How is an ectopic pregnancy treated?

Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
Updated on September 08, 2024
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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 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 Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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ectopic pregnancy early symptoms

First, there will be a cessation of menstruation, followed by a brief period of amenorrhea, and then irregular vaginal bleeding will occur. This vaginal bleeding is usually light and droplet-like, and the color is dark red. Additionally, most women will experience pain on one side of the lower abdomen, which manifests as a distension pain. At this time, because the ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube has not ruptured, the enlarging embryo causes the fallopian tube to expand, leading to spasms of the tube, and thus these symptoms occur. If the condition continues to progress, the fallopian tube may rupture, resulting in acute and severe pain on one side of the lower abdomen.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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How many days can an ectopic pregnancy be detected?

Generally around six weeks after a missed period, an ectopic pregnancy can be detected through an ultrasound examination. For women with regular menstrual cycles, if menstruation is delayed by a week and a pregnancy test shows a positive result, it indicates pregnancy. At this time, it is necessary to visit the hospital for an ultrasound to ascertain the implantation site of the gestational sac. In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, it is normal that no gestational sac is visible within the uterine cavity during an ultrasound. The ultrasound might reveal irregular echo areas in the adnexal area, which includes the fallopian tubes or ovaries, possibly indicating thickened fallopian tubes or enlarged ovaries. At this point, one should be vigilant about the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy and seek timely treatment.

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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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What are the early signs of ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy is a common term for what is known as a displaced pregnancy; that is, a condition where the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterine cavity. Therefore, ectopic pregnancy and intrauterine pregnancy are different. In the early stages of an ectopic pregnancy, if there is no splitting of the pregnancy sac or bleeding, there generally are no symptoms. However, the condition can be understood and assessed through some auxiliary examinations. For example, after the cessation of menstruation, an ectopic pregnancy might be accompanied by a small amount of vaginal bleeding, and blood tests for HCG might show that the HCG levels do not double as expected. Or, at a certain gestational week, such as six or seven weeks, an ultrasound might not reveal a pregnancy sac. These are all precursors to an ectopic pregnancy, and if these signs appear, the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy is very high.