What factors are associated with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy?

An increased risk of ectopic pregnancy is significantly associated with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to scarring and damage in the fallopian tubes, which can impede the normal passage of a fertilized egg. If the fallopian tube is affected by infection or inflammation, it can create an environment where the embryo is more likely to implant outside of the uterine cavity, commonly within the fallopian tube itself.

Other factors such as regular menstruation and the use of barrier contraceptives do not have a direct correlation with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. Regular menstruation suggests a functioning reproductive system, while barrier methods of contraception are designed to prevent sperm from reaching the egg, thus lowering the overall risk of pregnancy, including ectopic pregnancies. Being under age 20 does not inherently increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy; in fact, certain risks may be higher in older populations who may have more annotations of pelvic infections or other risk factors over time.