Patient's question:
My period didn't come, and after a thorough check-up, I found out I was pregnant. My whole family was very happy at first, but suddenly my stomach has been hurting badly these last two days. At the hospital, the ultrasound showed an ectopic pregnancy. I have taken emergency contraceptive pills twice before. I don't know if it has anything to do with it.Doctor's answer:
Emergency contraception pills work by affecting a woman's endocrine system to prevent the reunion of sperm and eggs and the implantation of fertilized eggs. This mechanism makes it possible that the pill may not achieve the effect of breastfeeding, such as when the fertilized egg has already formed before taking the medication. After fertilization in the fallopian tube, the fertilized egg reaches the uterus through the movement of cilia in the fallopian tube and the peristalsis of smooth muscle. When the drug affects the peristalsis of the fallopian tube, the path of the fertilized egg is blocked, and it cannot normally enter the uterus, which may lead to an ectopic pregnancy. However, the probability of this is extremely low. There are some risk factors for ectopic pregnancy, such as previous induced abortions and overly frequent sexual activity. Emergency contraception pills cannot replace conventional breastfeeding and should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.