Periods After Ectopic Pregnancy

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Periods After Ectopic Pregnancy

Question:

I recently went through an ectopic pregnancy. Is it normal not to have your period after an ectopic pregnancy? When should I expect to start having it again?

Answer:

An ectopic pregnancy is one that starts to develop outside of the uterus. The most common site is the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies also occur on the ovary, cervix and within the abdominal cavity. Only the uterus is designed to support a pregnancy to full term, so almost all ectopic pregnancies will lead to a miscarriage.

After being treated for ectopic pregnancy it may take four to six weeks for the woman to resume normal menstrual function. During this time pregnancy hormones are cleared from the blood stream. This allows the ovaries to begin their cycle again.

Ectopic pregnancy is potentially dangerous because it often causes bleeding that can be severe and life threatening. A woman with an ectopic pregnancy may have pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, and signs of blood loss such as feeling faint. The condition is diagnosed by the combination of a positive pregnancy test, no sign of pregnancy in the uterus by ultrasound scanning, and the typical symptoms.

Treatment for ectopic pregnancy depends on how early in pregnancy it is diagnosed and on the condition of the patient. Treatment with the drug methotrexate can be used in early ectopic pregnancy. However, if there is any suspicion of internal bleeding, surgery is required to remove the pregnancy tissue immediately.

Women who have had ectopic pregnancies are at higher risk for having another. This is why close follow up in subsequent pregnancies is required.

Joan Bengtson, M.D., is assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproduction at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Last updated:	July 20, 2009