- With Mayo Clinic obstetrician and medical editor-in-chief
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
"Nothing helps people stay healthy more than the power of real knowledge about health." — Dr. Roger Harms
As medical editor-in-chief, Dr. Roger Harms is excited about the potential for MayoClinic.com to help educate people about their health and provide them the tools and information to live healthier lives.
The Auburn, Neb., native has been with Mayo Clinic since 1981 and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Harms is a consultant and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and his specialty areas include office gynecology, high-risk obstetrics and obstetrical ultrasound.
From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Harms was director for education for Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Harms was the 1988 Mayo Medical School Teacher of the Year and served as associate dean for student affairs and academic affairs before taking this leadership role. He is the co-author of the "Mayo Clinic Model of Education." In 2008, Dr. Harms was presented the Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Dr. Harms is vice chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and medical editor of the Pregnancy section on this Web site. In addition, Dr. Harms is editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book, a month-by-month guide to everything a woman needs to know about having a baby.
"My medical education experience has grown out of a love of teaching, and that is what this site is about," Dr. Harms says. "If any visitor to this site makes a more informed and thus more comfortable decision about his or her health because of the information we provide, we are successful."
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Question
Molar pregnancy: What causes it?
What causes a molar pregnancy? Is a successful pregnancy possible after a molar pregnancy?
Answer
from Roger W. Harms, M.D.
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
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Uterine enlargement
Molar pregnancy can be diagnosed with an ultrasound exam. The condition is generally treated with a procedure called dilation and curettage (D and C), in which the molar tissue is removed from the uterus. After the D and C, levels of pregnancy hormones may be monitored for a number of months to make sure that no molar tissue remains. It's possible for molar tissue to eventually become cancerous (malignant).
After a molar pregnancy, most doctors recommend waiting at least one year before trying to conceive again. Although the risk of molar pregnancy is slightly higher in subsequent attempts to conceive, most women who've experienced molar pregnancy go on to have successful pregnancies.
Next questionPregnancy constipation: Are stool softeners safe?
- Chiang JW, et al. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 3, 2008.
- Garner EI. Staging and treatment of malignant gestational trophoblastic disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 3, 2008.
- Dorigo O, et al. Pathology of gestational trophoblastic disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 3, 2008.
- Garner EI. Management of hydatidiform mole. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 3, 2008.
