EXTRA-UTERINE PREGNANCY, ILLUS. EXTRA-UTERINE PREGNANCY, ILLUS Pregnancy is said to be ectopic when the egg is not implanted within the uterine cavity. An anomaly of the uterine tubes, which may result from sexually transmitted disease or salpingitis which damage the inner lining of the tubes, is generally the cause. The egg cannot migrate normally to the uterus. Other risk factors include smoking, advanced age, intrauterine device, etc. Women with ectopic pregnancy experience abdominal pain