it has been three weeks since I had surgery to removed an ectopic, and consequently my right tube. i'm wondering a few things.
1. what are my chances of concieving again?
2. I had chlamydia about five years ago but was never told of anything like PID. Is it possble that this is what caused my tubal?
3. What is your take on methyltrexate for treatment and how successful is it?
4. Is it necessary to remove the tube every time?
5. Is there anything I can do to help prevent this from happening again?
6. How soon after a surgery such as this should I expect my first period?
7. I suspect that I may be pregnant again, how soon can I take a home test and have it be accurate?
Thank you in advance
Dear Jen:
Following an ectopic pregnancy, the likelihood of becoming pregnant depends on the state of the opposite fallopian tube. If that tube is normal, there is a slightly decreased efficiency because ovulations are most easily captured from the ovary on the side of the tube.
Chlamydial infection can damage the fallopian tube. Tubal damage can occur without clinical PID.
Methotrexate is an alternative approach to the management of some ectopic pregnancies. Surgery and chemotherapy are complementary options: with a small, unruptured, non-viable ectopic gestation in a patient with no medical problems, both therapies can be used. When the pregnancy has ruptured, is large, is still growing, surgery would be preferred. In the face of pelvic scar that may limit access during surgery, chemotherapy would be the better choice.
Methotrexate successfully treats the pregnancy about 3/4 patients; in 1/4 patients, surgery is still required because the drug fails.
Sometimes one can save the tube and remove only the ectopic pregnancy. This is a decision that only the surgeon faced with the circumstances of the individual patient situation can decide.
The average time from the termination of any pregnancy until the first menstrual flow is 6 weeks with a range of 4 to 12 weeks for 90% of patients. A few patients take up to 6 months before menses resume.
Home pregnancy tests are reliable on the 18th day following ovulation. A blood pregnancy test that give a number so that the doubling time can be followed in anticipation of an ultrasound study 3 to 4 weeks following ovulation is a better monitor.
This information is provided for education purposes only and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.
Keywords: ectopic pregnancy
