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D&Cs for Miscarriage may increase Your Risk of Infertility
Hi. I'm Kay. As a result of my misdiagnosed miscarriage story, I receive numerous email messages from women going through their own miscarriage scares. I've noticed that more and more women are emailing me who are either suffering from Asherman's Syndrome (scar tissue as a result of D&C) or infertility after their prior D&Cs.
Because of these women's emails, I've been doing some research and believe that doctors are often pushing women into D&Cs for their own convenience and some of them are putting women's fertility at risk. I'd like to share a bit of what I've learned and when a D&C may or may not be the right choice. I really believe Asherman's Syndrome is far more prevalent than we are being told.
Because of these women's emails, I've been doing some research and believe that doctors are often pushing women into D&Cs for their own convenience and some of them are putting women's fertility at risk. I'd like to share a bit of what I've learned and when a D&C may or may not be the right choice. I really believe Asherman's Syndrome is far more prevalent than we are being told.
I am not a medical professional. The information I share is meant to supplement the information given you by your doctor. If you feel your doctor is not doing enough for you or not willing to listen to your concerns, I strongly encourage you to take what you've learned here and get a second opinion.
On This Page
Asherman's Syndrome
What is Asherman's Syndrome?
Adhesions (scar tissue) found within the uterus. The amount of scar tissue can vary from mild to severe.
What causes Asherman's Syndrome
According to the Asherman's Syndrome Community, adhesions are caused when there is trauma to the uterine cavity. According to information posted, up to 90% of all Asherman's Syndrome cases can be linked back to a pregnancy-related D&C. According to Ashermans.org Asherman's is believed to be under reported because a simple ultrasound cannot aid in diagnosing the condition. Approximately 1 in 6 women having their first D&C will develop Asherman's Syndrome and that risk increases with each D&C.
Symptoms of Asherman's Syndrome
If you have had a D&C, you may be at risk for Asherman's Syndrome. Women who have told me they have Asherman's Syndrome have struggled with infertility, light or no periods, painful periods and/or recurrent miscarriages.
Adhesions (scar tissue) found within the uterus. The amount of scar tissue can vary from mild to severe.
What causes Asherman's Syndrome
According to the Asherman's Syndrome Community, adhesions are caused when there is trauma to the uterine cavity. According to information posted, up to 90% of all Asherman's Syndrome cases can be linked back to a pregnancy-related D&C. According to Ashermans.org Asherman's is believed to be under reported because a simple ultrasound cannot aid in diagnosing the condition. Approximately 1 in 6 women having their first D&C will develop Asherman's Syndrome and that risk increases with each D&C.
Symptoms of Asherman's Syndrome
If you have had a D&C, you may be at risk for Asherman's Syndrome. Women who have told me they have Asherman's Syndrome have struggled with infertility, light or no periods, painful periods and/or recurrent miscarriages.
Who Should Have a D&C?
If you have been diagnosed with a miscarriage, you may be wondering if a D&C is the best choice.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, choosing whether to miscarry naturally or have a D&C is a personal decision best left up to a woman and her physician. If you are more than ten weeks, a D&C may be necessary. Also, if you are showing signs of infection or are experiencing very heavy bleeding, a D&C may also be necessary. According to the APA, many women can miscarry naturally up to ten weeks with few problems. After ten weeks, they may still choose to miscarry naturally but may be at greater risk of D&C due to complications.
Please Remember: if you have complications, your risk will be greater if you do not have the D&C. D&Cs can be necessary. They may have risks but sometimes those risks are outweighed by the risks if you don't have one. Discuss your options with your doctor.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, choosing whether to miscarry naturally or have a D&C is a personal decision best left up to a woman and her physician. If you are more than ten weeks, a D&C may be necessary. Also, if you are showing signs of infection or are experiencing very heavy bleeding, a D&C may also be necessary. According to the APA, many women can miscarry naturally up to ten weeks with few problems. After ten weeks, they may still choose to miscarry naturally but may be at greater risk of D&C due to complications.
Please Remember: if you have complications, your risk will be greater if you do not have the D&C. D&Cs can be necessary. They may have risks but sometimes those risks are outweighed by the risks if you don't have one. Discuss your options with your doctor.
Medical Research
about Asherman's Syndrome
Many doctor's and websites mistakenly indicate that Asherman's is rare. Medical research tells a different story
- Hystroscopic management of Ashermans syndrome
- Patients with missing or light periods and/or suffering from infertility underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy. It was found that 65% of them suffered from uterine adhesions.
- Asherman syndrome--one century later
- Despite advances in treatment, women with uterine adhesions continue to have difficulty with fertility and pregnancy.
- Intrauterine adhesions
- Discusses pregnancy and live birth rates in women who suffer from Asherman's Syndrome caused primarily by D&Cs.
- Prevalence of Asherman's syndrome after secondary removal of placental remnants or a repeat curettage for incomplete abortion
- Three months after having D&Cs, 50 women were examined. Forty Percent of them were found to have Asherman's Syndrome.
More on Asherman's Syndrome at Amazon
Want to learn more about Asherman's Syndrome?
Asherman's Syndrome Medical Guide
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 01/01/2010) 
What to Do When You Can't Get Pregnant: The Complete Guide to All the Technologies for Couples Facing Fertility Problems
Amazon Price: $12.44 (as of 01/01/2010)
Asherman's Syndrome Information on the Web
Want to learn more?
- Asherman's Syndrome Organization
- Probably the best resource for learning about Asherman's Syndrome. You can find stories of women who have been diagnosed with AS as well as support groups and information to share with your doctor.
- International Adhesions Society.
- This group seeks to educate about various types of adhesion-related disorders including Asherman's Syndrome
My Stories
My Own Misdiagnosed Blighted Ovum Story
- After turning down the D&C twice, we found my baby at nearly nine weeks!
My First Misdiagnosed Miscarriage
- During my first pregnancy, we believed I was miscarrying at 12 weeks
A collection of Misdiagnosed Miscarriage stories
Bleeding during the First Trimester
What your Doctor may not know about your pregnancy after IVF
Coping With A Miscarriage
Miscarriage News and Research
hCG levels and Pregnancy FAQ
When You've Been Diagnosed with a Miscarriage
Tilted Uterus and Early Pregnancy
16 Days Past Ovulation (DPO) and hCG levels
Blighted Ovum FAQ
Infant Survival Rates during Pregnancy
Progesterone and Miscarriage
Asherman's Syndrome: Why you may want to rethink your D&C
So You've Been Told You Have A Blighted Ovum
Non-Doubling hCG Levels in the First Trimester Do Not Mean Inevitable Miscarriage!
Can Stress Lead to Miscarriage?
The First Trimester: Enlarged Yolk Sac
Getting a Second Opinion about a Miscarriage Diagnosis
Why You May Want an Ultrasound Right Before Your D&C
Is This Really an Ectopic Pregnancy?
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Comments?
Are you suffering from Asherman's or worried you may have Asherman's Syndrome? You are not alone.
If I don't reply to you here, please feel free to e-mail me directly at bonzobean@gmail.com
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Reply
- dayna dayna Sep 16, 2009 @ 11:35 pm
- Hi, I am 28 years old, i had a rough birth of my first Baby 20 months ago, I ended up having emergency c-section, about 3months later, because i was still bleeding, I underwent a D&C. Dr told me the reason i was still bleeding was because my body didn't dissolve inside stitches. I went on the pill after that and i missed a couple of periods. I have now been of the Pill for some time, I have had a normal period since stopping the pill but now i am going on 80days since my last period. I have had hormone tests and alot of other blood test all came back normal. I experience all the signs of ovulation, and I get period cramps often. I feel bloated. I have had an ultrasound approximately 2 months ago, ovaries and uterus looked normal. We are trying to conceive.
My question is should i be asking my GP to investigate Asherman's syndrome or do my symptoms not quiet add up to that.I am getting very worried. Thank you for your time.
Dayna.
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Reply
- J in Sydney J in Sydney Mar 3, 2009 @ 12:23 am
- Hi Kay. I also had IUA (Asherman's) and two of my Youtube clips feature on this page (thanks :)) A lot of the research about the incidence or IUA is not new, it's just been a very well kept secret so doctors could continue performing D&Cs. Consent forms and patient info sheets about D&C in the US and most countries don't even mention IUA as a possibility. I wanted to mention that there are alternatives to D&C besides waiting for a natural expulsion which in some cases is not successful. Medical management using drugs like misoprostol, and surgical removal using hysteroscopic guidance (so the Dr can actually visualize inside your uterus, reducing the chance of injury) are acceptable alternatives. In particular, drugs will eliminate any risk of IUA and can be used during first and second trimester m/c. Please see my clip about the alternatives to D&C: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4mmS4rasyA. My channel is www.youtube.com/Ashermans. Good luck in your journey.
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- Cari_Kay Cari_Kay Jan 13, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
- I know. I didn't know this existed until women started emailing me about it. I was really surprised when I started looking into it more. Many sites claim this is rare and, yet, I'm hearing about it more and more. Newer research certainly is indicating this a growing problem. thank you for the comments :)
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Reply
- raindark raindark Jan 13, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
- Wow i didn't even know that this existed.I am currently trying to get pregnant and have been doing some research. I think that your site is great ,very well laid out and informative.keep it up .
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Reply
- SherryHolderHunt SherryHolderHunt Jan 13, 2009 @ 1:17 pm
- Great information! 5*s
by Cari_Kay
Hello. My name is Kay. I'm not a medical professional but due to life's twists and turns, I've learned a bit about topics like miscarriage (as well... (more)
