Reasons for fetal heartbeat cessation and recurrent miscarriage if you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS):
- Hormonal imbalance:
Hyperandrogenism: Elevated levels of androgens, especially testosterone, are common in PCOS. These hormonal imbalances can disrupt the normal development and function of the corpus luteum — a temporary endocrine structure in the ovaries. The corpus luteum is responsible for producing progesterone, a vital hormone for maintaining pregnancy. Insufficient progesterone levels can lead to pregnancy loss, including cessation of the fetal heartbeat. - Anovulation, irregular ovulation, and menstrual irregularities:
The biggest challenge for women with PCOS is irregular or absent ovulation and menstrual periods. Hormonal disruptions affect the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries (the ovulation process). If you have ovulatory dysfunction and absent periods, you cannot become pregnant without treatment, as the egg is not regularly released during ovulation. The ovaries contain many small cyst-like structures (eggs), but they measure only about 2–9 mm in diameter, compared to the normal size of a mature follicle ready for ovulation, which is about 18–28 mm. Although polycystic ovaries (as the name suggests) contain many small follicles with eggs, these follicles do not grow and mature properly — so there is no regular ovulation and no regular menstrual cycle, or the cycle may come at abnormally long intervals.When ovulation timing is unpredictable, it becomes difficult to determine the best time for conception. This can lead to pregnancies with weak implantation or early miscarriage, resulting in the loss of fetal heartbeat.