What are the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy?

Symptoms may begin after a missed period or a positive pregnancy test, but timing varies. Pain may be low in the abdomen or pelvis, often more noticeable on one side. Bleeding can be light or different from a usual period. Some people have rectal pressure, pain when passing urine or stool, or discomfort at the shoulder tip. A pregnancy can be ectopic even when symptoms are mild or absent at first.

An ectopic pregnancy cannot be confirmed from symptoms alone. Blocked Fallopian Tubes and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease are among the factors that can affect where a pregnancy implants, but many people have no known risk factor.

If pregnancy is possible and you have pain or bleeding, contact a clinician promptly and explain the date of your last period and any test result. Assessment may include blood tests and a Transvaginal Ultrasound. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe. Management depends on the pregnancy location, symptoms, and examination; options can include medicine, monitoring, or surgery such as Salpingectomy.

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department for sudden or severe abdominal pain, fainting, marked dizziness, shoulder-tip pain with weakness, or heavy bleeding in pregnancy. These may signal internal bleeding. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, and tell staff that pregnancy is possible.

Could this pain or bleeding be an ectopic pregnancy? What do my pregnancy test and ultrasound show? When should the tests be repeated? Which warning signs mean I should return immediately?