Ectopic pregnancy

Definition

Risk factor and causes

Types of ectopic pregnancy

Diagnosis

Definition

Ectopic pregnancy can be defined as implantation of fertilized ovum in an area other than the endometrial lining of the uterus.

‘Pregnancy in area other than uterus’

Types of ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is classified based on the location of the ectopic pregnancy.

The most common type is tubal pregnancy (pregnancy in the fallopian tube).

Others include ovarian, abdominal, cervical and corneal.

Risk factors and causes

Different types / location of the ectopic pregnancy may have different risk factors and causes.

For tubal pregnancy (pregnancy in the fallopian tube), the risk factors are:

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Previous tubal surgery

Previous infertility surgery

Utero-tubal anomaly

Endometriosis

Smoking

Exogenous hormone

Diagnosis

There is a triad to describe common presenting symptoms of ectopic pregnancy :

Amenorrhea

Lower abdominal pain

Vaginal spotting

However ,high index of suspicious is very important as ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening. When a lady in her productive age presented with one of the symptoms, one of differential diagnosis should be ectopic pregnancy.

Other signs and symptoms include shoulder tip pain and cervical motion tenderness.