Tuberculosis is a rampant disease in developing countries like India. Tuberculosis of the genital tract occurs quite commonly following tuberculosis infection anywhere else in the body and mainly spreads through the blood stream to the genital organs. When the infection invades the reproductive system i.e. the genital tract, it commonly targets the fallopian tubes and the uterus. Women between the age group of 20 – 40 years of age are the most susceptible to it.
Genital Tuberculosis can be a silent disease and a high degree of suspicion is needed for proper diagnosis and treatment. The most common presenting symptom is infertility i.e. inability to conceive. Symptoms may include weight loss, weakness, chronic dull aching pain in the abdomen and menstrual abnormalities. In 80-90% of the cases the fallopian tubes are involved. Small nodules of tubercular material are found on the surface of the tubes initially and later the infection invades the tubes and also affects the internal surface of the tubes. Pus collection occurs within the tubes blocking them either completely or partially. Once infection occurs within the tubes, the internal lining of the tubes gets scarred, blocked and becomes non-functional leading to infertility. If the block is partial, it can cause an ectopic pregnancy which can lead to severe internal bleeding if not diagnosed at an early stage.
Various methods are available to test for tubal involvement such as Sonography, Hysterosalpingography and Hysterolaproscopy. Sonography helps in diagnosing pus in the tubes, hysterosalpingography helps to diagnose blocked tubes and laparoscopy is a direct visualization of the tubes giving us an opportunity to take a biopsy from the suspected lesions. TB-PCR from the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) is also one of the important tests for diagnosis of tuberculosis. Of course, routine blood tests such as CBC, ESR assist in the diagnosis.
If anti-tubercular drugs are started in the early phase of the disease, then the permanent damage may be avoided. But if detected late, when the damage is done, then the best treatment is to resort to assisted reproduction.
If you have not yet tried for pregnancy, and if you have none of the above symptoms, please visit a gynecologist and confirm whether you can go ahead and plan a pregnancy. If you have trouble getting pregnant within 6 months then you will need to get yourself investigated. But if you have any of the above symptoms, then it is a good idea to rule out genital tuberculosis at the earliest.
With over 3 decades of experience, we at Gynaecworld completely understand a woman’s world and are here to look after the medical hurdles that come your way. You are the center of all our efforts!!!
Book your appointment today at Gynaecworld, Kemps corner, Mumbai
Call: 02223802584
Email: gynaecworldfertility@gmail.com , gynaecworldservices@gmail.com
Visit our website: www.gynaecworld.com