One ordinary morning, Ms. Li suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, which pushed her to the hospital emergency room a few hours later. After a series of hurried tests and anxious waiting, the diagnosis was shocking: ectopic pregnancy. This diagnosis not only caused Ms. Li great physical pain, but also took a heavy emotional blow to her. She never imagined that she would be part of this year-on-year upward trend. "
Analysis of the basic concept of ectopic pregnancy: when the pregnancy is not in the expected place
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy is a condition in which a fertilized egg does not implant in the uterine cavity, but grows and develops elsewhere outside the uterus. While this may sound like a rare phenomenon, in reality, ectopic pregnancies are not uncommon in clinical practice and can be potentially life-threatening.
A common location for ectopic pregnancies
The most common location for ectopic pregnancies is the fallopian tubes, which account for about 97% of all ectopic pregnancy cases. In the fallopian tubes, the embryo may implant distal to the fallopian tube near the ovaries, or near the proximal end of the uterus, or even in the middle of the fallopian tubes. In addition to the fallopian tubes, rarely, embryos may implant on the ovary, retroperitoneal, cervix, or caesarean section scar.
Why are the fallopian tubes the most common location?
The fallopian tube is where the egg and sperm meet, and normally the fertilized egg moves within the fallopian tube to implant in the uterine cavity. However, if the fallopian tubes are damaged or there are abnormalities, such as inflammation, scarring or malformation after surgery, the transport of the fertilized egg may be blocked, causing it to implant and develop in the fallopian tubes, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy.
Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy
Inflammatory diseases, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), are one of the leading causes of damage to the fallopian tubes.
History of previous ectopic pregnancies: Once a woman has experienced an ectopic pregnancy, there is an increased risk of recurrence in the future.
Surgical history: previous tubal surgery, such as tubal ligation or ligation and reversal, may affect tubal function.
Assisted reproductive technology: The use of assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), may also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, especially in women with fallopian tube problems.
Through the analysis of the basic concepts and common locations of ectopic pregnancy, we can better understand why cases of ectopic pregnancy are increasing in modern society. In addition, knowing its risk factors can help take preventive measures to avoid this serious health problem.
Symptoms and diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy: timely recognition and rapid response
Ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy complication, is when an embryo grows anywhere outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes. Due to its potentially dangerous nature, it is crucial to know the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy and make a timely diagnosis.
The main symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include:
Abdominal pain: usually sudden, unilateral, and worsens over time. The pain may radiate to the shoulder or neck, especially when lying down.
Vaginal bleeding: Bleeding may be mild or severe, and may be darker or watery than the normal menstrual cycle.
Syncope or dizziness: Patients may experience syncope or a persistent feeling of dizziness due to bleeding in the inner abdomen.
Stomach bloating or pressure: Some women may feel an unusual feeling of fullness or pressure, especially in the pelvic area.
Methods for diagnosing ectopic pregnancy:
Blood tests: Measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels in the blood, and abnormally elevated hCG levels may indicate an ectopic pregnancy.
Ultrasound: Embryonic growth outside the uterus can be observed through vaginal ultrasound.
Laparoscopic surgery: In some cases where it is unclear, your doctor may recommend direct observation using a laparoscope.
Analysis of the causes of the increase in ectopic pregnancies: the dual impact of modern life and medical advances
In recent years, the incidence of ectopic pregnancies has increased, which is related to a variety of factors, including advances in medical technology and changes in modern lifestyles.
The main reasons include:
Use of assisted reproductive technologies: Techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) have made multiple embryo transfers possible, but they have also increased the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Lifestyle factors: Modern life is stressful, and irregular lifestyle habits such as sleeping late and eating an unbalanced diet may affect the endocrine system and indirectly increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Reproductive infections: Pelvic inflammatory diseases, such as salpingitis, are an important cause of tubal abnormalities, increasing the chance of ectopic pregnancy.
History of tubal surgery: a history of tubal surgery, particularly reversal surgery after tubal ligation, may result in impaired anatomical position and function of the fallopian tubes, increasing the likelihood of ectopic pregnancy.
The importance of prevention and early detection:
Preventive measures: include regular gynaecological examinations, prompt treatment of any pelvic infections, and avoidance of unnecessary tubal surgery.
Education and awareness-raising: Raise awareness of ectopic pregnancy symptoms among women, especially those with a history of reproductive illness, and pay more attention to self-monitoring and regular check-ups.