Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms
An ectopic pregnancy is normally caused by conditions that obstruct or slow the passage of a fertilized egg through the fallopian tube to the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy may also be caused by failure of the the cell formed after the egg is fertilized (zygote) to move down the tube and into the uterus.
Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding (usually scant amounts, spotting)
- Breast tenderness
- Mild cramping on one side of the pelvis
- Amenorrhea (cessation of regular menstrual cycle)
- Nausea
- Low back pain
If hemorrhaging rupture and occurs before successfully treating the pregnancy, symptoms may worsen and include:
- Referred pain to the shoulder area
- Severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdominal area
- Feeling faint or actually fainting
If you are pregnant, be alert to the symptoms that may indicate an ectopic pregnancy, especially if you are at risk.
- Previous ectopic pregnancy
- Experts suspect that smoking affects fallopian tube function and slightly increases your risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.
- A history of pelvic inflammatory disease, often caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea.
- Endometriosis
- Diethylstilbestrol exposure before you were born
If you believe you're at risk for an ectopic pregnancy, meet with your doctor to discuss your options before you become pregnant. There's nothing anyone can do to prevent ectopic pregnancy, but you can make sure it's detected early.
Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms to E
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