When a woman conceives, the fertilized egg embeds itself with the wall of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy is a condition when a fertilized egg attaches itself outside of the uterus wall. It is an abnormal condition, and pregnancy needs to be aborted.
Ectopic pregnancy can sometimes occur as tubal pregnancy – one that occurs in the fallopian tubes. It can also occur in the ovaries, abdominal cavity, or cervix. If left untreated, ectopic pregnancy can lead to heavy bleeding. Therefore it needs to be treated as soon as possible. If you are diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy, you should visit a gynecologist in Lahore.
What are the Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy?
At first, the woman may have the normal symptoms of pregnancy, which generally include missed periods, nausea, vomiting, and breast tenderness.
When the woman takes a pregnancy test, it will come out positive. But, the pregnancy can not be continued due to improper placement of the egg.
If egg implants itself in the fallopian tubes, its growth can lead to rupture of tubes, leading to severe bleeding.
The signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy become more noticeable as the egg continues to grow in an abnormal place.
Often the first symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. You may have an urge to have a bowel movement or shoulder pain if blood leaks from the fallopian tubes. The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy vary according to the nerve irritated.
The life-threatening symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include:
- Fainting
- Lightheadedness
- Shoulder pain
- Severe Abdominal pain
- Vaginal bleeding
What are the Causes of an Ectopic pregnancy?
The most common type of ectopic pregnancy is a tubal pregnancy-one that occurs inside of the fallopian tubes. It can occur when the fertilized egg gets stuck on its way to the uterus. Tubal pregnancy often takes place when fallopian tubes are misshapen or inflamed.
Abnormal egg development and hormonal imbalance also play a role in causing an ectopic pregnancy.
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What are the Risk factors for an Ectopic pregnancy?
The risk factors associated with ectopic pregnancy are:
- Having a previous ectopic pregnancy.
- Having an inflammation or infection of the reproductive system. It can occur due to sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis.
- Inflammation of the nearby organs of the reproductive system can also lead to an ectopic pregnancy.
- According to some researches, infertility may increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Moreover, women who receive treatment for infertility, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), can also lead to ectopic pregnancy.
- Getting surgery done for the correction of fallopian tubes can also increase the chances of an ectopic pregnancy.
- Choosing an intrauterine device for contraception can also lead to ectopic pregnancy.
- Getting your fallopian tubes ligated- as a method of contraception can also raise the chances of an ectopic pregnancy.
- Smoking cigarettes just before getting pregnant can lead to ectopic pregnancy.
What are the Complications of an Ectopic pregnancy?
Ectopic pregnancy needs to be aborted as soon as possible. If left untreated, it can cause your fallopian tubes to burst eventually, causing bleeding that can become life-threatening.
How can you prevent Ectopic Pregnancy?
As such, there is no way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy. But the following tips can help in preventing it:
- To prevent sexually transmitted infections, use a condom during sex.
- Do not smoke cigarettes if you are trying to conceive.
Conclusion
Ectopic pregnancy is a condition when pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus. It can not progress as a normal pregnancy. Therefore it needs to be aborted as soon as possible. Otherwise, it may cause life-threatening complications. If you have any signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, you must visit the gynecologist in Karachi.
