Why does ectopic pregnancy occur?

Once an ectopic pregnancy occurs, it is a huge blow to the entire family, and it means that the pregnancy has failed. Therefore, the best attitude towards the problem of ectopic pregnancy is to take preventive measures, such as going to the hospital for a detailed examination before pregnancy. If the examination shows fallopian tube inflammation, it must be treated in time before getting pregnant. This can greatly reduce the chance of ectopic pregnancy. So what are the causes of ectopic pregnancy?

Why does ectopic pregnancy occur?

During a normal pregnancy, the sperm and egg combine at the junction of the ampulla and isthmus of the fallopian tube to form a fertilized egg. 30 hours after fertilization, the fertilized egg moves toward the uterus with the peristalsis of the fallopian tube and the push of the cilia of the fallopian tube epithelium. If the fertilized egg has not entered the inner side of the uterine cavity before the late blastocyst, ectopic pregnancy is likely to occur. The causes of ectopic pregnancy include fallopian tube inflammation, fallopian tube dysplasia or dysfunction, intrauterine contraceptive device failure, etc. Disease factors and bad living habits can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy in women.

1. Fallopian tube inflammation. It can be divided into tubal mucositis and perisalpingitis, both of which are common causes of tubal pregnancy. Severe cases of fallopian tube mucositis can cause complete blockage of the tubal lumen and lead to infertility. The lesions of perisalpingitis are mainly in the serosa or seromuscular layer of the fallopian tube, which often causes adhesions around the fallopian tube, twisting of the fallopian tube, stenosis of the tubal lumen, and weakened peristalsis of the tubal wall muscles, affecting the movement of the fertilized egg.

2. History of tubal pregnancy. Women who have had a tubal pregnancy are more likely to have another tubal pregnancy after recovering from surgical treatment.

3. Insertion of intrauterine contraceptive device. The use of an IUD itself does not increase the incidence of ectopic pregnancy, but if a woman becomes pregnant due to IUD contraceptive failure, the chance of an ectopic pregnancy is greater.

4. Fallopian tube hypoplasia or abnormal function. Tubal dysplasia is often manifested by excessively long fallopian tubes, poor development of the muscular layer, and lack of mucociliary tissue. The function of the fallopian tube is regulated by estrogen and progesterone. If the regulation fails, it will affect the normal operation of the fertilized egg.

5. The fertilized egg wanders. When the egg is fertilized in one fallopian tube and enters the opposite fallopian tube through the uterine cavity or abdominal cavity, it is called fertilized egg migration. If the migration time is too long, the fertilized egg will grow larger and can implant in the opposite fallopian tube and form a tubal pregnancy.

6. Causes of disease. Compression from tumors around the fallopian tubes, such as uterine fibroids or ovarian tumors, sometimes affects the patency of the fallopian tube lumen, obstructing the movement of the fertilized egg. Endometriosis can increase the likelihood that a fertilized egg will implant in the fallopian tube.

7. Multiple artificial abortions. Repeated and frequent artificial abortions will cause trauma to the endometrium, making it difficult for the embryo to implant in the uterine cavity. It will then transfer to another place to implant, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy.

8. Bad living habits. Smoking, alcoholism, and taking ovulation-stimulating drugs can increase the incidence of ectopic pregnancy.