Ectopic pregnancy starts to cause abdominal pain at how many weeks?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on March 15, 2025
00:00
00:00

Ectopic pregnancy refers to the implantation of the gestational sac outside the uterus, with over 95% of ectopic pregnancies being tubal pregnancies. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include lower abdominal pain, vaginal spotting, and shock. In many cases, there are no obvious clinical symptoms in the early stages of an ectopic pregnancy. This is because the gestational sac is relatively small, causing less irritation locally and not leading to significant abdominal pain. However, if the ectopic pregnancy grows significantly, it can irritate the fallopian tube and also stimulate the peritoneum, causing abdominal pain. Around five weeks, significant pain can be felt, but as the pregnancy progresses, this pain can increase in severity and may lead to rupture of the tubal pregnancy, causing hemorrhagic shock, which then necessitates emergency medical intervention.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
50sec home-news-image

How is an ectopic pregnancy caused?

Ectopic pregnancy refers to the implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity. A pregnancy located outside the uterine cavity is commonly known as an ectopic pregnancy. The most common type of ectopic pregnancy is a tubal pregnancy, though less common types include abdominal, ovarian, and cervical pregnancies. How does an ectopic pregnancy occur? Inflammation is the most common cause, as it can lead to adhesions in the fallopian tubes or pelvic area, causing abnormal transport in the fallopian tubes. Additionally, ectopic pregnancies can result from scarring after surgeries, such as pregnancies in cesarean section scars, and from anomalies of the uterus, like pregnancies in a remaining part of the uterus.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Mei Xiang
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 16sec home-news-image

Ectopic pregnancy causes

Ectopic pregnancy is commonly referred to as such, but it is actually called extrauterine pregnancy. Extrauterine pregnancy refers to the implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity, including cervical pregnancy, broad ligament pregnancy, ovarian pregnancy, abdominal pregnancy, and tubal pregnancy, with tubal pregnancy being the most common clinically. The causes of ectopic pregnancy include the recent increase in cesarean section rates, leading to more scar pregnancies, which are also a type of extrauterine pregnancy. Furthermore, abnormalities like uterine malformations also belong to extrauterine pregnancies. Clinically, the most common type is tubal pregnancy, mainly caused by inflammation of the fallopian tubes. Other factors include previous tubal surgeries or history of tubal pregnancy, congenital malformations, and abnormal function of the fallopian tubes. Additionally, the use of assisted reproductive technologies has also increased the chances of extrauterine pregnancies.

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 Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
42sec home-news-image

Do ectopic pregnancies require surgery?

In general, if an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed, further symptomatic examinations and treatments are necessary. Normally, it is recommended to determine the specific location of the ectopic pregnancy and any changes in vital signs under ultrasound examination. If the patient's vital signs are stable, the ectopic site has not ruptured, and there is no intraperitoneal bleeding, conservative medical treatment can be temporarily administered. If severe intraperitoneal bleeding has occurred, accompanied by changes in vital signs, it is advisable to promptly proceed with surgical treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
48sec home-news-image

Ectopic pregnancy surgery, how many days to discharge?

As everyone's physique and condition are different, the specific needs vary from person to person. Clinically, most people can be discharged in about 7 days. Women must pay attention to bed rest after ectopic pregnancy surgery, avoid vigorous exercise, and only shower with the doctor’s approval, avoiding baths. It is important to maintain personal hygiene, wear loose underwear, change frequently, and avoid sexual activity for the time being. Attention should also be paid to diet; avoid spicy and irritating foods, favoring a light diet instead. It is vital to identify ectopic pregnancy early and take timely treatment measures to not miss the best treatment window.