What are the causes of an ectopic pregnancy?
There are many factors that increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, and they involve infection or injury that has altered the normal and highly complex function of the fallopian tubes. • Pelvic inflammatory disease – untreated infection can contort, scar or block the tubes. • Appendicitis and peritonitis where the appendix bursts can cause adhesions or scarring. • Tubal surgery – any previous operation on the fallopian tubes – such as sterilisation and its reversal – makes an ectopic pregnancy more likely. • Previous ectopic pregnancy – it is a sad fact that up to 20 per cent of the pregnancies that follow an ectopic will themselves become ectopic. • Previous termination of pregnancy – increased risk of ectopic pregnancy among women who have had pregnancies terminated, especially if there has been an associated infection. • IVF and fertility drugs – where the ovaries are being stimulated by a fertility drug, or where a test-tube fertilisation technique is being used to help an infer
