{"id":270444,"date":"2025-08-29T12:32:42","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T12:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/invimed.pl\/?page_id=270444"},"modified":"2025-11-26T09:54:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T09:54:32","slug":"ectopic-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/invimed.pl\/en\/przyczyny-nieplodnosci\/ciaza-pozamaciczna","title":{"rendered":"Ectopic pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised ovum nests outside the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy is put at 0.5% to 2% of all pregnancies; unfortunately, the risk of recurrence increases tenfold. It is ectopic pregnancies that often lead to damage and, in extreme cases, rupture and the need for surgical removal of the fallopian tube, with the consequent reduction or loss of the chance of natural conception. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an ectopic pregnancy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a normal pregnancy, the embryo implanted inside the uterine cavity. Sometimes, however, the embryo may implant outside the uterine cavity, in which case we speak of an ectopic or ectopic pregnancy (ectopia - displacement in Latin). Most commonly (in 97%), ectopic pregnancies are localised in one of the fallopian tubes, but locations on the ovary, in the cervix and even on the intestines or abdominal wall are also encountered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make an appointment for a consultation at Invimed<\/strong>

If you have undergone an ectopic pregnancy, make an appointment for an initial infertility consultation at Invimed. Our specialists will know how they can help you achieve your dream of having a baby. They can order appropriate treatment and tests - including an assessment of the patency of your fallopian tubes.

Make an appointment<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the early stages, ectopic pregnancy has no characteristic symptoms (apart from typical pregnancy symptoms), hence the difficulty in its early diagnosis. As the pregnancy grows, the symptoms are related to the location of the pregnancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the most common fallopian tube pregnancy, non-specific lower abdominal pains begin to appear around the 6th-7th week, which escalate to a condition known as 'acute abdomen' and are accompanied by dizziness and fainting - symptoms associated with bleeding from the fallopian tube into the abdominal cavity, peritoneal irritation and blood loss. There is also often spotting from the genital tract, prompting the pregnant woman to have an early gynaecological check-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The basis of diagnosis is an ultrasound examination, but in the early stages of 4-5 weeks an ectopic pregnancy may not be visible or may give an uncharacteristic image on examination. Rising pregnancy hormone (hCG) levels, with an empty uterine cavity, directs suspicion to an ectopic location of the pregnancy. The finding of a gestational follicle structure with a visible embryo outside the uterine cavity provides certainty and confirms the primary diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pregnancy test (hCG test) alone can never detect or differentiate ectopic pregnancy. In the initial period, when we follow the rate of increase of hCG from the moment of expected implantation, poor growth rates of chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can suggest abnormal implantation, but also many other pathologies of the gestational follicle itself. Only the combination of ultrasound and hCG testing allows a more precise diagnosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What causes a pregnancy to locate outside the uterus?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

More often than not, the embryo gets stuck in its journey through the fallopian tube, from the place where fertilisation took place, towards the uterine cavity within an obstruction of some kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These may be minor adhesions in the fallopian tube, diverticula or damage to the structure of the fallopian tube. These lesions are either congenital or result from inflammation within the adnexa (especially caused by chlamydia trachomatis<\/a> or after complicated appendicitis), with the presence of small foci of endometriosis<\/a> or after pelvic surgery. Adhesions both compressing the fallopian tube from outside and inside are the most common cause of embryo retention and implantation in an abnormal location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excessive uterine contraction activity can also lead to the embryo moving back into the fallopian tube or into the cervix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the effects of ectopic pregnancy on a woman's fertility?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The effects of ectopic pregnancy on fertility depend on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n