Genital Tuberculosis (GTB) and Infertility

Related to Infertility | Posted on April 18th, 2017

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Tuberculosis is a rampant disease in developing countries like India-and one that cuts across all classes. Tuberculosis of the genital tract occurs quite commonly following tuberculosis infection anywhere else in the body. It mainly spreads through the blood stream to the genital organs. When the infection invades the reproductive system (the genital tract), it commonly targets the fallopian tubes and the uterus and may lower your chances of conception. Women between the age of 20 and 40 years are most susceptible. Female genital tuberculosis is fast emerging as a major health issue that affects fertility levels in women. Doctors say tuberculosis is a major cause of infection leading to infertility among 25-30% of women in India. There is an increasing trend of genital tuberculosis among women. The infection can attack the ovaries, uterus and tubes leading to infertility problems among women. The disease is also becoming more evident among men causing infertility. Even among men, who are responsible in 50% of infertility cases, tuberculosis is a major reason for infection. Is it possible that TB increases the infertility issues in couples? TB (Tuberculosis) is the infectious disease and infertility is the inability to conceive. Yes TB can cause infertility, but usually it does not show any kind of symptoms until the infection has advanced to a severe level and can affect the infertility in women as well as in men. In the woman it causes tuberculosis in uterus and fallopian tubes where as in the man it cause tuberculosis of epididymo orchitis, as a result of which no sperm can get into the semen. TB only cause infertility when it infects the genital tract, which is very hard to diagnose and called as genital TB. Genital TB is responsible for infertility in 5-10% of women. The only way to diagnose this TB is by culturing the tubercle bacillus from the tissue and sent it to the lab for testing. What is genital tuberculosis? Tuberculosis or TB is a bacterium which can affect any part of your body, but most often affects the lungs. The primary infection in the lungs is known as pulmonary tuberculosis. In some cases the TB infection moves through the blood to other parts of the body. It can thus cause secondary infections in the genital tract, pelvic area, kidneys, spine and brain. When the bacterium reaches the genital tract it causes genital tuberculosis or pelvic TB. It affects the genital tract (in both men and women), fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries. In some cases it also affects the cervix, vagina and vulva. How does genital TB spread? What are the symptoms of genital TB? Treatment Option for genital TB How can genital TB affect my fertility? How to screen for tubal scarring? Several methods can help detect the tubal involvement. Sonography helps in diagnosing pus in the tubes, while hysterosalpingography helps to diagnose blocked tubes. Laparoscopy is a direct visualisation of the tubes giving us an opportunity to take a biopsy from the suspected lesions. TB-PCR from the endometrium or the inner lining of the uterus (a tissue sample is taken and cultured to detect the genetic make-up of the bacteria) is a newer test for diagnosis of tuberculosis. Routine blood tests such as CBC, ESR assist in the diagnosis. Permanent damage may be avoided if anti-tubercular drugs are started in the early phase of the disease. If a family member or colleague is an active TB patient, then people around them need to be cautious and should go for tests like chest X-Ray, tuberculin test to know whether they have been hit by TB or not. Two out of 10 women suffering from TB cannot bear children. Doctors say that nearly 90% of women with genital tuberculosis (GTB) are diagnosed in the 15-40 years age range. Infertility on account of GTB is 40-80%. Experts say that with advanced medical treatment now available, if the diagnosis is early enough, GTB can be treated and the woman can regain fertility. Various patients neglect the diagnostic test for TB when they are unable to conceive, but it might be the major cause for your infertility problem. So it would be good to test and ensure the root cause of infertility. Rupal Hospital for Women is a premier leader in women's healthcare since 45 long years and is committed in providing women with the highest quality and most advanced healthcare throughout all stages of their lives. The team of doctors at Rupal Hospital believes in the power of information and in spreading education to patients. When the patient is detected with infertility and all test are done, we at Rupal hospital advise our patients to go for all test including blood test, Hysterosalpingography, Ultrasonography, Cervical cytology, Endoscopy, Laparoscopy, Hysteroscopy and Cystoscopy. If the patient is detected with genital tuberculosis, we advise them to complete the entire course of the treatment. It is a course of antibiotics that lasts about six to eight months. We at Rupal hospital make them aware that once the course for GTB is over there are chances of achieving normal pregnancy. You can contact our team of doctors for any information on GTB, how to diagnose GTB, treatment options available for Genital tuberculosis and to know the chances of conceiving after diagnosed with GTB

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Rupal Hospital for Women - Fertility Clinic

Location: India / Surat | Member since: January 1st, 2015 [EDT]

Rupal Hospital for Womens - a premiere leader in women's healthcare since 45 long years.We are committed in providing women with the highest quality and most advanced healthcare throughout all stages ... See Profile

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