| Defining the problem
In a regular pregnancy, an impregnated egg travels through a salpinx to the uterus. The egg attaches to the womb and starts growing. But in an ectopic pregnancy (also known as an extrauterine pregnancy), a fertilized egg implants in another place but not the uterus, usually in a salpinx. An extrauterine pregnancy is often caused by damage to the oviducts. An impregnated egg may have difficulty in travelling through a damaged tube. Thus, the egg is forced to implant and grow in the tube. Rarely, the egg implants in an ovary, the cervix or the abdomen. If the egg keeps growing in the damaged fallopian tube, it can damage or burst the tube and bring on severe hemorrhage that can be deadly. If you have an extrauterine pregnancy, you need rapid medical assistance to end it before it leads to dangerous problems.
Factors causing salpinges damage
1. Smoking. The more you smoke, the higher your risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
2. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is often the resolution of sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
3. Endometroid heterotopia, which can bring on healing tissue in or around the oviducts.
4. Repeated induced abortions.
5. Exposure to the chemical DES before birth.
Common symptoms
Pain is normally the first common symptom of an ectopic pregnancy. The pain, often one-sided, may occur in the pelvis, abdomen or even in the shoulder or neck. The pain is usually acute. Weakness, dizziness or fainting can indicate dangerous internal haemorrhage, requiring immediate specialist medical attention.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy includes an ultrasouns, a pelvic examination administered to check for pain, tenderness or a mass in the belly. The most useful laboratory test is the measurement of the endocrine profile, in particular of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Medical aid
Treatment of an extrauterine pregnancy is surgery, mostly by laparoscopy nowadays, to remove the extrauterine pregnancy. A perforated tube usually has to be excised. If the tube has not burst yet, it may be possible to repair it.
Future pregnancies
The extent of the operation impacts upon the chance of sucessful pregnancies. If the Uterine tube has been fixed, the chance of a successful pregnancy is commonly exceeds 50%. If a fallopian tube has been removed, an egg can be impregnated in the other tube, and the probability of a successful pregnancy drops below 50%. |
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