Pelvic tuberculosis leaves infertility patients in tears!

  Genital tuberculosis, also known as pelvic tuberculosis, is an inflammatory disease of the female genitalia caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is a local manifestation of systemic tuberculosis, mostly seen in women in their reproductive years (20-40 years old), and the incidence of this disease in infertile women accounts for about 10%. Especially during the reproductive period, when the genital blood supply is abundant, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is easily transmitted to the reproductive organs via bloodstream.  Tuberculosis in the pelvis is most common in the fallopian tubes, which account for about 85% to 95% of female genital tuberculosis, mostly bilateral. Tuberculosis bacilli can thicken and harden the fallopian tubes, and can destroy the cilia on their mucosal surface, causing adhesions in the walls and occlusion of the lumen. Tubercle bacilli can also invade the endometrium and cause endometrial tuberculosis, which often spreads from tubal tuberculosis, and about 50% of tubal tuberculosis patients have endometrial tuberculosis at the same time. The endometrium of the uterus can be damaged to varying degrees by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and even involve the myometrium, resulting in the formation of scar tissue, causing narrowing and deformation of the uterine cavity, or even adhesion of the uterine cavity, which can lead to infertility, implantation failure or miscarriage by preventing fertilization of the egg.  Therefore, for patients with infertility, especially those with combined hydrosalpinx, unexplained decreased menstrual flow, and repeated implantation failure, we recommend “mine-clearing” work related to tuberculosis, as well as early detection and treatment. The “mine-clearing” process includes systematic examinations such as chest X-ray, blood nodule test, and tuberculin test. For those with positive initial screening, further laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and tissue biopsy will be performed to determine the status of TB infection.  The main “mine-digging weapon” is the use of anti-tuberculosis drugs. In order to achieve the desired efficacy, the five principles of rationalized treatment must be implemented, namely early, combined, appropriate, adequate and regular use of sensitive drugs. Early tuberculosis lesions are at the stage of bacterial multiplication, the earlier the lesions are fresh, the better the blood supply, the easier the drugs penetrate, and the more aggressive treatment can prevent the formation of intractable chronic caseinized lesions due to delays. Generally regular systemic treatment is reviewed after 3-6 months. In cases of stubbornness, ineffective drug treatment, or combined with the need for surgical investigation, laparoscopic exploration and biopsy are performed when necessary. In cases of uterine adhesions, hysteroscopic release of adhesions is required to restore the normal shape of the uterine cavity and create conditions for embryo implantation.