Can an ectopic pregnancy be detected with a home pregnancy test?
Disease description:
I previously had gynecological inflammation, which made it difficult for me to get pregnant. I've been undergoing treatment and recently finished. This time, my period hasn't come, so I'm not sure if I'm pregnant. I'm also worried about the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy. Can an ectopic pregnancy be detected with a home pregnancy test?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhao Xiaodong
In cases of ectopic pregnancy, a urine pregnancy test may yield a positive result, but the following points should be noted:
1. Weakly positive results: In ectopic pregnancies, the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube or other locations outside the uterus, where its growth is restricted, leading to a slow rise in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. As a result, home pregnancy tests often show persistently weakly positive results.
2. Timing of testing: If the pregnancy is very early, hCG levels may not have risen significantly yet, resulting in a negative or weakly positive test. It is recommended to perform the test 7–10 days after a missed period, when hCG levels are more stable and the result is more reliable.
3. Accuracy: Although home pregnancy tests are convenient and fast, their accuracy can be affected by various factors such as test strip quality and proper usage. Therefore, if an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, it is advisable to seek prompt medical evaluation for professional diagnosis.
