Symptoms of Tubular Pregnancy

Tubular pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants in tissue outside of the uterus, and the placenta and fetus begin to develop there. The most common site is within a fallopian tube. However, tubular pregnancy can rarely occur in the ovary, the abdomen, and in the lower portion of the uterus (the cervix).

Tubular pregnancy is usually caused by conditions that obstruct or slow the passage of a fertilized ovum (egg) through the fallopian tube to the uterus. This may be caused by a physical blockage in the tube. Tubular pregnancy may also be caused by failure of the zygote (the cell formed after the egg is fertilized) to move down the tube and into the uterus.

Most tubular pregnancy is a result of scarring caused by previous tubal infection or tubal surgery. Some tubular pregnancy can be traced to congenital tubal abnormalities, endometriosis, tubal scarring and kinking caused by a ruptured appendix, or scarring caused by previous pelvic surgery and prior tubular pregnancies. In a few cases, the cause is unknown.

The administration of hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone, can slow the normal movement of the fertilized egg through the tubal epithelium and result in implantation in the tube. Women who become pregnant despite using progesterone-only oral contraceptives have a 5-fold increase in the tubular pregnancy rate.

Tubular pregnancy carries a higer risk for women who become pregnant despite using progesterone-bearing IUDs. Tubular pregnancy rates for those who become pregnant despite non-medicated IUD are 5%, while the rate for medicated IUD users who become pregnant despite the device is 15%. Note that these rates only refer to percents of the tiny proportion of women who become pregnant while using these methods.

The "morning after pill" is associated with a 10-fold increase in risk of ectopic pregnancy when its use fails to prevent pregnancy.

Tubular pregnancies occur from 1 in every 40 to 1 in every 100 pregnancies. This rate increased four-fold between 1970 and 1992.

Tubular Pregnancy Symptoms:

* Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
* Mild cramping on one side of the pelvis
* Cessation of regular menstrual cycle
* Abnormal vaginal bleeding (usually scant amounts, spotting).
* Breast tenderness.
* Nausea.
* Low back pain.

If rupture and hemorrhaging occurs before successfully treating the pregnancy, symptoms may worsen and include:

* Severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdominal area .
* Feeling faint or actually fainting.
* Referred pain to the shoulder area.

If in any doubt at all, always consult your medical advisor

Symptoms of Tubular Pregnancy

With acknowledgement to 'Medicine Plus'