Will an IUD cause an ectopic pregnancy?

Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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IUD insertion can cause ectopic pregnancy because it is a minor gynecological surgery and an invasive procedure. Any invasive operation can potentially trigger pelvic inflammatory disease. The occurrence of pelvic inflammatory disease can lead to inflammation of the fallopian tubes, which is one of the main causes of ectopic pregnancy. Moreover, not every patient is suitable for an IUD. These devices come in many shapes, and there should be an optimal match between the shape of the IUD and the size and form of the uterine cavity. If the IUD does not match the patient's uterine cavity size and shape, it may not effectively prevent pregnancy, thus increasing the risk of pregnancy with the IUD in place, including the occurrence of ectopic pregnancies. In conclusion, IUD insertion can lead to ectopic pregnancies.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Ectopic pregnancy characteristics

Lower unilateral abdominal pain, irregular vaginal bleeding, and even after 50 days of pregnancy, the ultrasound still does not show the gestational sac implanted in the uterine cavity. An ultrasound can be used to understand the size and location of the gestational sac. The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are often atypical. Some patients may experience shock due to heavy bleeding, with pale complexion and a drop in blood pressure. It is important to hospitalize timely for the treatment of ectopic pregnancy to prevent life-threatening severe bleeding. In cases of ectopic pregnancy, blood hCG levels may not increase.

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Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy depend on the location of the implantation of the fertilized egg, whether there has been a rupture or miscarriage, and the amount and duration of bleeding if there has been a rupture or miscarriage. Generally, there may be no symptoms in the early stages. If a miscarriage or rupture occurs, symptoms similar to those of threatened miscarriage or early pregnancy might appear. Typically, the manifestations of ectopic pregnancy include missed periods, usually about six to eight weeks of amenorrhea. The second is abdominal pain, which is the most common symptom in patients with tubal pregnancies, accounting for about 95%. Third, there is a small amount of vaginal bleeding, which does not correlate proportionally with internal bleeding and is generally less than a normal menstrual period. Fourth, fainting and shock can occur if there is significant internal bleeding. Fifth, a mass may be palpable in the abdomen.

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Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can you have intercourse with an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy and sexual intercourse often occur when the patient is unaware, specifically during the early stages when there is no bleeding, no abdominal pain, and only amenorrhea is present; intercourse might occur under these circumstances. However, if there is irregular vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain, suspecting an ectopic pregnancy, it is advised not to have intercourse. This is because intercourse can cause excitement, which might lead some ectopic pregnancy masses to rupture, potentially causing severe bleeding.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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How is an ectopic pregnancy treated?

If symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are confirmed, further examinations are necessary before symptomatic treatment can be administered. Normally, it is essential to first determine the specific status of the ectopic pregnancy, whether there is any rupture, whether the patient's vital signs are stable, and whether there is significant internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity. If the symptoms are not severe and there is no rupture, localized conservative medicinal treatment can be administered. However, if the symptoms are severe, accompanied by hemorrhagic shock or substantial internal bleeding in the abdomen, emergency surgical treatment is required.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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ectopic pregnancy symptoms

Ectopic pregnancy is not a normal state of pregnancy. Normally, the gestational sac should be located in the middle of the uterine cavity. An ectopic pregnancy refers to the implantation of the gestational sac outside the uterine cavity. Common types of ectopic pregnancy include tubal pregnancy, ovarian pregnancy, and abdominal pregnancy, with over 99% of ectopic pregnancies being tubal pregnancies. The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include the following aspects: 1. In the early stages of an ectopic pregnancy, there are no clinical symptoms because the early gestational sac is relatively small and does not stimulate the fallopian tube or the local area, thus causing no symptoms. 2. When the gestational sac grows to a certain size, it compresses the tube cavity, causing mild abdominal pain. This pain intensifies as the gestational sac grows and can lead to tearing pain, indicating a ruptured tubal pregnancy. 3. During an ectopic pregnancy, because the gestational sac cannot develop normally, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body are relatively low, leading to endometrial withdrawal bleeding, which manifests as a small amount of bright red vaginal bleeding.