What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?
Disease description:
My wife has recently experienced some vaginal bleeding, and we are concerned it might be an ectopic pregnancy. Could you please tell us, doctor, what are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
Ectopic pregnancy symptoms include amenorrhea, vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, a feeling of rectal pressure, and shock.
1. Amenorrhea: Ectopic pregnancy can also present with amenorrhea; most patients have a history of missed periods, usually lasting 6-8 weeks.
2. Vaginal bleeding: After amenorrhea, patients with ectopic pregnancy may experience irregular vaginal bleeding. This bleeding is typically light, dark in color, and sometimes accompanied by membrane-like tissue.
3. Abdominal pain: As the ectopic embryo develops, it can stimulate nerves at the implantation site, causing abdominal pain. This pain may manifest as dull, cramping, or distending pain, typically located in the lower abdomen.
4. Feeling of rectal pressure: Some patients with ectopic pregnancy may experience a sensation of rectal fullness. This is a characteristic manifestation caused by blood accumulating in the pelvis after rupture of the mass-like tissue, which then stimulates the rectouterine pouch.
5. Shock: In cases of ruptured ectopic pregnancy, acute massive internal bleeding may lead to symptoms of shock, including dizziness, pallor, weak pulse, decreased blood pressure, and profuse cold sweats.
Women should undergo comprehensive examinations before pregnancy to understand their health status and prevent ectopic pregnancy. If diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy, prompt medical attention and surgical treatment are necessary to terminate the pregnancy and prevent worsening of the condition.
