Reasons for Miscarriage or Recurrent Miscarriage
Medically Reviewed By Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), ND
What Causes Miscarriage?
Heartbreaking as it is, it’s difficult to know sometimes exactly what caused your miscarriage. There are a number of factors that can contribute to recurrent miscarriage:
Genetic defects in the fetus
These can be caused by oxidative stress/oxidation, MTHFR genetic mutation and/or exposure to toxins and pollutants. These are all genetic influences that I can help reduce through naturopathic medicine.
Low luteal phase progesterone/luteal phase defect
A shortened luteal phase, or suboptimal progesterone production during a normal-length luteal phase, can affect implantation and fetal development. I use herbs, vitamins, and minerals to optimize progesterone levels.
Gluten allergy/intolerance
Undiagnosed Celiac disease and/or gluten intolerance have been correlated with recurrent miscarriage. As an ND, I can test for Celiac disease or gluten intolerance and advise as to the proper gluten-free diet for fertility.
Autoimmunity
In autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, several factors may cause overactivity of the immune system. These factors include under-functioning adrenal glands/HPA axis, poor gut health, and food allergies like gluten. Supporting healthy adrenal gland/HPA axis function, addressing gut dysbiosis, food sensitivities and gut wall integrity are some of the ways that I, as a naturopath, treat autoimmune disorders.
Hormone imbalance
Consuming a high glycemic index diet causes various hormone imbalances that contribute to miscarriage. Eating a healthy, fertility diet helps. I advise my patients as to what to eat and what to avoid for optimal fertility.
Low thyroid function
Even at fertility clinics, thyroid disorders sometimes go undiagnosed. I always do thorough thyroid testing and ensure that your thyroid is working at optimal efficiency.
Endometritis
Inflammation of the uterine lining, often due to infection, impairs implantation. I would address food sensitivities, support healthy immune function, the vaginal microbiome, and gut health to reduce this inflammation.
How Can You Prevent a Miscarriage?
To prevent miscarriages, as a naturopath, I would address each of these factors accordingly:
Genetic defects can occur due to:
- high oxidative stress in either the mother or the father, remember the dad contributes half of the DNA that goes into the fetus. Reducing factors that contribute to oxidative stress, such as diet, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking, and increasing antioxidant intake can help.
- an MTHFR genetic mutation in either the mother or father. Most people would have no idea if they had this (although 25-60% of the population has it) or even what it is. Most doctors wouldn’t even know what it is, although there is a test available. Having this mutation means that an individual can’t reap the benefits of folic acid in preventing birth defects and DNA damage. This can be overcome by using only ACTIVE folic acid (5MTHF).
- toxin accumulation. The liver is responsible for breaking down toxins such as body waste, pollutants, and pesticides for excretion. If the liver lacks a vital vitamin, mineral, or amino acid to do this, toxins accumulate in your system. Providing vitamin B6, vitamin B12, 5MTHF, magnesium, indole-3-carbinol, and calcium-d-glucarate can facilitate healthy toxin excretion and balance hormones.
Male genetic defects
Half of the DNA going into the fetus comes from the father. Research has shown that correcting adverse lifestyle factors, performing varicocelectomy, and administering antioxidant therapy can reduce DNA fragmentation and lower the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss.
Low luteal phase progesterone
Low progesterone is frequently the cause of miscarriage. Adequate progesterone levels enable healthy embryo implantation and maintain the pregnancy through the first trimester. Diet, stress and exercise play a significant role in determining progesterone production. Herbs, vitamins, and minerals enhance your body’s own progesterone production.
Gluten allergy/intolerance
Bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, tiredness after eating, and heartburn are all possible signs of a gluten allergy or intolerance. Studies have shown a significant correlation between gluten allergy/intolerance and recurrent miscarriage.
Autoimmune issues
Sometimes a miscarriage occurs due to antibodies that are produced against the fetus. The body should recognize the fetus as safe and not produce such antibodies, but under conditions of poor adrenal gland health or HPA axis dysfunction, dysbiosis in the digestive tract and/or food allergies, antibodies are produced that then cross-react with fetal tissue. Adrenal support, probiotics and removal of food sensitivities tone down the immune system.
Hormone imbalance
Standard North American diets that are heavy in carbs promote hormone imbalances that cause infertility and/or recurrent miscarriage. A low-glycemic-index/low-glycemic-load diet helps.
Underactive thyroid
Hypothyroidism frequently contributes to miscarriage. The standard blood test for thyroid function is called a TSH level, or thyroid-stimulating hormone. The normal range for TSH is 0.35-5.00. This range is exceptionally broad (like saying 35-500 is normal!). Many fertility clinics are now giving thyroid medication to women whose TSH is greater than 2.00. In some instances, to improve thyroid function, the thyroid just needs to be supported nutritionally; in others, autoimmune conditions (e.g., Hashimoto’s) need to be corrected; and in some patients, thyroid medication appears to be the only solution. Ideal thyroid levels are vital to maintaining a pregnancy and having a healthy child.
As a naturopathic doctor with a special interest in fertility, I can address all of the above to ensure your body is in the best possible position to have a healthy pregnancy and child.
Miscarriage Research
Here is a small sampling of the research linking modifiable factors like vitamins and minerals to recurrent pregnancy loss:
Omega 3, vitamin D3, and B complex
Elevated cytokine ratios have been linked with adverse reproductive outcomes, and proposed treatments have included biological immunomodulators which antagonize TNFa, but come with significantly associated cost implications and more importantly, cytotoxic side-effects. A dietary regime is a more patient-friendly intervention and lower risk, while still achieving a similar effect in many patients. Fertil Res Pract. 2018 Mar 2;4:1. doi: 10.1186/s40738-018-0046-4. eCollection 2018. Anti-oxidant mediated normalization of raised intracellular cytokines in patients with reproductive failure. Marron K1, Kennedy JF1, Harrity C2.
Male Genetic Factors
This paper outlines the positive effects of correcting adverse lifestyle factors, varicocelectomy, and antioxidant therapy on helping to reduce recurrent pregnancy loss. Urologiia. 2016 Mar;(1 Suppl 1):35-43. A man’s role in recurrent miscarriage in a spouse. Gamidov SI1,2, Ovchinnikov RI1, Popova AY1,2, Golubeva ON3, Ushakova IV3.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease should be researched in infertility, spontaneous and recurrent abortions, delayed menarche, amenorrhea, early menopause, and children with low birth weight. Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench. 2016 Fall;9(4):241-249. Celiac disease and obstetrical-gynecological contribution. Casella G1, Orfanotti G2, Giacomantonio L2, Bella CD3, Crisafulli V4, Villanacci V4, Baldini V1, Bassotti G5.
Causes of Recurrent Miscarriage
Known causes include abnormal chromosomes, endocrinological disorders, and uterine abnormalities. Postgrad Med J. 2015 Mar;91(1073):151-62. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2014-132672. Epub 2015 Feb 13. Recurrent miscarriage: causes, evaluation, and management. Garrido-Gimenez C1, Alijotas-Reig J2.