What causes an ectopic pregnancy?

Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:

Tubal problems can cause ectopic pregnancies. Even smoking and douching can cause the blastocyst to not implant normally and to implant in the tube instead. If you've had pelvic infections or a prior ectopic pregnancy, the risk of having another is about 15 percent. Non-white women have higher risk, as do older women.

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Tubal problems can cause ectopic pregnancies. Even smoking and douching can cause the blastocyst to not implant normally and to implant in the tube instead. If you've had pelvic infections or a prior ectopic pregnancy, the risk of having another... More

Dr. Kevin Windom answered:

An ectopic pregnancy is caused by an abnormality of the fallopian tubes. The sperm and the egg unite in the fallopian tube, and as the embryo is being formed over a 2-3 day period, the embryo traverses through the fallopian tube and implants in the uterus. If there is scarring of the fallopian tube or abnormal motility of the fallopian tube, the embryo can implant in the fallopian tube, which is the most common cause of an ectopic pregnancy. The word ectopic means a pregnancy anywhere outside of the uterus, but 95% of ectopic pregnancies happen in the fallopian tubes. There are rare occasions where an ectopic pregnancy can happen in the abdomen, cervix, or the ovary.

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More Related Answers from Dr. Kevin Windom

An ectopic pregnancy is caused by an abnormality of the fallopian tubes. The sperm and the egg unite in the fallopian tube, and as the embryo is being formed over a 2-3 day period, the embryo traverses through the fallopian tube and implants... More

Paula Greer answered:

When the blastocyst implants anywhere outside the uterine cavity the result is an ectopic pregnancy. The incidence is about 1 percent of all pregnancies and is increased in women over age 35 and in women of color. Over the last decade the incidence is on the rise which may be attributed to the increase in sexually transmitted diseases and the use of antibiotics. Factors which increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy: blockage in the tubes from scarring from previous pelvic infections, abnormalities of the reproductive tract, and IUD users. The risk in IUD users seems to be the greatest in the several months after IUD removal so it is wise to practice other methods of birth control several months after an IUD is removed before attempting pregnancy.

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More Related Answers from Paula Greer

When the blastocyst implants anywhere outside the uterine cavity the result is an ectopic pregnancy. The incidence is about 1 percent of all pregnancies and is increased in women over age 35 and in women of color. Over the last decade the incidence... More

Healthwise answered:

Fallopian tube damage is a common cause of ectopic pregnancy. A fertilized egg can become caught in the damaged area of a tube and begin to grow there. Some ectopic pregnancies develop without any known cause.

Common causes of fallopian tube damage that may lead to an ectopic pregnancy include:

Smoking. Women who smoke or who used to smoke have higher rates of ectopic pregnancy. The more you smoke, the higher your risk. Smoking is thought to damage the fallopian tubes' ability to move the fertilized egg toward the uterus.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), such as from a chlamydia or gonorrhea infection. PID can create scar tissue in the fallopian tubes.
Fallopian tube surgery, often used to reverse a tubal ligation or to repair a scarred or blocked tube.
A previous ectopic pregnancy in a fallopian tube.

Although pregnancy is rare after a tubal ligation or with an intrauterine device (IUD), those pregnancies that do develop have an increased chance of being ectopic.