The medical term for an ectopic pregnancy is “extrauterine pregnancy,” with tubal pregnancy being the most common type. The general incidence is about 3%, and patients with a history of ectopic pregnancy have a recurrence risk of 10% to 40%. Additionally, those with tubal inflammation, pelvic inflammatory disease, or a history of tubal surgery, as well as those with various degrees of tubal problems, are at high risk for ectopic pregnancy.

Many patients with ectopic pregnancy may not exhibit any symptoms before a miscarriage or the rupture of the ectopic pregnancy. Some patients may experience amenorrhea, vaginal bleeding, and abdominal pain. If the ectopic pregnancy ruptures, patients may experience severe abdominal pain, increased vaginal bleeding, and even shock.

Is there a way to detect ectopic pregnancy early so that we can achieve early prevention, diagnosis, and treatment?

The answer is yes.

1. Blood HCG

Compared to intrauterine pregnancy, the blood HCG levels in ectopic pregnancy patients are generally lower.

2. Blood Progesterone (P)

The blood progesterone levels in ectopic pregnancy patients are also generally lower than those in normal pregnancies.

When P < 25 ng/mL, ectopic pregnancy should be considered;

When P > 25 ng/mL, the probability of ectopic pregnancy is relatively low.

3. Ultrasound

If the blood test results are consistent with a pregnancy diagnosis, but an ultrasound does not detect an intrauterine gestational sac, and a mass is found in the fallopian tube, especially if it is a new mass with or without signs of intra-abdominal bleeding, ectopic pregnancy should be highly suspected.

4. Other Tests

Depending on the clinical situation, diagnostic curettage, posterior fornix puncture, and laparoscopy may also be performed.

It is important to note that for patients undergoing embryo transfer, ectopic pregnancy should not be considered until the day HCG is checked post-transfer. This is because the gestational sac is too small at that time to be detected by ultrasound. Regular follow-up visits and examinations can help detect ectopic pregnancy and other abnormalities as early as possible. If ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed, the doctor will choose medication or surgical treatment based on the evaluation.