Have intrauterine devices been linked to ectopic pregnancy?

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) have been associated with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, particularly when they fail. When an IUD is in place, the likelihood of a pregnancy occurring within the uterus is significantly reduced; however, if a pregnancy were to happen during IUD use, there is a possibility that it could be ectopic. This can occur when a fertilized egg implants in a location outside the uterus, typically in a Fallopian tube.

Moreover, pelvic infections can exacerbate the risk of ectopic pregnancies since infections can cause inflammation and scarring that affect the fallopian tubes, making it more difficult for a fertilized egg to travel down into the uterus. This correlation highlights that the presence of an IUD combined with pelvic infections creates a higher risk scenario for ectopic pregnancies.

The other options suggest either a complete absence of risk or restrict the connection to specific types of IUDs or demographic factors, which do not encompass the broader relationship established in medical literature.