Ectopic Pregnancy – Symptoms and Causes
What Happens in Unusual Pregnancies
A pregnancy starts when an egg is fertilized. In normal cases, this fertilized egg sticks to the lining inside the uterus.
However, sometimes the egg implants somewhere else, and this condition is called an ectopic pregnancy.
Most ectopic pregnancies happen in a fallopian tube, which is the pathway eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus. This is often called a tubal pregnancy.
Sometimes, ectopic pregnancies occur in other places, like the ovary, abdominal cavity, or cervix.
An ectopic pregnancy cannot develop normally. The fertilized egg cannot survive in these locations. If not treated, the growing tissue can cause serious bleeding that may be life-threatening.
Tools for Understanding and Treatment
- Ultrasound equipment to locate where the pregnancy is developing
- Blood tests to check pregnancy hormone levels
- Medication options for early treatment
- Surgical instruments for more advanced cases
Early detection tools help healthcare providers find ectopic pregnancies before they become dangerous. Most patients recover fully with proper care and can have normal pregnancies in the future.
Signs of Trouble
Some women with ectopic pregnancies may not notice any problems at first. Early pregnancy signs like missed periods, tender breasts, and feeling sick might appear just like in normal pregnancies. Pregnancy tests will show positive results.
However, an ectopic pregnancy cannot develop normally. As the fertilized egg grows in the wrong location, symptoms become clearer.
The first warning signals often include:
- Light bleeding from the vagina
- Pain in the pelvic area
If blood escapes from the fallopian tube, you might experience:
- Pain in your shoulder
- A sudden urge to have a bowel movement
Your exact symptoms will vary depending on where blood collects and which nerves become irritated.
Danger Signals Requiring Immediate Care
If the fertilized egg continues growing in the fallopian tube, the tube can break open. This causes heavy internal bleeding in the abdomen. This situation is life-threatening.
Seek emergency help immediately if you experience:
- Extreme dizziness
- Fainting
- Signs of shock (pale skin, rapid heartbeat, confusion)
These symptoms could mean the ectopic pregnancy has ruptured, which is a dangerous emergency that needs immediate treatment.
Causes
The main cause of tubal pregnancy (the most common ectopic pregnancy type) occurs when a fertilized egg becomes trapped while traveling to the uterus. This typically happens because of:
- Damaged fallopian tubes from inflammation
- Misshapen fallopian tubes
- Hormonal imbalances in the body
- Abnormal development of the fertilized egg
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase your chance of having an ectopic pregnancy:
- Past ectopic pregnancies: Having one ectopic pregnancy raises your risk of experiencing another.
- Infections: STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause inflammation in the fallopian tubes, increasing the risk.
- Fertility issues: Both infertility itself and treatments like IVF may raise your chances.
- Tube surgery: Operations to repair damaged fallopian tubes can increase risk.
- Certain birth control methods: Pregnancy with an IUD, though rare, is more likely to be ectopic. Getting pregnant after tubal ligation (“having tubes tied”) also increases the risk.
Smoking cigarettes before pregnancy can significantly impact your risk. Research shows that heavier smoking leads to greater danger of ectopic pregnancy.
Complications
Ectopic pregnancy may cause the fallopian tube to rupture. This serious situation can lead to heavy internal bleeding that threatens a person’s life if not treated quickly.
Prevention
You can’t completely prevent an ectopic pregnancy, but you can take steps to lower your risk.
Keep your number of sexual partners limited and use condoms during sex. This helps protect against sexually transmitted infections and reduces your chance of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, which is linked to ectopic pregnancies.
If you currently smoke, quitting before trying to become pregnant is important, as smoking increases ectopic pregnancy risk.
