How to Detect Ectopic Pregnancy Early

Introduction

Normal pregnancy happens when the egg is fertilised and attached to the internal linings of the uterus. However, in certain rare cases, the egg is fertilised and attached to the outer cavity or wall of the uterus. This condition is known as ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is a rare condition, with fewer than a million cases annually in India. However, it can still lead to many complications that might harm the rest of the organs. This article will read about the causes of ectopic pregnancy, how to detect ectopic pregnancy early, and its treatment.

Ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilised egg gets attached to the outer wall cavity of the uterus. There are several causes of ectopic pregnancy, which are mentioned below:

• Hormonal imbalance in the body.
• Same to the fallopian tube.
• Inflammation of the uterus due to infection or injury.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Abnormal development of the egg.

The Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy seldom shows any major symptoms. Women suffering from ectopic pregnancy show the same symptoms of a normal pregnancy like missing periods, positive pregnancy tests, nausea, etc. However, as the fertilised egg grows on the outer cavity lining of the uterus, the symptoms become more prominent. The early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Pelvic pain
• Shoulder pain due to the bleeding from the fallopian tube
• More urge for a bowel movement.

If the ectopic pregnancy is left untreated, the symptoms may worsen, and it will severely impact the other organs. Certain emergency symptoms of ectopic pregnancy indicate that the condition has worsened, and you need to visit the doctor as soon as possible. These emergency symptoms will help you to detect ectopic pregnancy early:

• Heavy bleeding inside the abdomen due to the rupture of the fallopian tube
• Light headedness
• Fainting and shock.

How Early to Detect Ectopic Pregnancy

If your pregnancy test returns positive and you undergo any one of the following symptoms, you must visit a doctor for further diagnosis and course of treatment.

• Shoulder pain
• Pelvic pain
• Vaginal bleeding
• Abdominal bleeding
• Excessive bowel movement.

Even though these symptoms may seem like symptoms of normal body pain or irrelevant periods, you must still visit the doctor for further treatment, especially after you have tested positive for pregnancy. This is important for the early detection of ectopic pregnancy.

Risk Factors of Ectopic Pregnancy

Some external factors enhance the probability of you having an ectopic pregnancy. These factors are:

• Earlier ectopic pregnancy

If a woman had an ectopic pregnancy in the past, then there is a great probability of having an ectopic pregnancy again in the future.

• Inflammation or Infection

Inflammation on the fallopian tube caused because of Sexually Transmitted Diseases like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, etc., can increase the likelihood of you suffering from ectopic pregnancy.

• Fallopian Tube Surgery

A past surgery on the fallopian tube might also increase the chances of ectopic pregnancy in the future.

• Fertility Treatments

Fertility treatments like In Vito Fertilization (IVF) may also increase the chances of ectopic pregnancy in women.

• Birth Control Pills

Intrauterine Devices (IUD) are birth control medications. Women's chances of pregnant after consuming these IUD pills are slim. However, if in case of pregnancy, even after consuming IUD pills, then that pregnancy is most likely ectopic.

• Smoking

Cigarette smoking just before the pregnancy can enhance the likelihood of contracting ectopic pregnancy.

Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy

The only treatment for ectopic pregnancy is to remove the fertilised egg implanted outside the uterus cavity. The fertilised egg cannot survive outside the uterus, so it must be removed. If the fertilised egg is not removed, the fallopian tube may burst, resulting in severe blood loss and other compilations.

The fertilised egg can be removed either by surgery or by medications. In the early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, medication might be sufficient. However, surgical removal of the fertilised egg might be the only option in complex cases.

After Ectopic Pregnancy

After an episode of ectopic pregnancy, it is very difficult for the woman to have a normal pregnancy, and the likelihood of ectopic pregnancy in future pregnancies rises significantly. However, if you do get pregnant again, consult a doctor immediately.

You may like: When do ectopic pregnancy symptoms start? (mylofamily.com)

Conclusion

Ectopic pregnancy is a type of pregnancy wherein the fertilised egg is implanted outside the uterus. This leads to several complications and can impact the other organs as well. It is crucial for early detection of ectopic pregnancy for timely treatment. The early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are vaginal bleeding, shoulder pain, pelvic pain, dizziness, nausea, etc. If a woman is pregnant and is exhibiting any of these symptoms, she must visit a doctor at the earliest. The only course of treatment of ectopic treatment is the removal of the fertilised egg, either by medication or surgery. Ectopic pregnancy has severe complications in future pregnancies as well. However, timely diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy are important for women’s health.

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References

• Vanitha N Sivalingam. (2011). Diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy. NCBI