Ectopic (ectopic) pregnancy is called this type of gestation, in which the implantation and further development of the egg occurs outside the uterus. The causes of ectopic pregnancy are numerous, therefore, in order to determine specifically what caused the pathology, complex diagnosis is required.
Pregnancy outside the uterus - what is it?
As can be seen from the definition, an ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside the uterine cavity. In the normal course of gestation, a fertilized egg passes through the fallopian tubes, fertilizes and descends lower into the uterus, where implantation takes place - the introduction of the embryonic egg into the organ wall. With ectopic pregnancy, the disorder occurs directly with implantation. For various reasons, the female sexual cell does not reach the uterus and begins to penetrate into the wall of the organ in which it is located.
Where can an ectopic pregnancy be?
Pregnancy outside the uterus, depending on which organ implantation occurs, can be subdivided into:
- ovarian;
- cervical;
- tubular ;
- abdominal.
A characteristic feature of pathology is the high risk of resolution of the organ in which the fertilized egg is located. Pregnancy in the ovary occurs if the sperm penetrates into the follicle, from which the egg has not yet managed to escape. In the cervical type of pathology, the fetal egg passes the uterine cavity and lingers in the neck region.
Less common is abdominal ectopic pregnancy, which is subdivided into subspecies:
- Primary - the attachment of the fetal egg initially occurs in the cavity of the peritoneum.
- Secondary - is observed when the fertilized egg is ejected from the fallopian tube.
Ectopic pregnancy - causes
According to the opinion of obstetricians and physiologists who studied this pathology, the main cause of ectopic pregnancy is the slowing down of the process of fetal egg movement along the fallopian tube. Often this phenomenon is accompanied by an increased degree of activity of the trophoblast - the outer layer of the embryonic cells in the blastocyst stage.
Describing the causes of ectopic pregnancy, doctors call the following provoking factors:
- Inflammatory processes of the pelvic organs. Often the provoking factor are sexual infections - chlamydia, trichomoniasis, in which the uterine endometrium is disrupted. A pathology of this kind can be accompanied by constriction and deformation of the uterine tubes.
- Frequent abortions. As a result of manipulation to interrupt pregnancy, there are adhesive processes, changes in the fallopian tubes, preventing the normal movement of the egg.
- Use of intrauterine contraceptives.
- Hormonal disorders in the body
- Operations on the organs of the reproductive system
- Tumors and malignant formations of the uterus and appendages.
- Violation of the development of a fertilized egg.
- Congenital malformations of the uterus (saddle, two-horned).
- Frequent stress and overwork.
Ectopic pregnancy after IVF
ECO is a procedure in which the fertilization of an egg is carried out under laboratory conditions. Pre-sampling of the best and most suitable for the in vitro fertilization of the sex cells of a woman and a man. After fertilization in a few days, the egg is placed in the uterine cavity, where it is implanted. However, in practice, in some cases, it is different: the egg does not penetrate into the uterine wall, but moves towards the fallopian tubes.
Explaining to patients why there is an ectopic pregnancy with IVF , the reason for the interruption of gestation, doctors pay attention to the increase in contractility of the myometrium. The uterus begins to react to the introduced fetal egg, as on a foreign body. As a result of its frequent contractions, it rushes into the cavity of the uterine tube, from where it can enter the peritoneum. According to statistics, such causes of ectopic pregnancy associated with IVF occur in 3-10% of patients. To reduce the likelihood of complications, experts advise:
- Stay in the supine position for about half an hour after the IVF procedure.
- Limit motor and physical activity.
Ectopic pregnancy after childbirth
Often after recent birth, an ectopic pregnancy develops, the causes of which are associated with an incomplete recovery process. After the birth of a child, doctors recommend a woman to use contraceptives for at least six months to rule out a repeat pregnancy. The body needs time to recover. With active lactation, the chance of becoming pregnant is minimal, but it is impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of conception.
Ectopic pregnancy after sterilization
Sterilization is a radical method of contraception , which involves ligation of the fallopian tubes or complete removal of the reproductive organ. The probability of conception after this procedure is small and is less than 1%. However, if pregnancy occurs, then in 30% of cases it is an ectopic. This situation is due to the peculiarity of the sterilization procedure.
Talking with a woman on the eve of surgery, explaining why there is an ectopic pregnancy, the reasons for its development, the doctor draws attention to the fact that when sterilization is artificially created obstruction of the fallopian tubes. As a result, with unprotected sex contact, spermatozoa entering the uterine cavity can reach one of the tubes and meet a ovulated egg. After fertilization, there is no progression to the uterus, patency is artificially impaired.
Ectopic pregnancy after abortion
Abortion is always accompanied by "stress" for the reproductive system. There is a rapid change in the hormonal background, an imbalance, the restoration of which takes time. In the case of surgical abortion, which is accompanied by scraping, traumatization of the endometrium occurs, a violation of the integrity of the uterine tissues. In the process of their recovery, adhesions are possible, which partially violate the patency of the fallopian tubes. This feature is considered by midwives as the main cause of ectopic pregnancy after repeated abortions.
Ectopic pregnancy after taking OK
The effect of modern oral contraceptives is based on the following effects:
- suppression of ovulation;
- inhibition of the maturation of the egg ;
- condensation of cervical mucus.
All this in aggregate inhibits the progress of spermatozoa, prevents their penetration into the uterine cavity. In addition, drugs affect the endometrium, suppressing the growth of its cells. As a result, the thickness of this layer becomes insufficient for the onset of pregnancy, implantation. Explaining to women why there is an ectopic pregnancy after taking oral contraceptives, doctors pay attention to this effect directly. To restore the endometrium after the abolition of the OK, it takes time - 2-3 menstrual cycles.
Ectopic pregnancy with IUD
Intrauterine contraceptives are one of the most common methods of contraception. It has a number of advantages, however it does not give full protection against unplanned conception. The probability of pregnancy with the method is 1-3%. Physicians note an increased risk: the IUD often causes ectopic pregnancy.
When installing the IUD, an obstacle is created in the path of the sperm moving. However, in some cases, the helix may fall out, shifting it into the uterine tube cavity. At the same time, the movement of the egg to the fallopian tube is broken and access to the spermatozoids opens up. As a result of such a violation after fertilization, the egg remains in the mother tube, as it can not leave it. This fact directly explains why ectopic pregnancy occurs in the IUD.
Ectopic pregnancy - psychological reasons
To fully understand and accurately determine why an ectopic pregnancy occurred in a particular case, specialists conduct a psychological analysis of the situation. Many doctors do not rule out the possibility of the presence of psychosomatics. Emotional experiences that do not find an outlet, go into physical form.
Often this is observed in the habitual miscarriage of pregnancy, when a woman subconsciously adjusts itself to an imminent violation in the future. In the case of ectopic pregnancy, adherents of psychosomatic medicine associate its development with a dubious desire to have children from a woman. Similar causes of ectopic pregnancy are not scientifically proven, but psychologists do not rule out such an opportunity.
Ectopic pregnancy - what to do?
Women often ask doctors about what to do if an ectopic pregnancy is detected early. In most cases, doctors respond that treatment is possible only surgically. Doctors perform extraction of the fetal egg with the help of a special device. With a strong introduction of it in the body may require a canal operation. Laparoscopy is often used. The success of treatment is due to the timeliness of the provision of medical care. If an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed, the operation becomes the only method of treatment.
Ectopic pregnancy - consequences
Women, faced with a problem, are interested in the question of whether it is possible to become pregnant after an ectopic pregnancy. Doctors respond positively, but they notice a high probability of complications after the pathology. Among the frequent:
- large blood loss;
- pain shock.
How to avoid ectopic pregnancy?
Wishing to prevent a repeated violation, women are often interested in doctors how to avoid repeated ectopic pregnancy. Prevention of such a pathology should include:
- timely treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- elimination of abortions;
- use of contraceptives selected individually;
- early registration for pregnancy.