PCOS and miscarriage connection?

robyn7135 · 05-24-2006, 04:37 PM

I read something last night - on the internet, so who knows - written by a doctor and he said that women with PCOS can have "bad" eggs that lead to multiple miscarriages. Have any of your doctors suggested this? I don't have the results back from my D&C, but my RE has only ever said that miscarriages at my stage (10 weeks) are almost always caused by chromosonal issues. Is this the same thing? I guess I need to talk to my doctor again, but I wanted to know what, if anything, the rest of you have heard. Thanks.

Tia38 · 05-24-2006, 04:50 PM

I am so sorry for your loss.

I recently read the PCOS+bad egg theory too, but there was no link to a study or official source of info. I am very curious myself. I'm 39, so age is also a factor for my eggs.

I believe "chromosomal issues" can be related to egg quality. Unfortunately unless you're dong IVF I don't think there's a way to look at your egg quality, so even if it is PCOS related I don't know how/if that helps.

I did hear anectdotally that ovulation inducing meds (clomid, injectables, etc) and even met can help improve egg quality. I'm very curious about that too.

Wish I could be of more help. If I find anything more concrete I will post it. Hopefully someone else will have more details.

Hugs,
-Tia

Phoenix Rising ^^^ · 05-24-2006, 09:54 PM

I have the same issues. I too am searching for answers. I have a strong feeling that high male hormone levels have something to do with the quality of our eggs. That's my theory on what's happening to me. I haven't gotten a Dr. to agree with that yet though.

In another thread a cyster gave me some info that sounds promising. Here is a link to my thread Have You Suffered More Than One Miscarriage

Here is a copy of the post I'm speaking of:
Hi Phoenix ,

*Warning this is a long story*

I was prescribed Dexamethasone & Met after being diagnosed with PCOS in January of '05 following my first miscarriage in late December '04 (2 days before Christmas).
After my first miscarriage I found out through blood tests about my elevated Testosterone/DHEAS levels, so my RE prescribed the Dex. In his opinion the only way I could A.) Get pregnant and B.) Stay pregnant was if I agressively worked at lowering my male hormone levels with something other than just met.

So, in February of '05 I got pregnant again! But I miscarried again in April. At this point I was devestated & I had seriously gave up hopes of ever carrying a baby to term. But, my doctor explained it too me this way; My male hormone levels had been elevated for probably years prior to my PCOS diagnoses. And, those elevated levels had MORE than likely affected the quality of my eggs & also wrecked havoc with the hormones needed to maintain a healthy pregnancy. So, he advised me to throw clomid in the mix with the Dexamethasone. Clomid with Dex would give me a stronger ovulation & improve my chances of not just conception but having the pregnancy progress normally.

Okay, so at this point honestly I didn't really believe him my 2 losses so close together made me lose all faith in not only myself but medical science. I figured nobody & nothing could help me. But, after much prayer & a "reluctant" refusal to give up, I decided to try just one last time. So, I started the clomid & Dex combination in May of '05 (conceived) & I delivered healthy boy/girl twins on January 27th of this year. However, I had to continue Dex until my 20th week of pregnancy, to avoid miscarriage...I truly believe it made all the difference in the early months!

Side effects of Dex: Absolutely NONE! No dreaded weight gain, no high blood pressure, nothing! I weaned off of it over a 3 week span after my 20th week of pregnancy. My male hormone levels were improved within 1 month of starting the regime!

With that said I just want to say don't EVER give up hope. Not only did I have the high testosterone issues but during the pregnancy I battled IC. I was positive I'd never make it, a year ago this month I almost threw in the towel, not knowing what the future had in store. Believe me I know the struggle to make it there "mentally" and get to the point of trying again.

I wish you all the blessings in the world!

I hope that helps!

VivC · 05-25-2006, 12:39 AM

Robyn, I've only ever heard of hormonal issues with our M/Cs. I hope you find the answers you need.

Viv

jpang · 05-25-2006, 05:47 AM

I read something last week that was saying that when a woman with pcos ovulates, either spontaneously or induced, that the egg sometimes is released before it is fully mature. So it gets fertilized, but is too immature to develop into a baby. I wish I could remember where I read this. It came up in a google search I was doing. I really believe that this is a strong possibility for what happened when I miscarried. But really, who knows?

The other things I have read have indicated that pcos hormone levels have adverse effects on the lining and so it is not ideal for implantation.

onelittleyogi · 05-26-2006, 01:54 PM

I have heard that it is usually chromosomal at that stage too.....I recently had a m/c where baby died at 10w and I miscarried at 13. Placenta was working fine to maintain the pregnancy.....but the baby had died.

The perinatalogist sent me a letter a couple of weeks after having to be the one to break the news to me (I was there for a 12 week nuchal scan) and said that there was nothing at that that anyone could have done to prevent this. Really, truly, there are heroin addicts whose babies are chromosomally normal....it just isn't fair.

That said, I do believe that keeping PCOS under control can help....I personally feel that that is a lifelong thing and not just for TTC years....so I eat well and exercise and take fatty acid supplements and drink green tea and will do that long into menopause.

robyn7135 · 05-26-2006, 02:47 PM

Thanks for all the information, ladies. I guess I'm still in the freaked out that I'll never have children phase. My doctor is very optimistic and I'm trying to believe him, but I just get so worried and scared sometimes.