Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and begins developing outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube, and is a medical emergency because the embryo cannot survive and the growing tissue can cause life-threatening internal bleeding if left untreated. Women with PCOS have an approximately 1.5-2 times elevated risk of ectopic pregnancy, potentially related to hormonal alterations affecting fallopian tube function, altered embryo transport, and changes in the uterine environment from chronic anovulation. Symptoms include sharp pelvic pain (usually one-sided), abnormal vaginal bleeding, and dizziness, and any woman with a positive pregnancy test experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical evaluation.