Cases of ectopic pregnancy are rising in England, but what causes it?

What you need to know about an ectopic pregnancy

According to research from the University of Liverpool, there has been a notable increase in hospital admissions in England for ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb.

There has been an increase in ectopic pregnancies since 2021, with more than twice as many admissions in deprived areas compared to those in the least deprived areas.

The research was published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. The team analysed information from 2004 to 2024, and found that there was an average increase of more than 4% each year from 2021.

Dr. Nicola Tempest, academic clinical lecturer from the university's Department of Women's and Children's Health, stated, "Pregnancy loss affects millions of women worldwide, yet we know surprisingly little about how its prevalence and impact have changed over time.

"Pregnancy loss should be recognized as a major women's health research priority so we can better understand its causes and develop services that meet women's needs and address the risk factors that are contributing to these rates.

"Importantly, research must address one of the most common and deeply personal questions women ask after pregnancy loss: 'Why did this happen to me?'

What are the symptoms?

Knowing the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy is vital because it can affect so many women.

There is a hesitancy to discuss conditions like this in society, but it's so important to raise awareness about them. Being aware of the symptoms, as well as understanding how it can happen, is vital.

According to the HSE, an ectopic pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy happens outside of your womb.

There is no known cause for this condition. According to the HSE, some factors can increase your risk:

• You had a previous ectopic pregnancy
• You had previous surgery on your fallopian tubes
• Damage to your fallopian tubes caused by infections
• Smoking
• Fertility treatments like IVF and ICSI
• Becoming pregnant when you're using contraceptives like the coil
• If you're over the age of 40 when you get pregnant