12 Major Ectopic Pregnancy Causes

OVERVIEW

In a normal pregnancy, the egg will reach the fallopian tubes when released by the ovary. It stays in fallopian tubes for 12-24 hrs. The egg waits for the sperm to reach it and get fertilized.

Once fertilised, it will travel towards the uterus which might take 3-4 days. After reaching the uterus the growth will continue until the baby is delivered.

But if the fertilized egg stays in the fallopian tube and starts growing there or anywhere in the abdomen or cervix without reaching the uterus, then that is called Ectopic pregnancy.

As this kind of pregnancies mostly occurs in fallopian tube these are also called as Tubal pregnancies. The growth and development of the egg don’t occur properly outside the uterus so it requires immediate consultation with the doctor.

Ectopic Pregnancy Causes

1. Defects with Fallopian Tube

Any abnormal growth or any scar on the tube or infection in the fallopian tubes may deviate the path of the egg as they get blocked which leads the egg to change its path and choose another place for its growth.

1. If any scarring or inflammation caused in the fallopian tubes due to any previous medical problems or infection.

2. Presence of any structural abnormalities in fallopian tubes makes the journey of egg harder to reach its destiny.

3. If you have any medical condition that affects the shape and functioning of fallopian tubes also results in ectopic pregnancy.

2. Previous Surgeries

If you have any history of pelvic surgery, surgery in the abdomen, caesarean section, appendectomy or multiple abortions, it increases chances of ectopic pregnancy.

3. Genetics

Ectopic pregnancy may be caused dues to genetic abnormalities.

4. Smoking

The more you smoke the more you are prone to ectopic pregnancy. Smoking increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy. The levels of a protein called PROKR1 in the fallopian tube will be increased due to smoking during pregnancy which prevents the fertilised egg to progress to the next stage.

5. Hormonal Factors

In normal condition, the walls of fallopian tubes will get tightened up and moves the egg towards the uterus. But during the hormonal imbalance, the levels of estrogen will be lowered which may cause the malfunctioning of the uterus or the movement at fallopian tubes leading to ectopic pregnancy.

6. Age

There will be a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy at the age of 35 years or older.

7. Sexually transmitted diseases( STD)

If you have any history of sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or chlamydia it may cause ectopic pregnancy. These sexually transmitted diseases don’t have any symptoms and damage to your body. So you can get infected by sexually transmitted diseases and suffer without any knowledge for years.

8. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

The infection of the reproductive organs like ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and uterus present in the pelvis which is in the lower abdomen causes pelvic inflammatory disease which can further results in ectopic pregnancy.

9. Endometriosis

The formation of tissue outside the uterus which is actually the same tissue that forms inside the uterus leads to a disorder called Endometriosis which affects the pregnancy resulting in ectopic pregnancy.

10. Birth Control Techniques

Methods or techniques used for birth control also affect the pregnancy leading to ectopic pregnancy.

1. The devices like intrauterine (IUD) coils when used for preventing pregnancy sometimes in rare cases result in getting pregnant which ends up in an ectopic pregnancy.

2. Permanent birth control: The techniques like Tubal ligation used for permanent birth control involves the process of tying the fallopian tubes. As a result, the fertilized egg changes its path from entering into fallopian tubes and reaches any other place in the abdomen and starts developing which results in ectopic pregnancy.

11. Fertility treatments

The treatments taken to increase fertility may sometime cause ectopic pregnancy.

1. In vitro (IVF) fertilisation: IVF or similar treatments increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy..

2. Conception by fertility drugs: Usage of pills like mini pills or progesterone pill will alter the motility of the fallopian tube that affect the movement of the egg from reaching to the uterus ..

12. Previous ectopic pregnancy

If you have undergone ectopic pregnancy earlier there are more chances of your subsequent pregnancies to be ectopic.

Conclusion

The ectopic pregnancy once diagnosed must be treated immediately. This kind of pregnancy will not last and hence should be terminated as soon as possible. The ectopic pregnancy must be treated as an emergency and should be given required proper treatment and medicines.

The medication and treatment at the right time in the early stages will help to lower the complications of ectopic pregnancy and prevent any health problems which minimizes the risk of ectopic pregnancy in the future pregnancies.

References