Genital Tuberculosis: A Reason for Infertility Among Women It is very likely that each of us has had a family member or acquaintance affected by tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a major health problem worldwide affecting approximately 9.4 million people each year. Over 95% of tuberculosis cases and deaths occur in developing countries, where India and China together account for 40% of the global tuberculosis burden. Tuberculosis infection is caused by a bacterium and does not always remain limited to the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body such as bones, joints, urinary tract and genital tract, etc. If it reaches the genital areas of a woman, it could lead to sterility. Genital tuberculosis primarily affects women of reproductive age, but is also reported in post-menopausal women. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay When tuberculosis infection affects the fallopian tubes, it can prevent the fertilized egg from entering the uterus from the tubes. If the bacteria affects the lining of the endometrium (uterus), it will become difficult for the fertilized egg to implant. Infection in the ovaries would affect the quality/release of the egg. Infection in the cervix, vagina, or vulva could also make your chances of pregnancy slim. Female genital tuberculosis usually does not show any symptoms and is therefore diagnosed when the woman has infertility and all other causes have been ruled out. If a woman has suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis in the past, she may have irregular menstrual cycles, pain or heaviness and/or cysts in the pelvic area, etc. There are some tests available that help diagnose this disease. A nutritional diet along with tuberculosis treatment can help speed recovery and strengthen the immune system. Leafy greens like kale and spinach, whole grains, brightly colored vegetables like carrots, peppers, and fruits like tomatoes, blueberries, and cherries help further fight tuberculosis. Usually, treatment involves the daily administration of some drugs (mainly rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol) for at least 6 months. Post-Tuberculosis Treatment (ATT), the Test-Tube Baby technique helps to conceive if the patient's uterus is still healthy. However, if the uterus has been affected by tuberculosis, adoption and surrogacy are the only options left. ATT has an excellent recovery/cure rate, so patients should not lose hope after the disease is diagnosed. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay