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.