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In a normal pregnancy, the fertilized egg enters the uterus and settles into the uterine lining where it has plenty of room to divide and grow. In a typical ectopic pregnancy, the egg does not reach the uterus, but instead adheres to the wall of the Fallopian tube. As the embryo grows, the tube becomes stretched and inflamed, causing extreme pain in the pregnant woman. If left untreated, the affected Fallopian tube will likely burst, causing gynecologic hemorrhage and endangering the life of the woman.
Hair-like cilia located on the internal surface of the Fallopian tubes carry the fertilized egg to the uterus. Damage to the cilia, or blockage of the Fallopian tubes is likely to lead to an ectopic pregnancy.
Women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) have a high occurrence of ectopic pregnancy. This results from the build-up of scar tissue in the Fallopian tubes, causing damage to cilia and possibly tube occlusion.
Tubal surgery, such as tubal ligation (or the reversal thereof), is also likely to cause cilia damage. And because ectopic pregnancy is treated with tubal surgery, a history of ectopic pregnancy increases the risk of future occurrences.
High levels of estrogen and progesteroneProgesterone is a steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy (supports gestation and embryogenesis of humans and other species. Progesterone levels vary during the menstrual cycle and it is an ingredient of most birth control pills increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy because these hormoneNote that "Hormone" is the NATO reporting name for the Soviet/Russian Kamov Ka-25 military helicopter. A hormone (from Greek horman "to set in motion") is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. All multicellular organisms (incls slow the movement of the fertilized egg through the Fallopian tube. The use of progesteroneProgesterone is a steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy (supports gestation and embryogenesis of humans and other species. Progesterone levels vary during the menstrual cycle and it is an ingredient of most birth control pills-secreting intrauterine deviceAn intrauterine device intra meaning within, and uterine meaning of the uterus), is a birth control device also known as an IUD or a coil . It is a flexible T-shaped plastic device placed in the uterus and is the world's most widely used and inexpensive ms (IUDs), the morning-after pillThe morning-after pill also known as emergency contraception or emergency birth control is a pill regimen that a woman can take up to three days after she has had sexual intercourse to prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg in her uterus. The term m, and other hormonal methods of contraception often result in high estrogen and progesterone concentration and a subsequent increase in the risk of ectopic pregnancy.