What should you know about reason behind ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilised egg settles outside the womb, usually because movement through a fallopian tube is delayed or blocked. The pregnancy cannot develop safely in that location. The precise reason is often not found, and it is not caused by something you did.

Scarring or narrowing in a tube can follow pelvic inflammatory disease, previous surgery or a past ectopic pregnancy. Conditions affecting the tube may interfere with the tiny movements that carry an early pregnancy toward the womb. Sometimes the tube appears healthy and an ectopic pregnancy still occurs. A positive pregnancy test with one-sided pelvic pain or unusual bleeding needs medical assessment; these symptoms do not by themselves establish the diagnosis.

Clinicians may use repeat pregnancy-hormone blood tests and a transvaginal ultrasound to locate the pregnancy. A scan can be inconclusive very early, so follow-up may be needed.

Contact a maternity or gynaecology service promptly after a positive test if you have pain or bleeding, particularly with a history of ectopic pregnancy or tubal disease. Assessment may include an examination, blood tests and imaging. Treatment depends on the pregnancy’s location, size, hormone pattern, symptoms and your general health. Options can include careful monitoring, medicine or surgery; your clinician will explain the expected follow-up.

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department for severe or worsening abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, marked weakness, dizziness or heavy vaginal bleeding. These can signal internal bleeding from a ruptured tube. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint. Read more about [Pelvic Pain](/symptoms/pelvic-pain/) and [Ectopic Pregnancy](/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/).

Ask where the pregnancy is located, which tests are needed and when results will be reviewed. You can also ask how each treatment affects future fertility, what symptoms require immediate help and whether a [Transvaginal Ultrasound](/treatments/diagnostics-and-imaging/transvaginal-ultrasound/) or [Salpingectomy](/treatments/gynaecological-surgery/salpingectomy/) may be relevant.