Treatment FAQ

how fertility treatment can cause ectopic pregnancy

by Monroe Gislason Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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One of the potential risks of fertility treatments such as In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination

Artificial insemination

Artificial insemination is the deliberate introduction of sperm into a female's cervix or uterine cavity for the purpose of achieving a pregnancy through in vivo fertilization by means other than sexual intercourse. It is a fertility treatment for humans, and is common practice i…

(IUI) is the increased chance of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a woman’s egg is fertilised by her partner’s sperm and the resulting embryo implants somewhere outside the woman’s womb.

There are instances where removal of the fallopian tubes is required. If so, fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) offer options to become pregnant. In some cases, surgery may cause damage or scarring to the fallopian tubes, which will increase the likelihood of ectopic pregnancy.

Full Answer

What causes an ectopic pregnancy after IVF?

The exact mechanism responsible for an ectopic pregnancy following an IVF procedure is unknown. Some believe that embryo migration up into the fallopian tubes occurs because of local cellular activity or fluid mechanics present inside the uterus.

How is an ectopic pregnancy treated?

In other cases, an ectopic pregnancy can be treated with laparoscopic surgery. In this procedure, a small incision is made in the abdomen, near or in the navel.

What is an ectopic pregnancy and how dangerous is it?

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a woman’s egg is fertilised by her partner’s sperm and the resulting embryo implants somewhere outside the woman’s womb. When an embryo grows outside the womb, a potentially life-threatening situation is created for both mother and foetus.

What percentage of IVF treatments result in ectopic pregnancy?

Between 2 and 5 % of IVF treatments result in ectopic pregnancy. If you are undergoing either IVF or IUI treatment and you do get pregnant, keep an eye out for symptoms of ectopic pregnancy.

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Can fertility pills cause ectopic pregnancy?

Fertility treatments, are associated with a risk of ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy which occurs outside the womb, usually in the fallopian tube). Ectopic pregnancy can occur both with natural conception and with infertility treatment.

Are infertility treatments a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy?

Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that tubal factor infertility and previous surgery for endometriosis were risk factors for IVF ectopic pregnancy. Conclusion: Tubal factor infertility and previous surgery for endometriosis appear to be risk factors for ectopic pregnancy after IVF treatment.

What causes ectopic pregnancy with IVF?

Conclusions: Ectopic pregnancy after IVF appears to be related to preexisting tubal pathology; embryo transfer of cryopreserved thawed embryos in a natural cycle may result in a higher ectopic rate in these patients; in subsequent IVF cycles the intrauterine pregnancy rate of these patients is not decreased.

Can IVF transfer cause ectopic pregnancy?

It is one of the well-known complications following in vitro fertilization (IVF) with embryo transfer (ET). The incidence of ectopic pregnancy is estimated to be 2.1–8.6% of clinical pregnancy after IVF-ET, which is higher than natural conceptions (incidence rate 2%).

What are 3 causes of an ectopic pregnancy?

What causes an ectopic pregnancy?inflammation and scarring of the fallopian tubes from a previous medical condition, infection, or surgery.hormonal factors.genetic abnormalities.birth defects.medical conditions that affect the shape and condition of the fallopian tubes and reproductive organs.

What is the main cause of ectopic pregnancy?

A tubal pregnancy — the most common type of ectopic pregnancy — happens when a fertilized egg gets stuck on its way to the uterus, often because the fallopian tube is damaged by inflammation or is misshapen. Hormonal imbalances or abnormal development of the fertilized egg also might play a role.

Is it my fault I had an ectopic pregnancy?

It is not your fault. Certain factors are associated with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, including a history of smoking, in vitro fertilization, assisted reproductive technology, and prior pelvic or abdominal surgery.

Can sperm cause ectopic?

Based on findings in both animal and human models, we proposed the hypothesis that sperm defects may be associated with the expression of paternal genes which cause abnormal early embryo development and predispose the embryos to interact inappropriately with the genital tract epithelium, and so increase the risk of an ...

What increases risk of ectopic pregnancy?

Various risk factors for ectopic pregnancy have been identified (2-5) including previous ectopic pregnancy, previous pelvic surgery, induction of ovulation, intrauterine device usage, history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and smoking at the time of conception (2, 6-9).

How many IVF pregnancies are ectopic?

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy is 1% of all pregnancies and for in vitro fertilization (IVF) cases it is estimated to be 1-3%. Ectopic pregnancy is one of the most dangerous complications of pregnancy and the number one cause of death in the first trimester.

How common are chemical pregnancies with IVF?

Up to 1 in 4 IVF pregnancies is a chemical pregnancy. This high number may result from doctors doing pregnancy tests very early -- within 2 weeks after an IVF procedure.

What will be the hCG level in ectopic pregnancy?

Absence of an intrauterine gestational sac on abdominal ultrasound in conjunction with a β-hCG level of greater than 6,500 mIU per mL suggests the presence of an ectopic pregnancy.

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