Ectopic Pregnancy - Symptom & Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that is situated outside the cavity of the uterus and most frequently occurs in the Fallopian tube. The first symptom is pain, becoming severe, followed by bleeding, whereas in abortion bleeding invariably precedes any pain or discomfort. Ectopic pregnancy is any pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus. The vast majorities (95%) of these are in the fallopian tubes. Other possibilities are the ovary, cervix, or abdominal cavity. It occurs in about 1 out of 200 pregnancies. It is very serious because when the pregnancy grows in these abnormal areas, it can easily cause massive, rapid bleeding, which can result in a decrease in fertility and even death.

There are a number of other factors that will put a woman at risk for an ectopic. These factors include:

  • Congenital anatomical abnormalities
  • Tumors or cysts in the tubes
  • Fibroids in the uterus, which block the tube's entrance into the uterus
  • Endometriosis
  • Scar tissue from outside the tube, which causes constriction on the tube.
  • Previous tubal surgery: previous ectopic, tubal ligation, tubal rejoining
  • Delayed passage of the conceptus to the uterus.
  • Current use of progestin-only oral contraceptives
  • Infertility treatment

Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

Here is the list of some of the common symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, listed below:

  • lower abdominal or pelvic pain
  • mild cramping on one side of the pelvis
  • amenorrhea (cessation of regular menstrual cycle)
  • breast tenderness, nausea
  • Late or missed period (although a woman can start experiencing the symptoms of the ectopic before she misses a period)
  • Pregnancy symptoms

More Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy:

  • Dizziness and fainting (because of the loss of blood)
  • Shoulder pain
  • Weakness
  • Heart racing
  • Bloated and hard abdomen