Ecto

Ectopic Pregnancy

An Ectopic Pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo attaches outside the uterus. Signs and symptoms classically include abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, but fewer than 50 percent of affected women have both of these symptoms. The pain may be described as sharp, dull, or crampy. Pain may also spread to the shoulder if bleeding into the abdomen has occurred. Severe bleeding may result in a fast heart rate or fainting. Sometimes there are no symptoms. Risk factors include pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, use of an intrauterine device, previous exposure to a sexually transmitted infection, and smoking.

Causes

An ectopic pregnancy can occur in various locations. They are described as tubal pregnancies in the medical literature, although they can occur in other locations such as the ovary, cervix, and abdominal cavity. The most common location is the fallopian tube (97% of cases).

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is typically by blood tests for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and ultrasound. This may require testing on more than one occasion. Other causes of similar symptoms include miscarriage, ovarian torsion, and acute appendicitis.

Treatment

Treatment options for ectopic pregnancy include observation, medication, or surgery. The choice of treatment depends on the location of the pregnancy, whether the fallopian tube has ruptured, and the woman's overall health.

See Also

• Pregnancy Complications
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Intrauterine Device
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
• Ultrasound

References

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