…smoking, sexually transmitted diseases main culprits
Ectopic pregnancy, also known as eccyesis or tubal pregnancy is one of the major causes of miscarriages among women. According to the experts, it is a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo attaches outside the uterus.
Speaking on the implication, Dr. Olayinka Ogunbode, a Consultant Obsterician and Gynaecologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said that one out of every 10 pregnancies in Nigerian hospitals ended up as an ectopic pregnancy.
While speaking with Daily Family, Ogunbode said the exact cause of ectopic pregnancy is unknown, but fallopian tube damage is a common cause. He noted that a fertilised egg can become caught in the damaged area of a tube and begin to grow there.
“Common causes of fallopian tube damage that may lead to an ectopic pregnancy may be smoking by women. Women who smoke or who used to smoke have higher risks of ectopic pregnancy although this is not common in Nigerian women.”
He said smoking damages the fallopian tube’s ability to remove the fertilised egg toward the uterus. “Pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID), such as gonorrhea and Chlamydia infections are other major causes common in African women; PID can create scar tissue in the fallopian tubes,” he said.
The gynaecologist said that a woman with an ectopic pregnancy experience common signs of early normal pregnancies like a missed period, tender breasts, nausea, fatigue, increased urination.
“First signs of an ectopic pregnancy may include (usually) vaginal bleeding which may be light or heavy, abdominal pain or pelvic pain, that may start at about six to eight weeks after a missed period.
He explained that as the pregnancy progresses, other symptoms may develop, which may include stomach and pelvic pain which may get worse with straining or movement.
“The pain may occur sharply on one side at first and then spread to the pelvic region, with severe vaginal bleeding, dizziness, signs of shock, shoulder pain which is caused by bleeding into the abdomen,’’ he said.
The consultant advised females of reproductive age to take precautionary measures by avoiding sexually transmitted diseases which may later damage their fallopian tubes.
He said surgery was the only solution in the management of ectopic pregnancies, adding that early intervention approaches can always save the life of the patients.
