How to Self-Diagnose an Ectopic Pregnancy

Written by Li Li Jie

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Updated on February 11, 2025

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Generally, ectopic pregnancy can be ruled out through one's own symptoms and signs.

Firstly, through one's own clinical symptoms, if pregnancy has been confirmed by a urinary pregnancy test and the patient does not experience abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or other such conditions, but does experience significant early pregnancy reactions like nausea and vomiting, the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy is small. It can generally be judged to be an intrauterine pregnancy. However, self-diagnosis is not very accurate, and ultimately, it depends on an ultrasound to see the intrauterine gestational sac to confirm whether it is an intrauterine pregnancy.

Therefore, the most scientific method is to go to the hospital for an ultrasound and have a blood test for HCG. This method is more scientifically accurate. If an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed, surgical treatment must be pursued immediately as it can be life-threatening.

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Written by Tang Mei Xiang

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 5sec

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Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

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 Yue Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

42sec

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What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy initially presents with a lack of menstruation, specifically in women of childbearing age who miss their expected period and then discover they are pregnant. A few days later, they might experience light vaginal bleeding, which is usually scanty and in drips. Additionally, about 95% of affected individuals will feel pain in the lower abdomen, which typically presents as a faint cramping pain before the ectopic pregnancy ruptures. If a rupture occurs, it can lead to very severe, tearing-like intense pain. If the pain leads to internal bleeding, severe cases may result in symptoms of shock.

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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

1min 20sec

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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

51sec

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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 Zhao Li Li

Obstetrics

44sec

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Can an ectopic pregnancy be treated with medication abortion?

Ectopic pregnancy refers to the condition where the embryo implants outside the uterine cavity, most commonly in the fallopian tubes. A normal pregnancy test may still show a positive result in cases of an ectopic pregnancy. However, around 40 days after missed menstruation, no normal gestational sac can be seen inside the uterine cavity. Diagnosis generally requires a combination of blood HCG level monitoring and ultrasonographic examination. Once an ectopic pregnancy is confirmed, medical abortion is not viable, as it cannot expel the embryo from the body. Other surgical interventions are necessary for treatment.