The Impact of TB on Fertility: How Does it Affect Your Chances of Conceiving?

Did you know that tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of death in India? It's a serious health issue that affects millions of people in the country. While TB is widely known for its respiratory impact, did you know that TB can also impact your fertility?

If you're planning to start a family, it's important to understand how TB can affect your chances of conceiving. In this blog post, we'll dive into the lesser-known impact of TB on fertility. From understanding the risks for both men and women to exploring the ways to manage and improve your chances of conceiving, we've got you covered.

So, if you're curious about how TB can impact your fertility or you know someone who's struggling to conceive and has a history of TB, keep reading to find out more. You'll learn some fascinating insights that you won't want to miss!

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis or TB is caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. This bacteria can be transmitted from person to person through the air when someone with active TB disease coughs or sneezes. It's important to note that not everyone who is exposed to the bacteria will become sick with TB. Factors such as age, immune system function, and exposure duration can all affect a person's likelihood of developing TB.

At Juhi Fertility the best IVF hospital in Hyderabad, we're dedicated to providing education and resources to help our community stay healthy and prevent the spread of diseases like TB. That's why we encourage everyone to practice good hygiene, such as washing their hands frequently and covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing. Additionally, we offer TB testing and treatment to anyone who may have been exposed to the bacteria or is experiencing symptoms.

We understand that dealing with a disease like TB can be scary, but we're here to support you every step of the way. Our team of healthcare professionals is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to all of our patients. If you have any concerns or questions about TB or your health in general, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we can work towards a healthier, happier community.

How does Tuberculosis Affect Fertility?

We at the best IVF hospital in Hyderabad understand that starting or expanding your family is an exciting time, but we also know that there can be challenges along the way. One such challenge can be tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can also impact fertility in both men and women.

In women, TB can cause scarring and damage to the reproductive organs, such as the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries. The scarring can lead to the blockage of the fallopian tubes or the formation of adhesions, which can prevent the egg and sperm from meeting and result in infertility.

TB can also cause hormonal imbalances in women, leading to irregular menstrual cycles or even the absence of menstruation. In addition, TB during pregnancy can lead to complications, such as premature birth and low birth weight.

In men, TB can impact fertility by affecting the prostate gland and epididymis, both of which play a critical role in sperm production and transport. TB can cause blockage of the epididymis or damage to the prostate gland, which can result in reduced sperm count and motility.

How TB can affect fertility in men?

• Epididymitis: TB can cause inflammation of the epididymis, a small tube that stores and transports sperm. Epididymitis can cause scarring and blockages in the epididymis, which can prevent sperm from being ejaculated and can lead to infertility.
• Orchitis: TB can also cause inflammation of the testicles, a condition known as orchitis. Orchitis can damage the testicles and reduce sperm production, which can lead to infertility.
• Obstructive azoospermia: TB can cause scarring and blockages in the vas deferens, which carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. This can lead to obstructive azoospermia, a condition in which no sperm is present in the ejaculate, resulting in infertility.
• Seminal vesiculitis: TB can also cause inflammation of the seminal vesicles, which are glands that produce semen. Seminal vesiculitis can impair the quality and quantity of semen, which can lead to infertility.
• Erectile dysfunction: TB can cause damage to the nerves and blood vessels that are involved in achieving and maintaining an erection, leading to erectile dysfunction, which can interfere with fertility.

How TB can affect fertility in women?

• Pelvic inflammatory disease: TB can cause inflammation of the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries, which can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause scarring and blockages in the fallopian tubes, which can prevent the egg from being fertilized by the sperm and can lead to infertility.
• Tubal infertility: TB can cause damage to the fallopian tubes, which can result in tubal infertility. The damage can make it difficult for the egg to travel from the ovary to the uterus, or for the sperm to reach the egg.
• Menstrual irregularities: TB can cause menstrual irregularities, such as amenorrhea (absence of periods) or oligomenorrhea (infrequent periods), which can make it difficult to conceive.
• Endometrial scarring: TB can cause scarring in the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. Endometrial scarring can interfere with the implantation of the fertilized egg and can lead to infertility.
• Ectopic pregnancy: TB can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening and can cause infertility.

How TB can affect the chances of pregnancy when both partners are infected?

When both partners are infected with tuberculosis (TB), their fertility can be affected in several ways. TB can cause inflammation and scarring in the reproductive organs of both men and women, leading to infertility. In men, TB can cause epididymitis, orchitis, obstructive azoospermia, seminal vesiculitis, and erectile dysfunction, all of which can impair fertility. In women, TB can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal infertility, menstrual irregularities, endometrial scarring, and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, all of which can lead to infertility. Additionally, the treatment for TB can further affect fertility, as some medications may have side effects that can interfere with reproductive function. It is essential for both partners to receive proper treatment for TB to reduce the risk of fertility problems and to talk to their healthcare provider about any concerns regarding their fertility.

How to prevent TB from affecting fertility?

While you and your partner decide to plan your family and start trying to conceive, TB can be one of the causes to create complications and sometimes leads to failure to conceive. There’s no other option than consulting a fertility expert at the earliest. At Juhi Fertility Clinic, we conduct tests to know the real causes and if any of your partners or both are diagnosed with tuberculosis, then we start the best treatment process to prevent TB from affecting your chances to get pregnant.

For women, the initial symptoms of TB include irregular menstruation, pelvic pain, continuous discharge, and sometimes stains of blood or without blood with a foul smell can also occur after intercourse. In men, some symptoms like low sperm count, abnormal sperm morphology, pain or swelling in the scrotum, a lump or swelling in the groin, fatigue or weakness, night sweats or chills, and coughing can indicate the spread of TB. Certain tests are done to diagnose TB so that the experts find the exact affected area and prevent the spread. If not diagnosed at the right time, this can further damage the functioning of the reproductive system.

• Mantoux tuberculin skin test
• Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs)
• Chest X-ray
• Sputum culture
• Pelvic ultrasound
• Semen analysis

At the earlier stage if you are just being infected with TB but the disease is not spread, then you may undergo preventive therapy. This therapy will kill the germs that are not affecting the tissues but can be dangerous in the future if left uncured.

How to treat TB to reduce its effects on fertility

Untreated tuberculosis can leave greater hazards on your chances of getting pregnant and can also affect the fetus. After you or your partner is diagnosed with TB, our fertility specialists will make the right plan for the TB treatment promptly so that we can reduce the impact on fertility. The following are some treatment options that our fertility experts at Juhi Fertility Clinic will recommend:

• Antibiotic therapy: Treatment for TB usually involves a course of antibiotics for several months. The exact treatment regimen will depend on the type and severity of TB. It is important to complete the full course of treatment to ensure that the infection is fully eradicated.
• Surgical intervention: In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove damaged tissue or to repair damage to the reproductive organs.
• Assisted reproductive techniques:If TB has caused irreversible damage to the reproductive organs, assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be recommended to help couples conceive.

It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to follow any additional instructions recommended by the experts. This may include avoiding close contact with others until you are no longer infectious, eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of rest, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Final Words:

Tuberculosis disrupts multiple dysfunctions in men and women including the infection, spread, and affecting the reproductive systems. If one of your partners feels any of the odd symptoms that are creating any hurdle in conceiving then without wasting a moment, open up with experts. With Juhi Fertility Clinic, get connected with a specialist that truly listens to all your concerns and provides you with the right treatment even for tuberculosis.

If you are diagnosed with TB and looking for the right advice on what should be the next step to start your family with 100% safety then just give us a call at +91 9573744646. Read our next blog topic on how to take care of pregnancy if you are diagnosed with TB.