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| Risk Factors and Causes | Ectopic pregnancy is much likely to occur when a fertilized egg gets lodged in one of the fallopian tubes instead of continuing its journey right into the uterus, where is it to get implanted. The major factors for the development of an ectopic pregnancy mostly have relations to the processes, which cause damage or narrowing of the fallopian tubes. Thus, most common conditions for ectcopic pregnancy include the following ones:
Previous or present tubal infections, called salpingitis, such as Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), gonorrhea, Chlamydia, etc. These all are infection of a reproductive tract of a female. Any of these diseases can become the reason of the fallopian tubes damage and scarring, therefore, PID is considered to be the greatest risk factor for an ectopic pregnancy.
Previous surgery, conducted inside the abdominal cavity, especially the ones, which involved the female reproductive organs, such as fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, etc. the reason of this is because any surgery within the pelvis only increases the odds of scar formation around the fallopian tubes, and the possibility of tubal damage and / or dysfunction only increases. However, it should also be noted, that local surgery, which was conducted to the outside of the cervix is not considered to be the risk factor for an ectopic pregnancy.
Endometriosis, a disease, in the result of which the lining of the uterus can grow anywhere outside the uterine cavity. Endometriosis can become the reason of the pelvic scar tissue formation, thus the possibility of tubal damage and / or dysfunction increases.
The application of any fertility medications at the time when conception occurred.
Previous ectopic pregnancy increases the risk of a subsequent ectopic pregnancy to as much as 15 percent.
Contraceptive choice. In case if either birth control pills, which all are considered to be hormonal preparations, or an intrauterine device is used in a proper way, pregnancy is not likely to occur at all, however, if it does take place, it is more likely to be ectopic. The same may be said about such permanent method of birth control, known as tubal ligation (it is when your fallopian tubes are tied).
Any abnormality, like abnormal shape, size, etc. of one or both of the fallopian tubes, present since birth. It should also be pointed out that even in case of surgical repairing of this problem, the risk of an ectopic pregnancy is still high enough.
Cigarette smoking. It is necessary to point out that women, who consume much of nicotine are at high risk of their hair – like cells damage, which are present in the fallopian tubes. Thus, the entrapment of the fertilized egg within the tube is much more likely to occur.
However, it is necessary to point out, that there are cases of ectopic pregnancy, which occur without any visible reason. Thus, most physicians consider the philosophy that any woman of reproductive age who is pregnant should be considered to have an ectopic pregnancy until it gets proven otherwise is true.
Still, what categories of women are at the greatest risk of having an ectopic pregnancy? They are the following ones:
Women, who are between 35 – 44 years of age;
Women, who have already experienced ectopic pregnancy;
Women, who have undergone any type of pelvic or abdominal surgery;
Women, who are suffering from Pelvic Inflammatory Disease;
Women, which get pregnant after they were conducted tubal ligation or while they are having an Intrauterine Device, inserted.
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