Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy

After ejaculation, the sperms travel from the vagina into the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes to reach the ovary where fertilization takes place. The fertilized egg travels back into the uterus through the fallopian tube. Major cause of ectopic pregnancy is when the egg for some reason is unable to reach the uterus. These causes include:

Birth defect in the fallopian tubes
Endometriosis
Previous ectopic pregnancy
Scarring from past infections or surgery

The following women are at risk of ectopic pregnancy -

Pregnancy after 35-years of age
Getting pregnant while having an IUD (intrauterine device)
Several induced abortions
Tubal ligation
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
Use of medicines to stimulate ovulation
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Destruction of the uterine cavity lining

Published on Jun 24, 2011
Last Updated on Oct 12, 2020

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

APA

Dr. Trupti Shirole. (2020, October 12). Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy. Medindia. Retrieved on May 26, 2022 from https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/what-are-the-causes-of-ectopic-pregnancy.htm.
MLA

Dr. Trupti Shirole. "Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy". Medindia. May 26, 2022. <https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/what-are-the-causes-of-ectopic-pregnancy.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Trupti Shirole. "Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/what-are-the-causes-of-ectopic-pregnancy.htm. (accessed May 26, 2022).
Harvard
Dr. Trupti Shirole. 2021. Causes of Ectopic Pregnancy. Medindia, viewed May 26, 2022, https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/what-are-the-causes-of-ectopic-pregnancy.htm.