Can Ectopic Pregnancy Be Prevented?
An ectopic pregnancy cannot be prevented. The single most important way to avoid serious consequences is for the ectopic pregnancy to be diagnosed at an early stage (before six weeks of pregnancy). Early diagnosis can preserve your future fertility and perhaps save you from painful and dangerous complications if the ectopic pregnancy ruptures the fallopian tube.
Although there is no concrete way to prevent ectopic pregnancy, pelvic infections caused by sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia or gonorrhea greatly increase the risk. For that reason, using condoms during sexual intercourse to help reduce your risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may reduce your future risk of ectopic pregnancy as well.
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Need to Know: Other Causes of Bleeding and Pain
It's important that you go immediately to the doctor's office or emergency room if you have abnormal bleeding and abdominal pain during your pregnancy. These symptoms could be caused by an ectopic pregnancy. However, most cases, other causes of pain and bleeding are found, such as:
- Pelvic and bladder infections
- Appendicitis
- Kidney Stones
- Intestinal viruses
- Miscarriage
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