Women with undiagnosed fertility issues may experience recurring pregnancy loss and IVF failure. Recurring pregnancy loss is defined as the loss of two or more consecutive pregnancies after they’ve been confirmed by blood tests and ultrasounds. RecptivaDx offers diagnostic tests to help women discover the cause of their infertility and seek appropriate treatment. Here are four causes of recurring pregnancy loss and some potential treatment methods:
1. Uterine Structure
The physical anatomy and health of the uterus can affect its ability to support a pregnancy. Extra uterine tissue, fibroids, or polyps may change the internal structure of the uterus and create obstructions that prevent successful fetal development. Other conditions like endometriosis can cause the uterine lining to grow abnormally inside and outside the womb. The tissue growth results in scar tissue, blocked fallopian tubes, and inflammation.
Inflammation in the endometrial lining of the uterus makes it more difficult for fertilized eggs to implant and develop. It also prevents the proper nutrients from reaching the egg, creating unfavorable womb conditions and pregnancy loss. Endometrial tissue can even adhere to surrounding organs in the pelvic region, causing greater pain, inflammation, and immune responses that reduce the chances of a full-term pregnancy. ReceptivaDx educates women about endometriosis and helps them find solutions for a positive IVF outcome.
2. Hormonal Imbalance
Pregnancy loss and IVF failure may be triggered by hormonal changes or imbalances. Abnormally high or low levels of hormones like prolactin, estrogen, and progesterone affect a woman’s ability to conceive and sustain a healthy pregnancy. Other hormone-related issues that could cause pregnancy loss include untreated diabetes and thyroid disease. These conditions slow down the body’s natural metabolic processes, limiting the amount of energy and nutrients delivered to a fetus and potentially causing a pregnancy to fail.
3. Genetic and Medical Conditions
Diseases and poor egg and sperm quality can be genetic or developed over time and affect pregnancy outcomes. Conditions like infections, autoimmune responses, and blood-clotting can weaken a fetus and reduce the quality of its growing environment. Fertility specialists may collect and analyze tissue from the lost pregnancy to identify chronic bacteria infections of the uterine lining and other potential genetic causes.
4. Lifestyle Factors
Activities like drinking alcohol, smoking, using drugs, or relying on caffeine can contribute to pregnancy loss. These habits affect a woman’s overall health and ability to sustain a pregnancy. Obesity and regular exposure to toxins could also affect the success of a woman’s pregnancy. During a consultation appointment, fertility specialists conduct a thorough health analysis to determine which, if any, lifestyle factors may be causing infertility or recurring pregnancy loss.
Potential Treatments
Once a fertility specialist has identified the cause of recurring pregnancy loss, they begin exploring treatment options. Some treatments require further diagnostic testing to confirm the presence of an underlying condition. Other treatments involve hormone therapy and artificial reproduction techniques. These are some of the ways specialists address recurring pregnancy loss:
BCL6 and Genetic Testing
ReceptivaDx has developed a test that identifies inflammation in the uterine lining. The BCL6 protein is a marker found in high concentrations in endometrial tissue. If BCL6 tests come back positive, patients can begin an endometriosis treatment plan. Patients with a family history of genetic conditions may need to undergo egg or sperm testing before trying to conceive again. This helps fertility specialists identify the presence of healthy reproductive cells before beginning IVF. If there are genetic issues with the collected sperm or eggs, specialists may recommend alternative conception methods, like using an egg or sperm donor.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy can be used before and during a pregnancy. Fertility specialists use progesterone therapy to keep an early pregnancy healthy, and they may use follicle-stimulating hormones to improve the chances of successful conception, especially if the patient is undergoing IVF or IUI treatment. Hormone therapy is also used to minimize inflammation of the uterine lining and decrease the impact of endometriosis on fertility.
Laparoscopy
Patients with anatomical obstructions, like polyps, may be candidates for laparoscopy procedures to remove the excess tissue. Surgical procedures are also used to remove visible endometriosis and reduce inflammation in the pelvic region. Because this treatment option is more invasive than others, fertility specialists may recommend it only after trying other affordable and less-invasive treatments. Laparoscopy is no longer needed as a diagnostic tool, as tests like the ones ReceptivaDx performs will analyze small biopsy samples to confirm the presence of endometriosis.
Schedule a Fertility Test After IVF Failure
ReceptivaDx specializes in helping individuals and couples get diagnosed with and seek treatment for infertility. If you have experienced recurring pregnancy loss or IVF failure and are unsure why, our team will help identify the underlying causes and recommend potential treatment options. We recommend completing two full cycles of IVF before seeking further fertility treatment. Contact us today to schedule a BCL6 test and learn more about infertility solutions.