Do you know tuberculosis can affect reproductive health? Tuberculosis is a prevalent health concern in India. While it is often associated with its impact on the respiratory system, tuberculosis can impact the genital organs, leading to fertility issues in both males and females.
But how does tuberculosis affect fertility in females? Does tuberculosis treatment help out with fertility? Let’s get answered.
What is Tuberculosis?
Understanding the basics can help to find the connection between tuberculosis and fertility for treatment.
Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium that primarily affects the lungs. However, this bacteria can also affect other organs, including the genital organs as shown in the figure with percentage chances of getting affected by tuberculosis, potentially causing problems in both men and women.
Now, you might be wondering how this bacteria affects genital organs and become one of the significant female fertility causes. When tuberculosis affects someone, the bacteria can silently enter the blood and travel from the lungs to reproductive organs like fallopian tubes and uterus. It will cause tubal blockage, adhesions, inflammation or scarring, creating obstacles for the egg’s journey through the fallopian tubes and hindering embryo implantation in the uterus.
Impact of Tuberculosis on Female Fertility
Let’s see how tuberculosis can impact female fertility.
Tubal Blockage: Tuberculosis can cause tubal changes, leading to blockage or adhesion formation. This blockage prevents the egg from reaching the sperm or the fertilized egg from reaching the uterus.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Genital tuberculosis can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, a condition that can cause scarring and damage to the reproductive organs. PID again causes tubal blockages, further contributing to infertility.
Uterine Lining Abnormalities: Tuberculosis may harm the uterine lining, causing irregular menstrual bleeding. It could appear as abnormally heavy or infrequent periods, reducing the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Challenges in Fertility Treatment: Tuberculosis can interfere with fertility treatments and complicate the treatment procedure. Tuberculosis reduces or hinders the effectiveness of fertility treatment.
That’s why a proper diagnosis is essential to get an effective tuberculosis treatment to prevent further female fertility complications.
Impact of Tuberculosis on Male Fertility
Tuberculosis equally impacts male fertility. But how does it affect male fertility?
In males, tuberculosis manifests as a chronic infection and affects semen parameters. It compromises the quality and quantity of sperm, influencing male fertility.
Also, tuberculosis has the potential to induce a condition known as epididymitis. Epididymitis is inflammation of the epididymis, the tube responsible for transporting sperm. This inflammation can result in blockage or scarring, creating obstacles for sperm travelling from the testes to the urethra. When it occurs, the process of conceiving a child becomes challenging. In that case, you need to consult a fertility or IVF specialist in Delhi for assisted reproductive technologies treatment.
How Is It Treated?
While the damage caused by tuberculosis may not always be reversible, early diagnosis and effective fertility and tuberculosis treatment with anti-tuberculosis medication can significantly improve fertility outcomes. Additionally, assisted reproductive technologies like IVF can offer hope for couples struggling with infertility due to tuberculosis.
If you are looking for fertility treatment, schedule your consultation with Dr Rhythm Gupta, a fertility specialist in Delhi, to fulfil your dream of becoming a parent.