Top 10 Risk Factors You Might Come Across with Ectopic Pregnancy

Author: Kate Steel

Ectopic pregnancy starts in the wrong place. An embryo needs to develop within the womb, but in an ectopic pregnancy, it happens outside it. It occurs in one of the fallopian tubes and sometimes in the cervix, ovary or the abdomen. A pregnancy out of uterus can’t survive and is a major problem. It can be critical to living if not treated. Out of 100, 1 can be an ectopic pregnancy, and 30 % happens for no reason. Below are the top 10 risk factors for the remaining 70%.

  1. If fallopian tubes have gone through a past surgery then you are at a risk. And other surgeries like an appendix out and abdominal surgeries like sterilization reversal and Caesarian section.
  2. Structural problems-Having unusually shaped fallopian tubes in can cause issues. If your tubes are damaged, they can become disfigured, sore or narrower, making it tough for a fertilized egg to go up to your womb and increase the chance of implanting of the egg where it is not apt.
  3. Smoking-Smoking aids the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. Research says that smoking raised levels of a protein called PROKR1 in the fallopian tubes, making them function less. This makes the egg stick on the inside of the tube.
  4. Previous ectopic- A prior ectopic pregnancy puts you at risk of another.
  5. Your age-Studies say over 35 or 40 aged women can be at a risk of ectopic pregnancy.
  6. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)-Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) happens by sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia or gonorrhea which affects the fallopian tubes. If you have PID and are unaware of it till you start trying for a baby it can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. PID makes the tiny hair on the lining of your tubes unable to send the egg to your uterus for implantation; it can also scar the tubes.
  7. Endometriosis- It causes the endometrial cells and tissues in the womb to grow in other areas of the pelvis. This renegade tissue sheds monthly blood too which ends in scarring and adhesions. The fallopian tubes are affected by endometriosis. Scarring can cause them to get damaged, curled or stuck to organs, which makes it harder for a fertilized egg to pass through.
  8. IUD and the mini pill-Two forms of contraceptive are linked to higher ectopic risks: the coil (IUD) and the progesterone-only birth control pill or mini pill. The chances of getting pregnant while using an IUD are Low.
  9. Tied tubes-If you’ve had a tubal ligation, it can aid an ectopic pregnancy. Tubal reversal surgery can be done: over half of women who have one can get pregnant, but the surgery is tough on tubes.

10. Fertility treatments and drugs IVF centres in India help in beating tubal problems as it bypasses the fallopian tubes.

Taking fertility medicines for ovulation are risky. Study of fertility drugs and ectopics is still on; it also says that the ectopic risk could be special for cycles which are fresh and frozen.

IVF treatment in India can solve these risk factors with a nominal IVF cost if treated timely.