Ectopic pregnancy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Pelvic laparoscopy

Ultrasound in pregnancy

Female reproductive anatomy

Uterus

Ultrasound, normal fetus - foot

Ectopic pregnancy

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Ectopic pregnancy

Alternative Names:

Tubal pregnancy; Cervical pregnancy; Abdominal pregnancy

Prevention:

Most forms of ectopic pregnancy that occur outside the fallopian tubes are probably not preventable. However, a tubal pregnancy (the most common type of ectopic pregnancy) may be prevented in some cases by avoiding conditions that might scar the fallopian tubes. The following may reduce the risk of a tubal pregnancy:

Avoiding risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), such as multiple sexual partners, intercourse without a condom, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Early diagnosis and treatment of STDs
Early diagnosis and treatment of salpingitis and PID

References:

Jian Z, Linan C. Ectopic gestation following emergency contraception with levonorgestrel. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2003 Dec;8(4):225-8.

Sheffer-Mimouni G, Pauzner D, Maslovitch S, Lessing JB, Gamzu R. Contraception. 2003 Apr;67(4):267-9.

Nielsen CL, Miller L. Ectopic gestation following emergency contraceptive pill administration. Contraception. 2000 Nov;62(5):275-6.

Furlong LA. Ectopic pregnancy risk when contraception fails. A review. J Reprod Med. 2002 Nov;47(11):881-5. Review.

Review Date: 5/15/2006
Reviewed By: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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