Recognizing the Symptoms of Endometrial Tuberculosis

Recognizing the Symptoms of Endometrial Tuberculosis
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Overview

Endometrial tuberculosis occurs as a secondary complication in women who have been diagnosed with tuberculosis of the lungs. The symptoms of endometrial tuberculosis are similar to those of ovarian carcinoma. In order to diagnose endometrial tuberculosis properly, a TB test of the endometrial lining must be performed. Although this disease is extremely rare, it does occur and usually causes infertility in women. Endometrial tuberculosis has been linked to infertility in some women.

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain is one of the most prevalent symptoms of endometrial tuberculosis. When pelvic pain presents itself as a symptom of endometrial tuberculosis, it is severe, possibly even doubling one over with pain. It can be a sudden stabbing, sharp pain or a constant dull, aching pain.

Irregular Menstruation

Irregular menstruation refers to any changes out of the ordinary for a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle. When endometrial tuberculosis is present, according to the American Family Physician, menstruation becomes irregular due to the infection. This also means that post-menopausal women can have vaginal bleeding.

Scanty Menstruation

Scanty menstruation is the decrease in the menstrual period. Either the duration of the cycle is less than normal or the flow of blood is less than normal. This symptom is very evident and out of the ordinary when it occurs with endometrial tuberculosis.

Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is the medical term for absence of a menstrual period. When this isn’t associated with pregnancy or menopause, it can be a symptom of some serious underlying medical condition, such as endometrial tuberculosis.

Sweating

Tuberculosis in general causes increased sweating. In endometrial tuberculosis, the sweating occurs most often at night. It isn’t uncommon for a woman suffering from endometrial tuberculosis to wake up literally soaked with sweat from the night sweats she’s experiencing. The way to distinguish these night sweats from menopausal night sweats is to be wary of any pelvic pain that is present with this symptom.

Pregnancy Problems and Infertility

In many developing countries, a common reason for infertility and premature births is endometrial tuberculosis. Gender and Health states that 40% of the women in these countries who have problems conceiving or carrying a child full term have suffered damage to their fallopian tubes and endometrial lining from tuberculosis. These women also experience higher instances of eclampsia and miscarriage.

Abdominal Mass

An abdominal mass refers to an instance of swelling in the abdominal area. The abdominal mass will be located in the pelvis in the case of endometrial tuberculosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the abdominal mass present with endometrial tuberculosis may not be apparent in the beginning.

References:

American Family Physician: Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis - https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/1101/p1761.html

Gender and Health: Gender and Tuberculosis - https://whqlibdoc.who.int/gender/2002/a85584.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Diagnostic Standards and Classification of Tuberculosis - https://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/p0000425/p0000425.asp