Reasons for ectopic pregnancy

A fallopian tube can become narrowed, scarred or slowed, so an early pregnancy may not reach the uterus normally. Pelvic inflammatory disease, including infection that affects the tubes, is one possible cause. Previous surgery involving the tubes, a previous ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis or a pregnancy conceived with fertility treatment may also be relevant. Sometimes no specific reason is found, and this is not caused by anything you did.

An ectopic pregnancy cannot develop normally outside the uterine cavity. It needs medical assessment even when pain is mild or absent. A pregnancy test followed by blood tests and a transvaginal ultrasound can help establish where the pregnancy is located.

Contact a maternity or gynaecology service promptly if you have a positive pregnancy test with one-sided pelvic pain, unusual bleeding or dizziness. Clinicians may repeat hormone testing and imaging because the location may not be visible at the first visit. Treatment depends on the scan, symptoms and examination. Options can include careful monitoring, medicine or surgery. A salpingectomy removes a fallopian tube when that is the safest surgical approach.

Keep a record of pain location, bleeding and the date of your last period. Do not delay assessment to see whether symptoms settle.

Seek emergency care for sudden or severe abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, marked weakness, confusion or heavy vaginal bleeding during a possible pregnancy. These symptoms can signal internal bleeding. Call local emergency services rather than driving yourself if you feel faint.

Ask where the pregnancy appears to be located, whether repeat blood tests or a transvaginal ultrasound are needed, which treatment options fit your findings, and how future pregnancies will be monitored.