Chapter 12, Page 2

Tubal disease

Tubal abnormalities account for between 25% and 50% of female infertility. Tubal damage usually occurs through pelvic infection, and this is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Often, we cannot find out the cause for the inflammation. However, some of the causes of pelvic infection that can be pinpointed are:

  • Sexually transmitted diseases (e.g. Gonorrhea, Chlamydia);
  • Infection after childbirth, miscarriage, termination of pregnancy (MTP) or IUD (intrauterine device) insertion
  • Post-operative pelvic infection (e.g. perforated appendix, ovarian cysts);
  • Severe endometriosis
  • Tuberculosis

Besides causing blocked tubes, any pelvic inflammatory disease can also produce bands of scar tissue called adhesions, which can alter the functioning of the fallopian tubes. PID can be a silent disease, and most women with tubal damage because of PID are completely unaware that they have this disease.

Pelvic tuberculosis is a fairly common cause of tubal damage in India. The tuberculosis bacteria reach the tubes from the lungs through the bloodstream and can cause irreparable tubal damage.

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