Ectopic Pregnancy: Symptoms
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Symptoms
An early ectopic pregnancy often feels like a normal pregnancy. A woman with an ectopic pregnancy may experience common signs of early pregnancy, such as:
- A missed menstrual period.
- Tender breasts.
- Fatigue.
- Nausea.
- Increased urination.
As an ectopic pregnancy 
progresses, however, other symptoms develop, including:
- Abdominal or pelvic pain, usually 6 to 8 weeks after a missed period.4 Pain may get worse with movement or straining. It may occur sharply on one side at first and then spread throughout the pelvic region.
- Vaginal bleeding that may be light or heavy.
- Pain with intercourse or during a pelvic exam.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting (syncope) caused by internal bleeding.
- Signs of shock.
- Shoulder pain caused by bleeding into the abdomen under the diaphragm. The bleeding irritates the diaphragm and is experienced as shoulder pain.
Symptoms of miscarriage often are similar to symptoms experienced in early ectopic pregnancy. For more information, see the topic Miscarriage.
| Last updated: | June 06, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Liisa Honey, MD, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Editors: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Pat Truman, MATC |
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