Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy depend on the location of the implantation of the fertilized egg, whether there has been a rupture or miscarriage, and the amount and duration of bleeding if there has been a rupture or miscarriage. Generally, there may be no symptoms in the early stages. If a miscarriage or rupture occurs, symptoms similar to those of threatened miscarriage or early pregnancy might appear. Typically, the manifestations of ectopic pregnancy include missed periods, usually about six to eight weeks of amenorrhea. The second is abdominal pain, which is the most common symptom in patients with tubal pregnancies, accounting for about 95%. Third, there is a small amount of vaginal bleeding, which does not correlate proportionally with internal bleeding and is generally less than a normal menstrual period. Fourth, fainting and shock can occur if there is significant internal bleeding. Fifth, a mass may be palpable in the abdomen.

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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.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Can you have sexual intercourse with an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy refers to the embryo implanting outside the uterine cavity, with the vast majority being tubal pregnancies. Generally, intercourse is not recommended during an ectopic pregnancy. Firstly, during the treatment of an ectopic pregnancy, intercourse is inappropriate. If sexual activity occurs during an ectopic pregnancy, the movements are often too vigorous, and the emotions too intense, which is not conducive to the recovery of the body from an ectopic pregnancy. Moreover, it can easily stimulate the rupture of the ectopic mass, potentially leading to substantial intra-abdominal bleeding. Secondly, even after successful treatment of an ectopic pregnancy, such as post-surgery, it is also advised not to engage in sexual intercourse in the short term. This is because the body is generally weaker after ectopic pregnancy treatment and needs some time to recover before engaging in intercourse. It is generally recommended to wait until about a month after an ectopic pregnancy treatment, or until a menstrual cycle has passed, before engaging in sexual intercourse. However, it is crucial to use contraception during intercourse, as it is advised not to get pregnant again shortly after an ectopic pregnancy. Typically, it is recommended to consider pregnancy again after six months.

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Written by Liu Qin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is the probability of ectopic pregnancy high?

Ectopic pregnancy, as the name implies, refers to the implantation of the fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity, not within the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies most commonly occur in the fallopian tubes, accounting for about 95% of cases. Ectopic pregnancy is one of the common emergencies in gynecology and obstetrics, but its incidence is actually not high, approximately 2%-3%. However, because ectopic pregnancy is a leading cause of death in early pregnancies, it is quite alarming. In recent years, however, with the advancement of ultrasound technology, ectopic pregnancies are being diagnosed and treated earlier, significantly enhancing the survival rates and the ability to preserve fertility.

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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 Liu Qin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Causes of ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy refers to the implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity, among which tubal pregnancy is the most common type, accounting for about 95% of ectopic pregnancies. There are many causes of ectopic pregnancy, with the main cause being inflammation of the fallopian tubes. The inflammation can cause the mucous membrane of the fallopian tube to become sticky, narrowing the lumen of the tube, or impairing the function of the cilia inside the tube, leading to obstruction of the fertilized egg's movement within the tube and resulting in implantation at that location. Other causes include surgery on the fallopian tubes, poor development or abnormal function of the fallopian tubes, further development of assisted reproductive technologies, and the use of emergency contraceptive pills, also known as contraceptive failure, among others. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)