Dr. Nowacki, adding that this usually occurs in the second or third trimester. Here are some examples:. A doctor can determine uterine defects through specialized X-rays before pregnancy. Most cases can be treated, which may reduce the risk of miscarriage. Like physical abnormalities, miscarriages from blood clotting disorders such as Factor V Leiden , are more rare, but they do occur.

Nowacki, "But they're just not as common as the other reasons. Sometimes a woman's body doesn't produce enough of the hormone progesterone, which is necessary to help the uterine lining to support the fetus and help the placenta take hold.

Medication may improve the odds of a successful subsequent pregnancy. Some lifestyle habits—such as drug abuse, alcohol use during pregnancy , and smoking— have been found to cause early miscarriage and pregnancy loss in later trimesters.

Optimizing your health leading up to your pregnancy could help reduce your risk of miscarriage. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists thinks that certain autoimmune disorders play a role in miscarriage, especially with recurrent miscarriages. Although the exact role of immunologic factors in miscarriage is "complicated," according to Dr. Some people who experience miscarriage will need to seek out help for strong emotions that last, and become overwhelming.

Most miscarriages do not necessarily need intervention and can be medically managed with a process called "watchful waiting" 11, 23, Others may have an intervention because they are at risk of a complication, or because a miscarriage didn't complete on its own. Depending on timing, interventions include an aspiration procedure to remove the uterine contents, or a pill to help shed it more quickly Contact a healthcare provider if you think you may be having a miscarriage.

They will ask you some questions and make sure everything is okay. Some people may need a blood test. In certain cases a miscarriage doesn't complete on its own, requiring treatment. If you experience sharp pain, dizziness, fever, or shoulder pain, see your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room to rule out complications like ectopic pregnancy.

It may also help spot when something might be off, or when a miscarriage may need further treatment. If you are concerned about your cycle or any symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider. Remember, you can make sure a miscarriage or other unexpected cycles won't affect Clue's predictions and your statistical averages by excluding any irregular cycles later on. Understanding how common miscarriage really is, and why it happens, can help to shape and inform decision-making and emotional processes.

And the more we can talk about miscarriage, the more we will break down problematic cultural stigma. Download Clue to learn more about your period and keep track of changes.

Science is evolving each day on how coronavirus affects pregnancy, lactation, and postpartum. When you subscribe to Clue Plus, you don't only get new features: you also fund important research, support data privacy, Clue Birth Control. Close main menu Homepage Encyclopedia. Menstrual Cycle. Birth Control. About Clue. App Store Play Store. Food poisoning , caused by eating contaminated food, can also increase the risk of miscarriage. For example:. Read more about foods to avoid in pregnancy.

To be sure a medicine is safe in pregnancy, always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before taking it. Read more about medicines during pregnancy. Problems and abnormalities with your womb can also lead to second trimester miscarriages. Possible problems include:.

In some cases, the muscles of the cervix neck of the womb are weaker than usual. This is known as a weakened cervix or cervical incompetence. A weakened cervix may be caused by a previous injury to this area, usually after a surgical procedure.

The muscle weakness can cause the cervix to open too early during pregnancy, leading to a miscarriage. Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS is a condition where the ovaries are larger than normal. It's caused by hormonal changes in the ovaries. PCOS is known to be a leading cause of infertility as it can lower the production of eggs. There's some evidence to suggest it may also be linked to an increased risk of miscarriages in fertile women.