Patient's question:
Now my period is delayed by 8 days, and I have abdominal pain. I'm afraid it might be an ectopic pregnancy. I'm still very worried. When can I find out if it's an ectopic pregnancy?Doctor's answer:
Ectopic pregnancy refers to the condition where a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterine cavity, also known as "extrauterine pregnancy." This depends on the individual. Generally, an ultrasound can detect ectopic pregnancy. You can have an HCG test. If it's positive and an abdominal ultrasound doesn't reveal a gestational sac in the uterine cavity, ectopic pregnancy should be considered. However, first, be aware that the gestational sac might be too small to detect. If no gestational sac or other abnormalities are found, you should repeat the test in 7 days. Ectopic pregnancy usually ruptures around the 40th day of pregnancy. If you have mild pain in the right lower abdomen, it could be a sign of ectopic pregnancy.