The most common form of TB is pulmonary TB [TB of lung], yet other forms of TB [outside of lung that is Extrapulmonary TB] can also occur. Due to bacterial spread throughout the body, it typically occurs secondary to pulmonary TB. When suffering from genital TB, the genital tract becomes infected with tuberculosis when it travels from the lungs to various parts of the body such as the genital organs via blood or lymph.
It is regarded as one of the most common causes of infertility in both females and males. About 6 million new cases of TB are registered every year worldwide.
Among these, many are subjected to gynaecological issues. Let us now find out more about genital TB.
What is Genital TB?
Genital TB is a modified form of tuberculosis that may occur in both males and females. But women experience it more often than men.
Belonging to the category of Extrapulmonary TB forms, genital TB affects the female genital organs. Besides, it can also occur in the various lymph nodes surrounding the pelvis. Generally, women of any age are exposed to this disease.
However, females who are going through reproductive age (i.e., from 15 to 45 years old) are more susceptible to genital infection. Mainly, the bacteria takes four routes to get into the genital tract.
These are the haematogenous route, lymphatic spread, descending direct spread, and through performing sexual intercourse with a partner having active genitourinary TB. A wide range of genital organs is affected when under the influence of TB symptoms.
These include the uterine endometrium (50-60%), fallopian tubes (95-100%), uterine myometrium (2.5%), ovaries (20-30%), cervix (5-15%), and the vagina (1%). Most genital TB cases are asymptomatic and come with fewer symptoms. Among all these, infertility is the most common.
What Are The Causes Of Genital TB?
The causes of TB are many. According to a study, mycobacterium tuberculosis is the primary cause of genital TB.
It is majorly responsible for the majority of genital TB infections. These bacteria are contagious in nature (highly spreadable) and can be transferred from one person to another.
Even the inhalation of the droplets produced by sneezing, coughing, and talking can lead to various TB symptoms.
The disease serves the purpose of attacking the genital tract of the human body through four different routes. Thus, genital TB occurs secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis in other body sites (primarily TB lungs).
Although the spread of the disease is generally through the haematogenous route and lymphatic nodes, the infection of the genitalia may also occur during sexual transmission.
What Are The Symptoms Of Genital TB?
Pulmonary TB symptoms are different from those of extrapulmonary TB. Generally, genital TB is prevalent in women between their reproductive ages who are preparing to conceive.
Due to the asymptomatic character of TB disease, experienced gynaecologists claim that there are fewer symptoms. Some of the following are the various signs and symptoms of tuberculosis:
- Loss of weight, increased fatigue and low fever (same as that of symptoms of TB in lungs)
- Infertility, which reduces the likelihood of ovulation and conception, is one of the main genital TB symptoms in women.
- Various kinds of menstrual disturbances like Menorrhagia (abnormally heavy bleeding), Amenorrhea (no menstrual bleeding), Metrorrhagia (abnormal/dysfunctional bleeding), and Oligomenorrhea (fewer occurrences of menstrual periods).
- Other symptoms include swelling, painful sexual intercourse, bleeding after intercourse and vaginal discharge.
- Genital TB in men is a rare occurrence. The signs and symptoms of TB in men are swelling, pain and irritation in the testicles.
These are the symptoms of TB disease.
Genital TB and Infertility
As TB is caused in the lungs, in some cases, it travels from the primary area to the genital organs.
Genital TB commonly impacts the fallopian tubes and other reproductive parts such as the cervix, uterus, ovaries, and vagina.
The affected/scarred fallopian tubes fail to allow the entry of fertilised eggs into the uterus. Hence, the chances of pregnancy are reduced.
Also, the endometrium lining is affected by the bacteria in such a way that the fertilised eggs do not implant on the uterine wall, resulting in infertility.
Besides, the bacteria may also infect the ovaries. In such cases, either eggs are not released at all or the ovum quality is degraded, and it may not fertilise, hence preventing pregnancy.
Treatment of Genital TB
Extended research has been done on genital TB symptoms and treatment, and it has been found it is curable.
Genital TB treatment requires a clinical examination, history taking, test processes, and efficient diagnostic methodologies. The best diagnostic treatment can be obtained in the best gynaecology clinics.
They are composed of top gynaecologists who conduct a range of TB tests for common illnesses. These tests include laparoscopic examinations for in-depth illness analysis, menstrual blood analysis & endometrial curettage [detection of acid-fast bacilli on microscopy], ultrasound scans, X-rays, and cervical exams.
Analyses may be followed by some necessary treatments, such as a multidrug regime. Moreover, the affected areas may ask for some surgical treatment in several complex genital TB cases.
In the case of infertility, in-vitro fertilisation is also undertaken. To live a healthy life requires identification of the disease in its initial stages and diagnosis of it at the earliest.
Conclusion
We hope that after reading this, you have a thorough understanding of genital TB, its main causes, and treatment options. Genital TB is one of the main factors in infertility in women.
The infection’s asymptomatic nature leads to an underestimation of the disease. It takes a correct assessment and the appropriate course of treatment to eliminate this disease from a person’s body.
