Patient's question:
I am in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend, and we see each other on average once a month. Last month, when we met, we had sex again. At that time, we didn't take any contraception measures, and we didn't take the pill afterward. I was worried about getting pregnant. Later, I heard from a friend that ectopic pregnancy can also result in menstruation, and I don't understand how that works.Doctor's answer:
The most common and obvious symptom of pregnancy is a missed period. Therefore, some women may carefully check for pregnancy due to this signal of delayed or absent menstruation. In normal pregnancy, the fertilized egg should be in the uterine cavity, while an ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Relying on menstruation to speculate about ectopic pregnancy is unreliable. When considering ectopic pregnancy, it is essential to take into account pregnancy symptoms, thorough examinations, and test results. The most reliable method is to have an ultrasound examination at the hospital. If a patient is facing the challenge of ectopic pregnancy, we should actively adopt treatment measures and avoid delaying medical consultation. If ectopic pregnancy is not treated effectively, it is important to promptly adjust the treatment plan.