Can a blood test detect an ectopic pregnancy?

Ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy. Once it happens, the pregnancy must be terminated in time, otherwise it may seriously threaten the life of the woman. After amenorrhea and pregnancy, it is necessary to check the physical condition and rule out the possibility of ectopic pregnancy. The specific method is a matter of concern to many people. So, can an ectopic pregnancy be detected by blood test? Let’s take a look below.

If it is an ectopic pregnancy, a preliminary diagnosis can be made through a blood test. However, the final clinical diagnosis depends on the location of the gestational sac determined by B-ultrasound examination. If the gestational sac is not seen in the uterus but is seen outside the uterine cavity, it can be diagnosed as an ectopic pregnancy.

Clinical manifestations

1. Menopause

Except for pregnancy in the fallopian tube interstitial region, which lasts for a longer period of time, most cases last for 6 to 8 weeks. 20% to 30% of patients have no obvious history of amenorrhea, or their menstruation is only delayed by two or three days.

2. Vaginal bleeding

After the death of the embryo, there is often irregular vaginal bleeding, which is dark red in color and small in amount, generally not exceeding the amount of menstruation. A small number of patients have heavy vaginal bleeding, similar to menstruation, and may be accompanied by the discharge of decidual fragments.

3. Syncope and shock

Due to acute intra-abdominal bleeding and severe abdominal pain, mild cases may experience fainting, while severe cases may suffer from hemorrhagic shock. The more and faster the bleeding, the quicker and more severe the symptoms appear, but they are not proportional to the amount of vaginal bleeding.

treat

Salpingectomy is suitable for emergency patients with internal bleeding and shock who have no desire to have children. Young women who wish to have children can undergo fallopian tube fenestration.

prevention

1. Pregnancy and proper contraception

Choose a time when both parties are in a good mood and physical condition to get pregnant. If you are not considering becoming a mother for the time being, you must take good contraceptive measures. Good contraception fundamentally prevents the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy.

2. Timely treatment of reproductive system diseases

Inflammation is the main culprit for fallopian tube stenosis. Intrauterine operations such as artificial abortion increase the chance of inflammation and endometrium entering the fallopian tube, which in turn leads to adhesion and stenosis of the fallopian tube, increasing the possibility of ectopic pregnancy. Reproductive system diseases such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis may also change the morphology and function of the fallopian tubes. Timely treatment of these diseases can reduce the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy.

3. Try IVF

If you have had an ectopic pregnancy before, you can choose in vitro fertilization. After the sperm and egg successfully "get married" in vitro, the fertilized egg can be sent back to the mother's uterus for safe gestation.

4. Pay attention to hygiene during menstruation, delivery and postpartum period to prevent infection of the reproductive system. Determine the location of pregnancy as soon as possible after menopause to detect ectopic pregnancy in time.