R. Figueroadamian et al., TUBERCULOSIS OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE-TRACT - EFFECT ON FUNCTION, International journal of fertility and menopausal studies, 41(4), 1996, pp. 430-436
Objective-To discuss the clinical presentation and consequences of gen
ital tuberculosis (GTB), a known cause of infertility. Although it app
ears to be a rare entity, usually secondary to a primary site of infec
tion by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, its true incidence is not known ow
ing, in part, to inadequate diagnostic procedures, particularly in les
s developed areas of the world. Patients and Methods-We present our ex
perience with 25 cases of genital TB. Of these woman, 21 were seen for
infertility; 3 were postmenopausal with uterine hemorrhage, and 1 was
admitted with an acute abdomen. All women were treated medically and/
or surgically. Results-Only five women were found to be suitable for a
rtificial insemination. Two of the women became pregnant but aborted.
Conclusions-The incidence of genital TB may be higher than one might i
magine, based on the lack of reports in the literature, and may accoun
t for a significant amount of female infertility.