A chemical pregnancy is an early pregnancy loss that occurs shortly after implantation. Chemical pregnancies may account for 50 to 75 percent of all miscarriages.
Chemical pregnancies take place before ultrasounds can detect a fetus, but not too early for a pregnancy test to detect levels of BhCG, or beta human chorionic gonadotropin. This is a pregnancy hormone the embryo creates after implantation.
The exact cause of a chemical pregnancy is unknown. But in most cases the miscarriage is due to problems with the embryo, possibly caused by a low quality of sperm or egg.
Other causes may include:
- abnormal hormone levels
- uterine abnormalities
- implantation outside the uterus
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Being over the age of 35 increases the risk of a chemical pregnancy
- blood clotting and thyroid disorder
Read the full article on: What is a miscarriage: symptoms, causes and consequences ( 73).
Joel G. Brasch
M.D.
Gynecologist
Dr. Joel Brasch is the Medical Director of Chicago IVF, founded in 2005. He is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and has over 25 years of direct experience in fertility treatment and reproductive care. He is also the Director of Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
