Ectopic Pregnancy Definition and Causes

Definition and Causes

• An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, typically in the fallopian tube.
• It occurs when a fertilized egg implants in a location other than the uterus.
• Causes:
  • Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes
  • Previous ectopic pregnancy
  • Inflammation or infection in the pelvis
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Symptoms

• Early symptoms:
  • Mild cramping or pain on one side of the lower abdomen
  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting
  • Nausea and vomiting
• Later symptoms:
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Fainting or dizziness

Diagnosis

• Medical history and physical examination
• Pregnancy test (hCG levels)
• Ultrasound (transvaginal or abdominal)
• Laparoscopy (if diagnosis is uncertain)

Complications

• Rupture of the fallopian tube, leading to internal bleeding and potentially life-threatening complications
• Infertility due to damage to the fallopian tube
• Recurrent ectopic pregnancies

Treatment

• Medication (methotrexate) to stop the growth of the embryo and prevent further complications
• Surgery (laparoscopy or laparotomy) to remove the embryo and any damaged tissue
• In some cases, the fallopian tube may need to be removed

Risk Factors

• Women over 35 years old
• Women with a history of ectopic pregnancy
• Women with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Women who have undergone fertility treatments such as IVF
• Women who have a history of tubal surgery or have had a tubal ligation

What is Ectopic Pregnancy?

• A pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, typically in the fallopian tube.
• Occurs when a fertilized egg implants in a location other than the uterus.

Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy

• Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes.
• Previous ectopic pregnancy.
• Inflammation or infection in the pelvis.
• Hormonal imbalances.
• Assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

Early Symptoms

• Mild cramping or pain on one side of the lower abdomen.
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Later Symptoms

• Severe abdominal pain.
• Heavy bleeding.
• Fainting or dizziness.

Diagnosis of Ectopic Pregnancy

• Medical history and physical examination.
• Pregnancy test (hCG levels).
• Ultrasound (transvaginal or abdominal).
• Laparoscopy (if diagnosis is uncertain).

Complications of Ectopic Pregnancy

• Rupture of the fallopian tube, leading to internal bleeding and potentially life-threatening complications.
• Infertility due to damage to the fallopian tube.
• Recurrent ectopic pregnancies.

Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy

• Medication (methotrexate) to stop the growth of the embryo and prevent further complications.
• Surgery (laparoscopy or laparotomy) to remove the embryo and any damaged tissue.
• In some cases, the fallopian tube may need to be removed.

Risk Factors for Ectopic Pregnancy

• Women over 35 years old.
• Women with a history of ectopic pregnancy.
• Women with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
• Women who have undergone fertility treatments such as IVF.
• Women who have a history of tubal surgery or have had a tubal ligation.