Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: I have had left adnexitis for over two years, with recurrent episodes. Recently, I have also occasionally felt symptoms on my right side. However, I do not have children yet, and I plan to have a healthy baby next year. I am also very concerned about the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy. Since I cannot avoid gynecological diseases and they are difficult to cure in the short term, there is also a possibility of ectopic pregnancy. How can I avoid and prevent it?Doctor's answer:
Hello: When a woman becomes pregnant, the embryo implants inside the uterine cavity, which is called an intrauterine pregnancy. If it implants somewhere outside the uterine cavity, it is referred to as an ectopic pregnancy, also known as tubal pregnancy in medical terms. The most common location for ectopic pregnancy is the fallopian tube, though it can occasionally occur in the ovary, cervix, or other sites. If a viable embryo from a tubal pregnancy detaches and falls into the abdominal cavity, it may continue to grow on abdominal organs such as the omentum, forming an abdominal pregnancy. If the embryo implanted in the fallopian tube separates from the tube wall and enters the abdominal cavity, it results in a tubal pregnancy miscarriage. If the embryo's villi penetrate the tube wall and rupture, it leads to a tubal pregnancy rupture. Both conditions can cause intra-abdominal bleeding, but the latter is more severe, often resulting in shock due to significant internal bleeding and even life-threatening complications.What are the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy? In women of reproductive age, if menstruation is delayed and accompanied by early pregnancy symptoms such as loss of appetite or nausea, it may indicate pregnancy. However, sudden lower abdominal pain may occur, which persists or recurs, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or a sensation of rectal pressure. In severe cases, the patient may appear pale, sweat profusely, feel cold in their limbs, and even faint or experience shock. Some patients may have irregular vaginal bleeding, which is generally less than the amount of a normal menstrual period (note: this should not be mistaken for a menstrual period). Therefore, the typical symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can be summarized as three major signs: amenorrhea (menstrual delay), abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding.
Ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous gynecological emergency that requires high vigilance. If any of the above symptoms appear, immediate medical attention should be sought for diagnosis and prompt treatment to reduce or prevent intra-abdominal bleeding, avoiding severe consequences due to excessive blood loss.