Can an ectopic pregnancy be detected with a pregnancy test strip?

Ectopic pregnancy cannot be directly detected with a pregnancy test strip.

Ectopic pregnancy, medically termed as ectopic gestation, refers to the implantation and development of a fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity. Test strips primarily detect the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine to determine whether a person is pregnant. Since hCG levels rise in both intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies, the test strip will show a positive result—displaying two lines. However, the test strip cannot distinguish where the fertilized egg has implanted, meaning it cannot determine whether the pregnancy is intrauterine or ectopic. To confirm whether a pregnancy is ectopic, a comprehensive evaluation combining the patient's symptoms, physical signs, ultrasound examination, and blood hCG levels is required.

Diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy requires professional medical methods such as blood hCG level testing and ultrasound examination. Particularly, ultrasound can directly visualize whether the embryo is located within the uterine cavity and assess its developmental status, making it an important diagnostic tool for ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, if you suspect you may have an ectopic pregnancy, you should seek medical attention immediately.