The Common Health Condition That Puts You At Risk for a Miscarriage

Did you know that 15 to 20 percent of women who know they are pregnant experience a miscarriage? There are many possible causes of miscarriage, but a recent study shows that the rate is higher in those with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a fairly common condition caused by the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. It impacts more than 170 million women worldwide. Read on to see Women's Health explanation of the link between the two.

In a nationwide cohort study of nearly 15,000 women that used discharge data from all state hospitals in Scotland, scientists discovered that women with endometriosis had a significantly higher risk of early pregnancy complications than women without the condition.

How high were the risks? It was 76 percent higher for miscarriage and nearly three times higher for ectopic pregnancy, where the fetus develops outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. (According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the typical risk of having an ectopic pregnancy when you don't have endometriosis is one to two percent.)

Women who suffer from endometriosis can also have difficulty conceiving, making the risks that much more upsetting.

Susan Lin, M.D., a board-certified ob-gyn practicing in San Mateo, California, says she's not shocked by the findings. "Endometriosis can alter the uterine [and] fallopian tube environment and cause scarring, leading to pregnancy issues," she explains.

However, it's worth pointing out that you can have endometriosis and have a healthy baby. While there are risks of miscarriage and ectopic pregancy, Lin says there are a few things you can do to lower the odds it will happen to you:

Tell your doctor about your condition. If she isn't already aware, make sure your doctor knows that you have endometriosis. Awareness is important, just in case any complications arise (and hopefully they won't).

To see the rest of the steps to lower your risk of miscarriage, click here to read the original article from Women's Health.