Health Tip: Risk Factors for Ectopic Pregnancy

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(HealthDay News) -- Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the egg begins to develop outside the womb. In this type of pregnancy, the fetus cannot grow normally and does not survive.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says risk factors for ectopic pregnancy include:

• Scarring or an infection in the fallopian tubes.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Endometriosis.
• Scarring from a pelvic surgery.
• Complications from a ruptured appendix.
• A birth defect affecting the fallopian tubes.
• Being older than age 35.
• Having had many sexual partners.
• In rare cases, having become pregant while using an intrauterine device (IUD)

-- Diana Kohnle

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