The changing pattern of tuberculosis of the female genital tract. A thirty year survey.

Between 1st January, 1951 and 31st December, 1980, 704 women with proven tuberculosis of the genital tract were investigated. The previous obstetrical history, age incidence, presenting symptoms, and pelvic findings have been reviewed in 10-year periods. The incidence of previous pregnancies rose in successive periods and the average age increased. The main differences in the presenting symptoms were a lessening in the frequency of amenorrhoea and vaginal discharge and an increase in postmenopausal bleeding. The incidence of palpable adnexal masses decreased in successive 10-year periods. Short drug courses were mainly employed in the earlier years and longer courses in the later years. The drugs used initially were streptomycin, PAS and isoniazid, ethambutol and rifampicin being introduced later. The incidence of surgical treatment following failure of drug therapy was much higher in those who had received short drug courses than in those who had received longer ones.