Causes Of An Ectopic Pregnancy

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female reproductive organs usually caused by bacteria from sexually transmitted infections. It does not always have symptoms, so it can be hard to catch. This is one of the most common causes of ectopic pregnancy. The diseases cause inflammation of the fallopian tubes and can also cause damage fixed by adding scar tissue. Inflammation and scarring of the fallopian tubes are two things that greatly increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Pelvic inflammatory disease is an especially dangerous cause because it can be hard to detect when a woman is first infected. Regular checkups and STI testing are effective ways to prevent oneself from contracting this disease.

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Pregnancy While Using An IUD

An IUD, short for 'intrauterine device,' is a form of birth control. The device is placed inside a woman's uterus and prevents a fertilized egg from implanting. Pregnancy while using an IUD is very rare, but it is not completely impossible. The IUD itself causes some irritation to the fallopian tubes, which causes them to become inflamed. The inflammation increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy occurring.

Additionally, an IUD does not prevent the egg from being fertilized, so pregnancy is still possible, though again, quite rare. If it were to occur, the chance of an ectopic pregnancy would be very high. The goal of an IUD is to prevent the egg from implanting on the uterus, and it does this extremely successfully, but not always perfectly. With the uterus almost always off limits for implantation, the fertilized egg will implant in the fallopian tube.

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