What causes a molar pregnancy?
A molar pregnancy, also called gestational trophoblastic disease, is an abnormality of the placenta caused by a problem at fertilization. In a molar pregnancy, the early placenta develops into a fast-growing mass of cysts (hydatidiform mole) in the uterus. Molar pregnancy is a type of miscarriage complicated by a noncancerous (benign) tumor. There are two types of molar pregnancies: With a complete mole, there is only abnormal placental tissue and no embryo. With a partial mole, there is abnormal placental tissue and development of at least some embryonic tissue. Molar pregnancy is uncommon, occurring in about one out of every 1,000 pregnancies in the United States. You are at increased risk of a molar pregnancy if you’re older than age 40. The incidence is somewhat higher in people of East Asian descent. Signs and symptoms of a molar pregnancy include: • Vaginal bleeding • Severe nausea and vomiting • Abdominal or pelvic cramps • High blood pressure If you have these signs and symptom
A molar pregnancy is a noncancerous (benign) tumor that develops in the uterus. Molar pregnancy is caused by a fertilization problem. Rather than becoming a viable pregnancy, the placenta develops into a fast-growing mass of cysts (hydatidiform mole). With a complete molar pregnancy, the uterus contains only abnormal placental tissue. There’s no fetal tissue. With a partial molar pregnancy, the uterus contains abnormal placental tissue and at least some fetal tissue. Molar pregnancy is uncommon. The risk is higher for women younger than age 20 and older than age 35, as well as those who’ve had a previous molar pregnancy. With a molar pregnancy, a woman may miss a period and have a positive pregnancy test. This is because the placenta secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a pregnancy hormone. Symptoms of early pregnancy — such as fatigue and breast tenderness — are possible as well. As the tumor grows, signs and symptoms may include: • Vaginal bleeding • Pelvic pressure or pain •
Is a successful pregnancy possible after a molar pregnancy? Courtney, Kentucky A molar pregnancy is a noncancerous (benign) tumor that develops in the uterus. Molar pregnancy is caused by a fertilization problem. Rather than becoming a viable pregnancy, the placenta develops into a fast-growing mass of cysts (hydatidiform mole). With a complete molar pregnancy, the uterus contains only abnormal placental tissue. There’s no fetal tissue. With a partial molar pregnancy, the uterus contains abnormal placental tissue and at least some fetal tissue. Molar pregnancy is uncommon. The risk is higher for women younger than age 20 and older than age 35, as well as those who’ve had a previous molar pregnancy. With a molar pregnancy, a woman may miss a period and have a positive pregnancy test. This is because the placenta secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a pregnancy hormone. Symptoms of early pregnancy – such as fatigue and breast tenderness – are possible as well. As the tumor grows,
Unfortunately, researchers are still unsure what causes these molar pregnancies to form. It has been theorized that certain ovulatory disorders may contribute to the formation of a molar pregnancy. It has also been theorized that certain nutritional deficiencies, including carotene and protein deficiencies, may contribute to these types of pregnancies. For more information on the causes of molar pregnancy, visit www.molarpregnancy.co.uk, a comprehensive molar pregnancy support site that covers all aspects of this particular pregnancy complication, including its effects on fertility, how to cope emotionally and provides a community forum for networking with other sufferers Whos At Risk for a Molar Pregnancy Unfortunately, any woman, no matter what her age, race, or medical background, can develop a molar pregnancy. Certain factors do seem to increase your risk however. These risk factors include: • being over the age of 40 • having a previous molar pregnancy • having a previous miscarri
Molar pregnancy is thought to be caused by a problem with the genetic information of an egg or sperm. A molar pregnancy can develop during the earliest stage of a pregnancy when: • An abnormal egg with no genetic information is fertilized by a sperm. The sperm’s chromosomes duplicate and develop into a complete mole. • A normal egg is fertilized by two sperm. This cell mass is most likely to develop into a partial mole. Factors that may increase your risk of having a molar pregnancy include: • Age. Risk for complete molar pregnancy steadily increases after age 35.1 • History of molar pregnancy, particularly if you’ve had two or more.5 • History of miscarriage. • A diet low in carotene (a form of vitamin A). Women with low carotene or vitamin A intake have a higher rate of complete molar pregnancy.
