Alteration of female sex hormones and menstrual pattern among women infected with pulmonary tuberculosis

• Published in: The Egyptian journal of chest diseases and tuberculosis Vol. 68; no. 2; pp. 146 - 149
• Main Authors: Magdy, Doaa, Azouz, Ahmed, El Zohne, Randa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.04.2019; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: pulmonary tuberculosis; reproductive function; sex hormones; pulmonary tuberculosis; sex hormones; reproductive function
• ISSN: 0422-7638; 2090-9950
• DOI: 10.4103/ejcdt.ejcdt_129_18

Background Not only does genital tuberculosis (TB) have a negative effect on female reproductive function, but pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) as well. The aim was to assess the association of PTB and female sex hormones. Patients and methods The study was conducted on 100 women diagnosed as having PTB (72 with smear-positive and 28 with smear-negative results). Moreover, 50 healthy volunteers were used as controls. All were evaluated for the following: medical and menstrual history (duration, amount), sputum examination, chest radiography, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) (follicular phase), and estradiol (E2) and progesterone (luteal phase). Results The mean age of the patients with PTB was 36.2±7.561 years. Of the 100 patients with TB, 15% were hypertensive and 10% had diabetes mellitus. No significant differences were observed regarding BMI and mean ages of menarche between patients with and without PTB. Menstrual irregularity was observed in 68% of patients with TB. Moreover, 42% of them presented with secondary amenorrhea, whereas 10% had hypomenorrhea. On comparing hormonal profile, the sex hormones (progesterone, E2, FSH, and LH) were significantly lower when compared with the control. The progesterone and E2 levels were significantly reduced in smear-positive as compared with smear-negative patients. On grading sputum for acid-fast bacilli, we found that 3+ grading had significantly lower progesterone and E2 and higher FSH and LH levels. Additionally, significant relationships were found between bacillary load and sex hormones, progesterone and E2. Conclusion PTB has a negative effect on female sex hormones, which may have some implication in their reproductive life.