Download Article
Download Article
Studies show that ectopic pregnancies, where the fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tubes or an area outside the uterus, can turn into medical emergencies if left untreated. Ectopic pregnancies can be the results of a hormonal imbalance or abnormal development of the fertilized egg inside of your body. Experts note that it's important to know the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, as well as how to diagnose and treat this condition with the help of a doctor. [1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
Steps
-
Look for the absence of menstruation. If you have missed a menstrual period, and had unprotected sex prior to that, take a pregnancy test. [2] X Research source
- Although an ectopic pregnancy does not occur in the uterus, your body will present with many of the typical signs of pregnancy anyways. [3] X Trustworthy Source American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Professional association of OB/GYNs focused on education and public outreat initiatives Go to source
- If you have an ectopic pregnancy, the pregnancy test would hypothetically always be positive. [4] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source However, remember that these tests do have the possibility of false positive results or false negative tests, so if in doubt it is always a good idea to visit your doctor for a blood test for a confirmation.
-
Start looking for other signs of pregnancy. If you are pregnant, whether it has implanted in the uterus (as in normal pregnancy) or in the fallopian tubes or elsewhere (as in ectopic pregnancy), you will still likely experience some if not many of these common symptoms: [5] X Research source
- breast tenderness
- frequent urination
- nausea, with or without vomiting [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- absence of menstruation (as previously mentioned). [7] X Research source
Advertisement -
Feel for any abdominal pain. If you have already confirmed your pregnancy or you still aren’t sure, but you experience abdominal pain, then it could be because of an ectopic pregnancy. [8] X Research source
- The pain mainly occurs due to the pressure exerted by the growing fetus on the surrounding tissue, which in the case of an ectopic pregnancy does not have enough room to accommodate the fetus (the fallopian tubes for instance, the most common site of ectopic pregnancy, are not by any means designed to accommodate a growing baby).
- The abdominal pain can be sharp and severe, or in some cases there may be no pain.
- The pain often increases on movement and straining, and is often localized to one side of the abdomen.
- Shoulder pain can also present due to the presence of blood in the abdomen, which can irritate the nerve that travels up to your shoulder.
- Know, however, that round ligament pain is very common in pregnancy. This pain, similarly, is located on one side or the other (or both) and can come in intervals (which usually last a few seconds each). The main difference is that round ligament pain tends to occur in the second trimester. The pain from an ectopic pregnancy will usually emerge sooner than that.
-
Be aware of any vaginal bleeding. Light bleeding may occur due to irritation of the fallopian tubes as they are being stretched, and more profuse and severe bleeding may occur later as the baby grows to the point where the fallopian tubes may actually rupture. Bleeding during any sort of pregnancy is something that warrants examination from your doctor - particularly if it is continual or severe bleeding, in which case you are best to be seen in the emergency department sooner rather than later. [9] X Research source
- Severe bleeding from ruptured fallopian tubes (which can occur as a result of an ectopic pregnancy) can lead to significant blood loss, fainting, and in very rare instances death if not treated promptly by a medical professional. [10] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Other serious symptoms (apart and aside from bleeding) which warrant prompt medical attention include severe abdominal pain, lightheadedness, dizziness, sudden paleness, or mental confusion, all of which could indicate a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. [11] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- Note that something called "implantation bleeding" is entirely normal. This occurs one week prior to your first missed menstrual period (3 weeks after your last menstrual period) and is a pinkish/brownish discharge that should fill more than a few pads. Bleeding from an ectopic pregnancy usually occurs later than this, after the embryo has implanted and begun to grow in a space that cannot accommodate very much growth.
- However, if bleeding at any time is bright red in color, taking up several pads, and not improving within a day or so, it is important to seek prompt medical attention.
Advertisement
-
Consider whether any of the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy apply to you. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, you also need to consider if you fall into the high risk group of ectopic pregnancies. Certain factors increase a woman’s likelihood of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy.
- Generally, women who have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past are more likely to experience such pregnancies in the future too. [12] X Research source
- Other risk factors include: pelvic infections (sexually transmitted infections), multiple sexual partners (as this increases the chance of unknown STI's), fallopian tube tumors or abnormalities, previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, having an IUD, endometriosis, or smoking. [13] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source [14] X Research source
- Also, if a woman has had "sterilization" (also known a "tubal ligation" surgery, when her "tubes are tied" in an effort to prevent future pregnancy), although this is normally very successful in preventing pregnancy if one were to become pregnant the risk of it being an ectopic pregnancy is notably higher. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
-
Have your β-HCG levels checked in a blood test. This is the first step towards the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy. [16] X Research source
- β-HCG is a hormone that is secreted by the developing embryo and placenta, so it rises as the pregnancy progresses and is a more definitive (and reliable) form of pregnancy test.
- If the β-HCG level is above 1500 IU/L (often between 1500-2000 IU/L is suspicious), but no pregnancy is seen with ultrasound, doctors will worry about you having an ectopic pregnancy. This is because the β-HCG levels are normally higher in ectopic pregnancy than in normal intrauterine pregnancies, so it is certainly a cause for suspicion. [17] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source
- If an ectopic pregnancy is suspected due to your β-HCG levels, your doctor will follow this up with a transvaginal ultrasound to see if she can visualize a pregnancy, and its location. [18] X Research source
-
Undergo a transvaginal ultrasound. These ultrasounds can detect 75-85% of ectopic pregnancies (the growing fetus will be able to be seen on ultrasound in that percentage of cases, which confirms its location). [19] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Note that a negative ultrasound does not rule out an ectopic pregnancy. A positive ultrasound (one that confirms the presence of a pregnancy in the fallopian tubes or elsewhere outside the uterus), however, is enough to make the diagnosis. [20] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- If the ultrasound is negative (i.e. inconclusive), but the β-HCG level is high and your symptoms are enough to concern your doctor that you may have an ectopic pregnancy, your doctor will likely recommend a "diagnostic laparoscopy," which is a simple surgery with very small incisions where they can insert cameras into your abdomen to have a clearer look. [21] X Research source
-
Allow your doctor to perform a diagnostic laparoscopy. If your blood tests and ultrasounds seem inconclusive, and an ectopic pregnancy is still suspected, your doctor may perform a diagnostic laparoscopy to visualize your pelvic and abdominal organs internally to look for the spot of implantation.
- This procedure usually lasts for 30 minutes to an hour.
Advertisement
-
Seek treatment promptly. Once the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is confirmed, your doctor will want to treat you very quickly. This is because the treatment for ectopic pregnancy is much simpler when done sooner rather than later. Also, it is impossible for an ectopic tubal pregnancy to "survive"; in other words, the fetus won't be able to live anyway, so removing the pregnancy sooner rather than later prevents complications (which, if left too long, may become life-threatening). [22] X Research source
-
Take medication that will abort the pregnancy. The most commonly administer medication in this scenario is methotrexate. It is given via intramuscular injection, one or more times, depending upon how much is needed to successfully get rid of the ectopic pregnancy. [23] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- After the injection of methotrexate is given, you will receive repeat blood tests to check your β-HCG level. If it drops to near zero (undetectable in the blood test), the treatment will be deemed successful; if not, you will receive more methotrexate injections until this goal is reached, and if it still not attained you may need surgery. [24] X Research source
-
Have surgery to remove the ectopic pregnancy. During surgery, your doctors may also repair or remove the damaged fallopian tube if needed. Indications for surgery include: [25] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- Severe blood loss requiring urgent treatment.
- Failure of methotrexate treatment.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9687-ectopic-pregnancy
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ectopic.html
- ↑ https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/ectopic-pregnancy
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/
- ↑ https://www.uptodate.com/contents/ectopic-tubal-pregnancy-beyond-the-basics
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539860/
- ↑ https://www.uptodate.com/contents/ectopic-tubal-pregnancy-beyond-the-basics
- ↑ https://www.uptodate.com/contents/ectopic-tubal-pregnancy-beyond-the-basics
- ↑ https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/ectopic-pregnancy
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9687-ectopic-pregnancy
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms/
- ↑ https://www.ectopicpregnancy.co.uk/for-patients/faqs/english/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm
- ↑ http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/ectopic-pregnancy/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1941685/
- ↑ http://americanpregnancy.org/duringpregnancy/hcglevels.html
- ↑ https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2000/0215/p1080.html
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/baby/tc/ectopic-pregnancy-exams-and-tests
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5024893/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2270872/
- ↑ http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/568726_4
- ↑ http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/568726_4
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3191676/
- ↑ https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2041923-treatment
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/treatment/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
An ectopic pregnancy can sound worrying, but if you detect it early and get treated, you'll be able to recover from it faster. An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg gets trapped in your fallopian tubes or anywhere other than your uterus. It'll generally show positive on a pregnancy test and you may start to experience regular pregnancy symptoms, like breast tenderness, frequent urination, nausea, and a lack of menstruation. However, you may have additional pain in one side of your abdomen and your shoulder. You may also experience light bleeding at any time of the month. If you experience any bleeding, severe abdominal pain, lightheadedness, or dizziness, visit your doctor as soon as possible. Often, this is nothing to worry about, but an ectopic pregnancy can potentially be dangerous if untreated. If you do have an ectopic pregnancy, your doctor will probably give you a scan to see what’s going on and give you medication to break down the fertilized egg. To learn when surgery is necessary and other tips from our Medical co-author, read on.
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 175,974 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I had an ectopic pregnancy in January this year. I am recovering steadily through reading your articles, which comforts me and gives me confidence to go on. " ..." more
Advertisement
"I had an ectopic pregnancy in January this year. I am recovering steadily through reading your articles, which comforts me and gives me confidence to go on. "
..."
more
