How many days can an ectopic pregnancy be detected?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on September 22, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
1min 4sec home-news-image

Does an ectopic pregnancy hurt in the early stages?

Ectopic pregnancy refers to the implantation of the gestational sac outside the uterine cavity, with common implantation sites including the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and pelvic cavity. Early ectopic pregnancy can also cause some pain, with common reasons for the pain including the following: First, the main reason is the enlargement of the uterus under the stimulation of estrogen and progesterone in the body, which pulls on the surrounding tissues and ligaments, such as the round ligament of the uterus, uterosacral ligaments, or bilateral adnexa, causing lower abdominal traction pain. This presents as a feeling of heaviness or menstrual-like sensation. This pain is a normal physiological manifestation during early pregnancy and is present in both intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies. Second, in early ectopic pregnancy, sometimes the gestational sac can cause mild irritation and pressure on local tissues, leading to mild localized pain, which is often not very noticeable.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
45sec home-news-image

What are the early signs of an ectopic pregnancy?

The precursors of an ectopic pregnancy can manifest as unilateral lower abdominal dropping pain, and there may be irregular vaginal bleeding. After 50 days of pregnancy, the gestational sac is not visible in the uterine cavity, and the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are atypical. Some people may experience severe bleeding and go into shock. In cases of ectopic pregnancy, it is imperative to go to the hospital for an ultrasound to determine the size and location of the gestational sac and confirm whether it is an ectopic pregnancy. Timely hospitalization and treatment are necessary if an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 11sec home-news-image

Can an ectopic pregnancy cause a fever?

Ectopic pregnancy generally does not cause fever symptoms unless there is an infection. The typical signs of an ectopic pregnancy include a history of missed menstruation, minor vaginal bleeding, and abdominal pain. When the ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube has not ruptured, the pain is characterized by swelling pain in the lower abdomen. If the fallopian tube pregnancy ruptures, there will be tearing pain, followed by tenderness in the lower abdomen, rebound pain, and abdominal muscle tension, and then fainting and shock can occur. During a gynecological examination, it is possible to feel a mass in the abdomen. Ectopic pregnancies generally require surgical treatment. After surgery, there might be a temporary fever known as "absorption fever," but this type of fever is short-lived and the body temperature does not exceed 38 degrees Celsius. This is a normal physiological reaction after surgery and is not considered a pathological fever.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
39sec home-news-image

What is the best treatment for ectopic pregnancy?

In cases where an ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed, timely treatment is necessary. Generally, around 50 days into the pregnancy, there is a possibility of the ectopic pregnancy rupturing, so early treatment is crucial. If it is discovered before rupture, conservative treatment can be an option. However, if an ectopic rupture has already occurred, surgical treatment is required. The type of surgery depends on the specific situation; women who wish to preserve their fertility may undergo a salpingostomy, whereas those without fertility needs may undergo salpingectomy.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Ectopic pregnancy medical conservative treatment

Under normal circumstances, the treatment of ectopic pregnancy is generally divided into conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Conservative treatment is usually applied when the ectopic pregnancy has not ruptured, using medication for about a week. After one week, a follow-up examination is done to check blood HCG levels and an ultrasound scan. If blood HCG levels have dropped significantly, the ultrasound shows that the mass has not grown, and the symptoms of abdominal pain have decreased, it indicates that the conservative treatment was successful. The threat is only considered resolved when blood HCG returns to normal levels. Otherwise, the conservative treatment for ectopic pregnancy may fail, and surgery will be necessary to treat the ectopic pregnancy symptomatically. If there is a particularly large amount of bleeding or a rupture has occurred, surgical treatment is the only option.