Misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy

Introduction

Ectopic pregnancy is a rather serious and life-threatening condition. Namely, in ectopic pregnancy the fertilized egg is not implanted in the uterus where it should be. Instead of that the egg ends in other structures and the implantation can affect fallopian tubes, ovaries, or other tissues. Still fallopian tubes are most commonly affected with ectopic pregnancy. The problem becomes even worse as the woman does not even know she is pregnant since menstrual bleeding continues and she does not even suspect something might be wrong. It all lasts until one critic moment. There are several serious complications of ectopic pregnancy and they include infections, destruction of female reproductive organs and bleeding. Even the death outcome is possible.

The condition becomes obvious when the implanted egg grows big enough to cause certain symptoms. Vaginal bleeding followed by severe abdominal pain are initial symptoms. Vertigo, rapid heart beat and low blood pressure occur as well. Only after the symptoms have developed women tend to visit their gynecologists.

The women who end with ectopic pregnancy include those who have already been suffering from a variety of gynecological conditions such as infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease. Even those women who have already experienced ectopic pregnancy are likely to suffer from this horrible condition once again.

The most important thing is that the diagnosis is timely set and that the treatment starts immediately. Namely, the sooner the doctor discovers the ectopic pregnancy the better are the chances that certain complications, including death, can be avoided.

Misdiagnosed Ectopic Pregnancy

This rather severe condition can lead to death of almost half affected women. This is also the leading cause of death in the first trimester of pregnancy. This is why a doctor should always think of ectopic pregnancy in case that previously symptoms occur and to rule out or confirm the condition. Well experienced gynecologists tend to set the diagnosis on time.

In women the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can resemble those of appendicitis. This is why these two differential diagnoses should be taken into consideration in all the women who are presenting specific symptoms. If the doctor thinks that a woman has ectopic pregnancy the easiest way to establish the diagnosis is to test the blood on human Chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels and to do endovaginal ultrasonography.

Sometimes the doctors fail to set the correct diagnosis. This is because ectopic pregnancy can apart from appendicitis resemble miscarriage, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts. Sometimes even normal pregnancy can present with similar symptoms.

The best way for a doctor to do is to think of ectopic pregnancy as a possible condition and to perform certain tests. This way the condition will be treated on time and will not lead to drastic complications.