TUBERCULOSIS OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE-TRACT - EFFECT ON FUNCTION

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.