Effect of Genital Tuberculosis on Ovarian Reserve

Abstract

Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is a known cause of infertility due to tubal damage and, less often, endometrial damage. However, its impact on ovarian damage is poorly understood and has only come to focus in recent years. Availability of robust ovarian reserve markers, such as anti-Mullerian hormone and antral follicle count, have contributed to an improved understanding of ovarian reserve in FGTB. Pre-treatment assessment of ovarian reserve and ovarian response during in vitro fertilization has shown that FGTB adversely affects the ovarian reserve. Interestingly, there is some evidence that treatment with antitubercular therapy may lead to both qualitative and quantitative improvement in ovarian reserve. As it appears to be a reversible cause of poor ovarian reserve, timely diagnosis and treatment may lead to an improvement in fertility outcome in women affected with FGTB.