Ectopic Pregnancy Explained

Dr.Taruna Dua, 3 mins read

An ectopic pregnancy is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. It happens when a fertilised egg implants and grows outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube. This affects the further pregnancy process. The fertilised egg cannot survive and causes heavy bleeding and life-threatening conditions if not addressed properly.

Often, very early it does not produce noticeable symptoms. It may have early signs like the normal one. However, as the fertilised egg grows in an improper place, it starts producing signs like pelvic pain and light vaginal bleeding. Some also experience shoulder pain, syncope and other symptoms depending on where the blood collects and which nerves are irritated.

As a fertilised egg does not develop properly and can put the pregnant mother at risk, removing the ectopic tissues is the best option. This is done through medications or surgery.

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Normally, a fertilised egg implants and grows in the lining of the uterus. However, in an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilised egg implants and grows outside the uterus. Apart from the fallopian tube, an ectopic pregnancy can occur in the ovary, cervix and abdominal cavity. This leads to a potentially life-threatening condition.

Symptoms

The symptoms can vary from person to person and the location of the implantation. Following are some common symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Light to heavy vaginal bleeding
• Tenderness in the pelvic area
• Pain in the shoulder or neck
• Feeling lightheaded or fainting/syncope

Causes

Though the exact cause of an ectopic pregnancy is not always known, several risk factors can raise the risk of developing this condition, including.

• Damage to the fallopian tubes: Inflammation, scarring or damage to the fallopian tubes can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
• Previous ectopic pregnancy: Those who have had a previous ectopic pregnancy are also at increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
• Fertility treatments: Women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or similar treatments are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy.
• Surgery: Women who underwent pelvic or fallopian tube surgery are at increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoking can also make you vulnerable.

Treatment

Treatment for ectopic pregnancy usually involves medications or surgery to terminate the pregnancy, ease the symptoms and prevent further complications. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the condition:

• Medication: An early ectopic pregnancy without bleeding can be treated with methotrexate provided you fulfil the criteria for conservative management as judged by your treating doctor. This medication stops cell growth and dissolves existing ectopic cells.
• Laparoscopic surgery: A laparoscopic procedure is used in certain cases to remove the ectopic pregnancy and repair any damage to the fallopian tube.
• Laparotomy: This procedure may need to be done if the patient becomes unstable due to blood loss.

Tips to Reduce the Risk of Ectopic Pregnancy

Though there is no complete way to prevent ectopic pregnancy, some steps can help you reduce the risk. These include:

• Practising safe sex: Using condoms and limiting the number of sexual partners can prevent the risk of sexually transmitted infections and pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause inflammation in the fallopian tubes.
• Avoiding smoking: If you do, quit smoking before conceiving and during pregnancy.
• Getting regular check-ups: Regular health check-ups can help diagnose any underlying risk factor for an ectopic pregnancy. Book an appointment now with our expert female gynaecologists and obstetricians for a preconception consultation or a second opinion for your ectopic pregnancy.