Ectopic pregnancy – symptoms and course of ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy and requires increased gynecological monitoring over the 9 months. The probability of ectopic pregnancy is 1/100 and is more common in women between 25 and 30 years of age. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy occur in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Factors influencing ectopic pregnancy

The causes of ectopic pregnancy are usually hypertrophic lesions as a result of appendicitis.  Such adhesions are caused by inflammation. Congenital defects of the fallopian tubes such as their overgrowth or narrowing increase the risk. In case of ectopic pregnancy, the causes are also untreated and chronic inflammations – bacterial infections of limbs or teeth. Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are not without impact on complications during pregnancy. Another cause of pregnancy outside the uterus may be the presence of a copper or hormonal contraceptive in the reproductive tract.

One of the most important questions is whether a pregnancy test can detect ectopic pregnancy. It is difficult to answer this question clearly, because the probability is 50%. An ectopic pregnancy and a positive pregnancy test should also be confirmed by a gynecologist using ultrasound. Classical platelet tests detect the presence of beta-hCG hormones in the urine, which are secreted after implantation of a fertilized egg. If the beta-hCG level is high and ultrasound does not show the presence of the embryo in the uterine cavity, there is a high probability of an ectopic pregnancy.

Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

What are the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy? In the first weeks of pregnancy, the symptoms are similar to those of a normal pregnancy – menstrual cramps, breast pain and nausea. By the third week of pregnancy, a woman may begin to experience severe feelings of uneasiness, including severe pain in the abdomen. Suspicion of ectopic pregnancy may be caused by bleeding from the reproductive tract that is similar to menstruation.  Sometimes the expectant mother complains of low blood pressure, increasing heart rate, and pallor of the skin combined with cold sweat. Ectopic pregnancy can sometimes even cause fainting.

Embryo sites for ectopic pregnancy

There are 3 types of pregnancy outside the uterine cavity in a woman. Ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube, ovary and abdominal cavity. The embryo usually nests in the fallopian tube, which carries the risk of the walls of the fallopian tube enlarging and stretching. Such a mechanism often ends with a rupture of the fallopian tube and internal bleeding that spills into the abdominal cavity. Unfortunately, a ruptured ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition.

Treatment of ectopic pregnancy and chance to continue pregnancy

Rapid intervention in the early stages of ectopic pregnancy is usually treated with methotrexate, which acts as a cytotoxic folic acid antagonist. The injection stops the development of the embryo. Unfortunately, the chances of ectopic pregnancy are not great and it is usually removed surgically or endoscopically. After such a procedure, it is recommended to repeat the pregnancy test to check the level of chorionic gonadotropin hormones. Complications may occur during pregnancy after ectopic pregnancy. Everything depends on the health of the woman, her fertility and the causes of ectopic pregnancy. The risk of a recurrence of an ectopic pregnancy is about 15%. If this is the case, you need to consult your doctor in detail.