• UNDERSTANDING RECURRENT PREGNANCY LOSS ( RPL): CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS.

When it comes to reproduction, humans face challenges compared to other mammals. A significant number of fertilized eggs in humans do not result in live births, with up to 75% failing to develop, and around 30% of pregnancies ending within the first 10 weeks  (first trimester). Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) refers to two or more consecutive failed pregnancies, which is relatively rare, affecting less than 5% of women for two losses and only 1% for three or more losses. Understanding the causes of pregnancy loss and finding solutions is crucial for those affected. This article aims to explain the different types of pregnancy loss and shed light on potential causes.

Types of Pregnancy Loss: Pregnancy loss can occur at various stages, leading to different classifications:

1. Early Pregnancy Loss: Also known as a miscarriage, this typically happens in the first trimester. Early pregnancy losses are usually sporadic, not recurring. In over 70% of cases, these losses are due to chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, where there are more or fewer than the normal 46 chromosomes. Therefore, they are not likely to be repetitive.
2. Late Pregnancy Loss: Late pregnancy losses occur after the first trimester (12th week) and are less common (1% of pregnancies). They often result from anatomical abnormalities in the uterus or cervix. Weakness in the cervix, known as cervical incompetence, is a frequent cause. Other factors include developmental abnormalities of the uterus, uterine fibroid tumors, intrauterine growth retardation, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes, and premature labor.

Causes of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL): Recurrent pregnancy loss refers to multiple consecutive miscarriages. While chromosomal abnormalities are a leading cause of sporadic early pregnancy losses, RPL cases are mostly attributed to non-chromosomal factors. Some possible causes include:

1. Uterine Environment Problems: Issues with the uterine environment can prevent a normal embryo from properly implanting and developing. These problems may include inadequate thickening of the uterine lining, irregularities in the uterine cavity (such as polyps, fibroid tumors, scarring, or adenomyosis), hormonal imbalances (progesterone deficiency or luteal phase defects), and deficient blood flow to the uterine lining.
2. Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction (IID): IID is a significant cause of RPL, contributing to 75% of cases where chromosomally normal embryos fail to implant. It involves the immune system’s response to pregnancy, which can interfere with successful implantation.
3. Blood Clotting Disorders: Thrombophilia, a hereditary clotting disorder, can disrupt the blood supply to the developing fetus, leading to pregnancy loss.
4. Genetic and Structural Abnormalities: Genetic abnormalities are rare causes of RPL, while structural chromosomal abnormalities occur infrequently (1%). Unbalanced translocation, where part of one chromosome detaches and fuses with another, can lead to pregnancy loss. Studies also suggest that damaged sperm DNA can negatively impact fetal development and result in miscarriage.

IMMUNOLOGIC IMPLANTATION DYSFUNCTION AND RPL:

Autoimmune IID: Here an immunologic reaction is produced by the individual to his/her body’s own cellular components. The most common antibodies that form in such situations are APA and antithyroid antibodies (ATA). But it is only when specialized immune cells in the uterine lining, known as cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells, become activated and start to release an excessive/disproportionate amount of TH-1 cytokines that attack the root system of the embryo, that implantation potential is jeopardized. Diagnosis of such activation requires highly specialized blood test for cytokine activity that can only be performed by a handful of reproductive immunology reference laboratories in the United States. Alloimmune IID, (i.e., where antibodies are formed against antigens derived from another member of the same species), is believed to be a common immunologic cause of recurrent pregnancy loss. Autoimmune IID is often genetically transmitted. Thus, it should not be surprising to learn that it is more likely to exist in women who have a family (or personal) history of primary autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus (LE), scleroderma or autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s disease), autoimmune hyperthyroidism (Grave’s disease), rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Reactionary (secondary) autoimmunity can occur in conjunction with any medical condition associated with widespread tissue damage. One such gynecologic condition is endometriosis. Since autoimmune IID is usually associated with activated NK and T-cells from the outset, it usually results in such very early destruction of the embryo’s root system that the patient does not even recognize that she is pregnant. Accordingly, the condition usually presents as “unexplained infertility” or “unexplained IVF failure” rather than as a miscarriage. Alloimmune IID, on the other hand, usually starts off presenting as unexplained miscarriages (often manifesting as RPL). Over time as NK/T cell activation builds and eventually becomes permanently established the patient often goes from RPL to “infertility” due to failed implantation. RPL is more commonly the consequence of alloimmune rather than autoimmune implantation dysfunction. However, regardless, of whether miscarriage is due to autoimmune or alloimmune implantation dysfunction the final blow to the pregnancy is the result of activated natural killer cells (NKa) and cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL B) in the uterine lining that damage the developing embryo’s “root system” (trophoblast) so that it can no longer sustain the growing conceptus. This having been said, it is important to note that autoimmune IID is readily amenable to reversal through timely, appropriately administered, selective immunotherapy, and alloimmune IID is not. It is much more difficult to treat successfully, even with the use of immunotherapy. In fact, in some cases the only solution will be to revert to selective immunotherapy plus using donor sperm (provided there is no “match” between the donor’s DQa profile and that of the female recipient) or alternatively to resort to gestational surrogacy.

DIAGNOSING THE CAUSE OF RPL.

In the past, women who miscarried were not evaluated thoroughly until they had lost several pregnancies in a row. This was because sporadic miscarriages are most commonly the result of embryo numerical chromosomal irregularities (aneuploidy) and thus not treatable. However, a consecutive series of miscarriages points to a repetitive cause that is non-chromosomal and is potentially remediable. Since RPL is most commonly due to a uterine pathology or immunologic causes that are potentially treatable, it follows that early chromosomal evaluation of products of conception could point to a potentially treatable situation. Thus, I strongly recommend that such testing be done in most cases of miscarriage. Doing so will avoid a great deal of unnecessary heartache for many patients. Establishing the correct diagnosis is the first step toward determining effective treatment for couples with RPL. It results from a problem within the pregnancy itself or within the uterine environment where the pregnancy implants and grows. Diagnostic tests useful in identifying individuals at greater risk for a problem within the pregnancy itself include Karyotyping (chromosome analysis) both prospective parents Assessment of the karyotype of products of conception derived from previous miscarriage specimens Ultrasound examination of the uterine cavity after sterile water is injected or sonohysterogram, fluid ultrasound, etc.) Hysterosalpingogram (dye X-ray test) Hysteroscopic evaluation of the uterine cavity Full hormonal evaluation (estrogen, progesterone, adrenal steroid hormones, thyroid hormones, FSH/LH, etc.) Immunologic testing to include Antiphospholipid antibody (APA) panel Antinuclear antibody (ANA) panel Antithyroid antibody panel (i.e., antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal antibodies) Reproductive immunophenotype Natural killer cell activity (NKa) assay (i.e., K562 target cell test) Alloimmune testing of both the male and female partners

TREATMENT OF RPL

• Treatment for Anatomic Abnormalities of the Uterus: 

This involves restoration through removal of local lesions such as fibroids, scar tissue, and endometrial polyps or timely insertion of a cervical cerclage (a stitch placed around the neck of the weakened cervix) or the excision of a uterine septum when indicated. Treatment of Thin Uterine Lining: A thin uterine lining has been shown to correlate with compromised pregnancy outcome. Often this will be associated with reduced blood flow to the endometrium. Such decreased blood flow to the uterus can be improved through treatment with sildenafil and possibly aspirin. sildenafil (Viagra) Therapy. Viagra has been used successfully to increase uterine blood flow. However, to be effective it must be administered starting as soon as the period stops up until the day of ovulation and it must be administered vaginally (not orally). Viagra in the form of vaginal suppositories given in the dosage of 25 mg four times a day has been shown to increase uterine blood flow as well as thickness of the uterine lining. To date, we have seen significant improvement of the thickness of the uterine lining in about 70% of women treated. Successful pregnancy resulted in 42% of women who responded to the Viagra. It should be remembered that most of these women had previously experienced repeated IVF failures. Use of Aspirin: This is an anti-prostaglandin that improves blood flow to the endometrium. It is administered at a dosage of 81 mg orally, daily from the beginning of the cycle until ovulation.

Treating Immunologic Implantation Dysfunction with Selective Immunotherapy: 

Modalities such as intralipid (IL), intravenous immunoglobulin-G (IVIG),  heparinoids (Lovenox/Clexane), and corticosteroids (dexamethasone, prednisone, prednisolone) can be used in select cases depending on autoimmune or alloimmune dysfunction. The Use of IVF in the Treatment of RPL In the following circumstances, IVF is the preferred option: When in addition to a history of RPL, another standard indication for IVF (e.g., tubal factor, endometriosis, and male factor infertility) is superimposed and in cases where selective immunotherapy is needed to treat an immunologic implantation dysfunction.  The reason for IVF being a preferred approach when immunotherapy is indicated is that in order to be effective, immunotherapy needs to be initiated well before spontaneous or induced ovulation. Given the fact that the anticipated birthrate per cycle of COS with or without IUI is at best about 15%, it follows that short of IVF, to have even a reasonable chance of a live birth, most women with immunologic causes of RPL would need to undergo immunotherapy repeatedly, over consecutive cycles. Conversely, with IVF, the chance of a successful outcome in a single cycle of treatment is several times greater and, because of the attenuated and concentrated time period required for treatment, IVF is far safer and thus represents a more practicable alternative Since embryo aneuploidy is a common cause of miscarriage, the use of preimplantation genetic screening/ testing (PGS/T), with tests such as next generation gene sequencing (NGS), can provide a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic advantage in cases of RPL. PGS/T requires IVF to provide access to embryos for testing. There are a few cases of intractable alloimmune dysfunction due to absolute DQ alpha gene matching ( where there is a complete genotyping match between the male and female partners) where Gestational Surrogacy or use of donor sperm could represent the only viable recourse, other than abandoning treatment altogether and/or resorting to adoption. Other non-immunologic factors such as an intractably thin uterine lining or severe uterine pathology might also warrant that last resort consideration be given to gestational surrogacy. Conclusion:

Understanding the causes of pregnancy loss is crucial for individuals experiencing recurrent miscarriages. While chromosomal abnormalities are a common cause of sporadic early pregnancy losses, other factors such as uterine environment problems, immunologic implantation dysfunction, blood clotting disorders, and genetic or structural abnormalities can contribute to recurrent losses. By identifying the underlying cause, healthcare professionals can provide appropriate interventions and support to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy. The good news is that if a couple with RPL is open to all of the diagnostic and treatment options referred to above, a live birthrate of 70%–80% is ultimately achievable.

 Please email Patti Converse at concierge@sherivf.com and set up an online consultation with me.

Geoff Sher

Please call my office Manager, Patti at 702-533-2691 and inquire with her.

Geoff Sher

The euploid embryo!

Please have her reach out to my Office Manager, Patti Converse (conciege@sherivf.com and set up a consultation online, with me.

Geoff Sher

• ENDOMETRIOSIS: A RATIONAL BASIS FOR IVF

Endometriosis is a condition where the uterine lining (endometrium) grows on pelvic structures outside the uterine cavity. In early stage- endometriosis there is usually little, if any, visible evidence of anatomical distortion sufficient to compromise the release of an egg (ovulation) or its transportation from the ovary to the fallopian tube. In contrast, more advanced endometriosis, is characterized by the presence of pelvic adhesions sufficient to distort normal pelvic anatomy and interfere with fertilization as well as egg/embryo transportation mechanisms.

While it is tempting to conclude that normally ovulating women with mild to moderate endometriosis would have no difficulty in conceiving if their anatomical disease is addressed surgically or that endometriosis-related infertility is confined to cases with more severe anatomical disease…nothing could be further from the truth.

The natural conception rate for healthy ovulating women in their early 30’s (who are free of endometriosis) is about 15% per month of trying and 70% per year of actively attempting to conceive. Conversely, the conception rate for women of a comparable age who have mild or moderate pelvic endometriosis (absent or limited anatomical disease) is about 5-6% per month and 40% after 3 years of trying. The reduced conception rate in women with endometriosis can, in large part be explained by:

• Toxins in the peritoneal fluid: It is very common for women with mild endometriosis to do exactly this…have 1 pregnancy and then battle to conceive again. This is referred to 2ndary infertility and Endometriosis is the commonest cause I know of. The explanation is that all women with endometriosis (regardless of its severity) have” toxic factors” in their pelvic peritoneal fluid. Eggs, as they pass from the ovary (ies) to the Fallopian tube(s) to reach the awaiting sperm, become exposed to these “toxins” which renders the egg envelopment (zona pellucida) resistant to sperm penetration. This reduces fertilization potential by a factor of at least 3 or 4. This means that if, in the absence of endometriosis, an egg has a 15% chance of being fertilized and thereupon resulting in a baby, that same egg, in a woman with endometriosis would have no more than a 5% chance. Thus if the overall chance of a having a baby per year of actively trying is about 12% then the chance in a woman with mild endometriosis (of the same age) would probably be no more than 3-4%. Only IVF or ICSI which by their very nature involve extracting eggs before they are released (ovulated) in to the “toxic peritoneal environment” can bypass this effect. This explains why a women with endometriosis who is lucky enough to become pregnant on her own or following the use of fertility drugs (with or without intrauterine insemination), often experiences secondary infertility later in her reproductive career. It also helps  explain why normally ovulating women with endometriosis and patent Fallopian tubes do not benefit significantly from intrauterine insemination, with or without the use of fertility drugs, or from surgery to remove endometriotic lesions (since many endometriotic deposits are non-pigmented, thus  invisible to the naked eye and cannot be removed surgically). In such cases only IVF improves the chance of a baby per month of trying.  Simply put…. if a normally ovulating woman who has mild to moderate endometriosis conceives following IUI, surgery or the use of fertility drugs, it is probably in spite of (rather than due) to such treatments.
• Immunologic Implantation failure: We have previously reported that >50%% of women with endometriosis (regardless of severity) have antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) in their blood. Also, and perhaps much more significant, is the fact that, approximately one third of women who have endometriosis (regardless of severity) show evidence of increased NK cell activity. In such cases there is a high likelihood of early or later IID. In the case of early IID, rejection occurs prior to embryo attachment to the uterine wall, usually even before the pregnancy hormone, hCG can be detected in the woman’s blood. Strictly speaking, rather than suffering from “true infertility” such women are experiencing are having “mini miscarriages “which occur so early on that the women does not even realize that she conceived in the first place. In the case of the latter (later implantation failure), poor implantation might manifest as a miscarriage. It is not certain whether APA’s themselves cause implantation failure. We believe that they could be “markers”, pointing to those women who are at increased risk of immunologic implantation failure. Selective immunomodulation with heparin (for the APA) and/or Intralipid/steroid therapy can often effectively counter immunologic implantation failure and lead to successful AR-induced pregnancies in women who have APA and/or increased NK cell/CTL activation.
• Endometriomas: These are cystic lesions within the ovary that result from the accumulation of “menstrual blood” which is produced by the endometrial lining that lines these “cysts”. Decomposition of this blood causes the blood to become like molten chocolate in color and consistency. Hence the name “chocolate cysts’. Endometriomas can activate the surrounding ovarian connective tissue (stroma) leading to the excess production of male hormones (androgens)such as This can compromise egg production and quality in the affected ovary. In our opinion, any ovarian endometrioma that is more than 1cm in size should be removed. The traditional way of doing this is surgically. A few years ago, we introduced “sclerotherapy”. This is, a relatively non-invasive, safe and effective outpatient method to permanently eliminate endometriomas without surgery being required.Sclerotherapy for ovarian endometriomas involves needle aspiration of the liquid content of the endometriotic cyst, followed by the injection of 95% ethanol into the cyst cavity. Treatment results in disappearance of the lesion within 6-8 weeks, in more than 75% of cases so treated. Ovarian sclerotherapy can be performed under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia. It has the advantage of being an ambulatory office- based procedure, at low cost, with a low incidence of significant post-procedural pain or complications and the avoidance of the need for laparoscopy or laparotomy

Adhesions and Scar tissue: Endometriosis and/or its surgical treatment can result in adhesions and/or scarring. This can compromise tubal function and can as a very late manifestation of endometriosis block the tubes. Scarring can also compromise blood flow to the ovaries and result in reduced ovarian reserve and resistance to ovarian stimulation with fertility drugs.

• SCLEROTHERAPY OF ENDOMETRIOMAS

The precise mechanism by which ovarian endometrioma causes infertility is unknown. In women with ovarian endometriomas, infertility is potentially associated with a decreased oocyte retrieval rate, reduced oocyte quality and reduced embryo quality. I personally believe that it is local irritation caused by the cystic space occupying lesion within the ovary that irritates surrounding connective tissue increasing ovarian testosterone production which in turn permeates ovarian follicles resulting in compromised follicle and egg development in the affected ovary (ies)

Traditional surgical treatment of endometriomas involves gaining access to the ovary (ies) through an abdominal incision, or via laparoscopy, for drainage of the cyst contents and subsequent removal or ablation of the cyst wall. Unfortunately, in many cases, normal ovarian tissue is inadvertently removed along with the cyst wall, which may decrease the number of available oocytes for subsequent fertility treatment. A large percentage of such women have advanced stage disease and have had multiple previous surgeries. In the presence of pelvic adhesions, visualization of anatomic structures may be inadequate, leading to a higher incidence of cyst recurrence. This may further diminish the potential response to ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins. Additionally, women with advanced endometriosis are more likely to develop pelvic adhesions as well as an increased risk of surgical complications.

About 15 years ago I introduced sclerotherapy to treat women who had endometriomas and were preparing for IVF treatment. Sclerotherapy is an effective non-surgical treatment for endometriosis of the ovary. Ovarian sclerotherapy involves ultrasound-guided aspiration of endometrioma content followed by the introduction into the cyst cavity of a sclerosing agent such as 5% tetracycline hydrochloride (my preference), 95% ethanol or methotrexate either under local anesthesia or with the patient receiving conscious sedation. The sclerosing agent destroys the endometrium lining the inside of the endometrioma and prevents cyst recurrence. Sclerotherapy is much less invasive than laparoscopic surgery and takes approximately 20–30 min to perform. Unlike other treatment options, it will not damage healthy surrounding ovarian tissue and is thus also less likely to reduce ovarian reserve. Risks of sclerotherapy treatment are uncommon but they include infection, pain (due to leaking of the sclerosing agent into the pelvic cavity, internal bleeding, and recurrence in about 10% of cases. To prevent this, I infuse about 250cc of sterile normal saline solution into the pelvic cavity before performing sclerotherapy so that any leakage of the sclerosing agent into the pelvis will be diluted. Thereupon at the conclusion of the procedure, I aspirate the solution from the pelvis and with it , most of the potentially irritating sclerosing agent. In more than 70% of cases, treatment will result in disappearance of the lesion within 6 to 8 weeks. In 20% of cases, residual seroma develops within 6 weeks. Simple transvaginal drainage of the residual cyst will in most cases lead to permanent dissolution.

Ovarian sclerotherapy can be performed under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia. It has the advantage of being an ambulatory office-based procedure at a low cost, with a low incidence of significant post-procedural pain or complications, and the avoidance of the need for surgery.

Sclerotherapy is a safe and effective alternative to surgery. It is a definitive treatment, even for recurrent ovarian endometriomas, in properly selected patients planning to undergo IVF. Since the procedure is associated with a small, but realistic possibility of adhesion formation, it should only be used in cases where IVF is the only fertility treatment appropriate for a patient. Women who intend to try and conceive through natural conception or intrauterine insemination will be better off undergoing standard laparotomy or laparoscopy to treat their endometriomas.

I suggest you email Patti Converse (concierge@sherivf.com and set up an online consultation with me.

Geoff Sher

i PERSONALLY AM NOT A BIG BELIEVER IN THE VALUE OF ERA TESTING.

GEOFF SHER