Ectopic pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized outside the uterus. For most people, ectopic pregnancy happens when egg fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes, not the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy can be very damaging to the individual and can cause harm to your internal organs.

Treatments include medical and surgical options. Knowing the risk factors and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can help you obtain treatment faster if you believe that you possibly have an ectopic pregnancy.

What Are the Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy?

The symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can help you identify if your fallopian tube has ruptured. According to the Cleveland Clinic, common symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Lower back pain
• Lower abdomen pain
• Pelvic pain
• Dizziness
• Weakness

If you have experienced a ruptured fallopian tube, the Cleveland Clinic notes that you could have additional symptoms such as:

• Low blood pressure
• Fainting
• Rectal pressure
• Bowel problems
• Shoulder pain

If you believe your fallopian tube has ruptured, this is a medical emergency, and you should consider seeking immediate medical care. A ruptured fallopian tube can cause internal organ damage and sometimes death. 

What Causes Ectopic Pregnancy?

Several factors can increase your risk of developing an ectopic pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists lists several risk factors which include:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Previous fallopian tube surgery
• Past pelvic surgery
• Past abdominal surgery
• Endometriosis
• Certain Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• History of infertility
• Being over the age of 35
• Smoking cigarettes
• Using assistive reproductive technology such as in vitro fertilization (IVF)

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that while these are risk factors, half of everyone with an ectopic pregnancy has no risk factors. Paying attention to symptoms and getting medical attention early can help you get treatment faster and prevent ruptures.

How Is Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed?

If you have the signs and symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy, you should visit a healthcare provider for an official diagnosis.

According to the United Kingdom National Health Service, tests used to diagnose Ectopic Pregnancy include:

• Vaginal Ultrasound: A small probe is inserted into your vagina to view your reproductive system.
• Blood Tests: These measure the level of the human pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood.
• Keyhole Surgery: This is a last resort option for unclear diagnosis or if there is a question about where an ectopic pregnancy may be located. Keyhole surgery involves a small incision to insert a laparoscope to examine the womb and fallopian tubes.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Ectopic Pregnancy?

If you’ve been diagnosed with an Ectopic Pregnancy, various treatment options are available. According to PubMed, there are both medication and surgery treatment options available.

Medication interventions for an ectopic pregnancy include an intramuscular injection of Methotrexate. However, this treatment may not be available for everyone if you have a ruptured ectopic pregnancy or various medical conditions that would make this option risky.

PubMed notes that Methotrexate injections are 70-95% effective for individuals with ectopic pregnancies, and many individuals don’t need surgical intervention once receiving this treatment.

If Methotrexate is not effective or not available to you, you may need surgical intervention. There are two common surgical interventions for ectopic pregnancy which include:

• Salpingostomy: Removal of the ectopic pregnancy through an incision in your fallopian tubes.
• Salpingectomy: Removal of the ectopic pregnancy and all or part of the fallopian tubes.

If you have hCG levels under a certain level, you can also choose an expectant management approach in which the ectopic pregnancy will resolve independently without surgical or medical intervention. The risks associated with this option and the safety of this option are still being researched.

Consider talking to a healthcare professional to determine which treatment option is right for you. 

Overview

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized outside the uterus, often in the fallopian tubes. There are multiple symptoms and tests that can be used to help diagnose ectopic pregnancy. 

Ectopic pregnancy can be dangerous, especially if your fallopian tubes rupture. If you’re exhibiting signs of ectopic pregnancy, consider seeing a healthcare professional as soon as possible to evaluate your treatment options.

For more information and resources on ectopic pregnancy, you can visit the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust. There, you can find support and education.

Resource Links

• “Ectopic Pregnancy” via Cleveland Clinic
• “FAQ’s Ectopic Pregnancy” via The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• “Diagnosis Ectopic Pregnancy” via NHS UK
• “Overview of Ectopic Pregnancy diagnosis, management, and innovation” via PubMed