{"id":24534,"date":"2025-03-27T10:00:40","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T10:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=24534"},"modified":"2025-06-27T12:10:41","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T12:10:41","slug":"ectopic-pregnancy-how-to-detect-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/pregnancy\/ectopic-pregnancy-how-to-detect-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Ectopic pregnancy: how to detect it?"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), ectopic pregnancies account for 2% of pregnancies<\/strong>, affecting approximately 15,000 women per year in France<\/strong>. <\/span>What does this significant yet <\/span>relatively<\/span> little-known complication entail? <\/span>How can it be detected?<\/span><\/p>\n

Ectopic Pregnancy<\/strong>: Let’s take a closer look.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is an ectopic pregnancy?<\/span><\/h2>\n

An ectopic pregnancy (EP)<\/strong><\/span> is a serious complication<\/strong> of pregnancy. Specifically, during implantation, the fertilized egg implants <\/strong><\/span>outside the uterine cavity<\/strong> (<\/span>unlike a “normal” pregnancy, referred to as <\/span>an intrauterine pregnancy) and thus outside the endometrium. <\/span>Typically, the egg implants in one of the two fallopian tubes instead of continuing its journey to the uterus<\/strong> (as it normally should).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ectopic<\/p>\n

Good to know: <\/span>we refer to it as a pregnancy because fertilization<\/strong> of the ovum by <\/span>a <\/span>spermatozoon<\/span> has occurred; however, this pregnancy cannot proceed<\/strong>. An ectopic pregnancy cannot develop or result in a child at term<\/strong>. It must be terminated, whether spontaneously, medically, or surgically. An EP <\/span>also <\/span>poses <\/span>a danger to the pregnant woman’s health and must be treated promptly<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Risk factors for an ectopic pregnancy<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even though its origin is not always determined<\/strong>, an ectopic pregnancy can be favored by certain factors<\/strong>. The main ones are divided into two broad categories.<\/span><\/p>\n

History of upper genital infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

Upper genital infections<\/strong> (caused by bacteria such as chlamydia, gonococcus, or mycoplasma) can affect the fallopian tubes<\/strong>, particularly by reducing their mobility. The tube through which the fertilized egg passes will then have more difficulty “pushing” it towards the uterine cavity. The egg is then more likely to implant directly in the tube<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Good to know: yeast infections are not upper but lower genital infections<\/strong> \u2013 they do not expose one to this type of risk!<\/span><\/p>\n

Smoking<\/span><\/h3>\n

You probably already know that smoking is strongly discouraged during pregnancy<\/strong>: the same applies during the preconception period. Indeed, smoking affects the tiny cilia inside the tubes, which help transport the egg to the uterus. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to quit smoking as soon as you have a pregnancy plan<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have difficulty overcoming this addiction<\/strong>, do not hesitate to seek help from a healthcare professional, use the toll-free number available on <\/span>tabac-info-service.fr<\/span> or download the Tabac info service application.<\/span><\/p>\n

What other factors?<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are other, less common risk factors<\/strong>, such as a history of surgery on the tubes or the use of <\/span>in vitro fertilization<\/span> (IVF).<\/span><\/p>\n

Also note that the intrauterine device (<\/span>IUD<\/span>) protects against intrauterine pregnancies but not against EPs. Therefore, it is possible to have an EP even with an IUD<\/strong>. However, an IUD is not itself a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, be aware that in most cases of ectopic pregnancies, none of the previously mentioned risk factors are observed<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ectopic<\/p>\n

How to recognize an ectopic pregnancy: what are the symptoms?<\/span><\/h2>\n

How to identify an ectopic pregnancy<\/strong>? Does it cause specific symptoms<\/strong>?<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms of EP<\/span><\/h3>\n

The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can be particularly difficult to establish<\/strong> as they are often identical to the <\/span>signs of early pregnancy<\/span>. Sometimes, an EP is completely asymptomatic<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, one may observe randomly and depending on the woman<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n