N74.1: Female tuberculous pelvic inflammatory disease

You have tuberculosis. Organs or tissue in your pelvis are inflamed as a result.

Tuberculosis is also abbreviated to TB. Tuberculosis is caused by certain bacteria. The bacteria are transmitted through coughing and sneezing, for example. The bacteria can remain undetected in the body for a very long time. But they can also cause severe inflammations. The bacteria trigger symptoms when the body’s defense system is weakened. For example, tuberculosis may cause fever, coughing and a feeling of weakness. It is also possible to lose weight and feel very tired.

The pelvis contains the internal genital organs. The internal female genital organs include the uterus, the fallopian tubes and ovaries. The vagina is also one of the internal genital organs and goes from the uterus to the outside of the body.

You may not have any symptoms if organs in your pelvis are inflamed. However it may disrupt your periods. Sometimes you may also have pain in the abdomen.

If the fallopian tubes are inflamed over a long period they may stick together. A woman has two ovaries. Each ovary normally takes turns maturing one egg every month. These eggs may be fertilized by sperm. The eggs pass to the uterus through the fallopian tube. If the fallopian tubes stick together this may prevent you from conceiving naturally.