Does Fertility Increase After Miscarriage? An Analysis

Miscarriage can be difficult for any couple to deal with. So it's understandable that after a miscarriage, a woman wants to hold out hope that she will have a successful pregnancy again soon. After a young woman I knew went through a miscarriage, I heard several people console her by telling her that fertility significantly increases in the first few months following a miscarriage. I assumed that this was an old wives' tale, but out of curiosity, I did some investigation of my own, and discovered that there is some truth to the fact that a woman may experience increased fertility following a miscarriage.

A woman is arguably more fertile in the months immediately following a miscarriage because of the elevated levels of progesterone in her system. Progesterone is a hormone that supports pregnancy and proper implantation of a fetus in a woman's uterus. When a woman becomes pregnant, the progesterone level in her blood rises. After she miscarries, it takes awhile for the level of progesterone in her system to return to normal. Therefore, it has been argued that due to the elevated levels of progesterone in a woman's system following a miscarriage, a woman experiences increased fertility in the first few months after a miscarriage.

Some doctors have acknowledged that a woman experiences a brief period increased fertility due to an elevated progesterone level following a miscarriage. Experts report that a woman's fertility level should return to normal within four to six weeks after the miscarriage, when ovulation occurs and a woman's menstrual cycle returns to normal.

However, although some doctors believe that there is a brief period of increased fertility following a miscarriage, most doctors recommend that a woman wait until after this time before trying to conceive again. In fact, many doctors recommend that a woman waits until after she has two to three normal menstrual cycles before trying to conceive. This time will allow a woman's uterus time to heal and her endometrial lining to build up to healthy levels again. Without this necessary recovery, a woman may be at risk for additional miscarriages.

WebMD also states that many doctors recommend progesterone supplements following a miscarriage, to ensure proper implantation. This negates the argument that an increase of progesterone due to pregnancy may temporarily increase fertility. If a woman's progesterone levels were already significantly elevated, there would be no need for any progesterone supplements.

Although it is controversial whether or not a woman's fertility increases following a miscarriage, it is generally agreed that a woman's fertility does not decrease following a miscarriage. However, a woman may experience decreased fertility as a result of stress or emotional disturbance following a miscarriage. It is important that a woman takes the time to heal emotionally and deal with her grief before trying again.