Medical Miscarriage: What You're Not Told About Recurrent Loss & Testing Options

When it comes to miscarriage, most people are only told part of the story. The emotional toll is widely acknowledged, but the medical complexity—especially when loss happens more than once—is often overlooked or dismissed. For those who’ve experienced two or more pregnancy losses, the term “recurrent pregnancy loss” (RPL) may finally come into focus. But unfortunately, many are still left without answers. 

 Recurrent loss is a medical condition that deserves deeper investigation. Yet in standard care, testing for RPL often doesn’t begin until after three consecutive miscarriages—and even then, the workup can be incomplete. 

What You Might Not Hear at the Doctor’s Office 

Many patients are told, “It’s just one of those things,” or “You’re young and healthy—it’ll happen next time.” While those statements might be intended to reassure, they can minimize very real grief and delay critical testing. And for those in their late 30s or 40s, delaying answers also delays time—an incredibly important factor in fertility. 

 What you’re often not told is that pregnancy loss can have a wide range of underlying causes: hormonal imbalances, autoimmune dysfunction, anatomical issues, clotting disorders, infections, and even embryo quality. Most standard OB/GYN panels only screen for a fraction of these. And if IVF is involved, some fertility clinics may suggest donor eggs before truly exploring why loss is happening in the first place. 

What Testing Should Include 

If you've experienced recurrent miscarriage—whether natural or via IVF—you have the right to ask for a full workup. That should include:  

• Genetic testing  
• Hormonal testing, including thyroid function, prolactin, and luteal phase support  
• Immune testing, such as antiphospholipid antibodies, and other autoimmune markers  
• Blood clotting evaluations and protein C/S testing  
• Anatomical evaluations, including hysterosalpingogram (HSG), saline sonograms, or hysteroscopy  
• Metabolic and nutritional panels, including Vitamin D, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers 

 This is not an exhaustive list, but it highlights just how multifaceted pregnancy loss can be. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work—and yet, many patients are given exactly that. 

Moving Beyond “Unexplained” 

One of the most frustrating experiences is being told your losses are “unexplained.” While it’s true that not every answer can be found, many unexplained cases are actually just underexplored. There are specialists and clinics that go deeper—like the CHR—that focus on complex or “last-resort” cases. If you feel unheard or dismissed, consider a second opinion from a clinic that prioritizes individualized diagnostics. 

You Deserve More Than Reassurance 

Miscarriage is more than an emotional event—it’s a medical one. If you’ve experienced more than one, it’s not just bad luck, and it’s not something you should have to endure without answers. You deserve to understand what’s happening in your body and what can be done to support a healthier outcome moving forward. 

 Recurrent loss is a diagnosis that deserves compassion, care, and comprehensive investigation. Don’t settle for anything less. We can help you, reach out to our team to schedule a consultation!