Correct Answer: A. Genital tuberculosis
Genital tuberculosis (TB) is the most likely diagnosis in this clinical presentation. The key discriminating features are the chronic lower abdominal pain for 1 month, minimal discharge, and intermenstrual bleeding in a woman with multiple sexual partners (suggesting exposure risk in endemic TB areas like India). Genital TB typically affects the fallopian tubes (95%), endometrium (60%), and ovaries (25%), often sparing the cervix and vagina—hence minimal discharge. The endometrial involvement causes irregular bleeding patterns and menstrual abnormalities. TB is transmitted hematogenously from a primary pulmonary focus, not sexually; the sexual history is a demographic risk factor in high-prevalence Indian settings. The chronic indolent course (weeks to months), absence of acute purulent discharge, and insidious onset distinguish it from acute sexually transmitted infections. Diagnosis requires high clinical suspicion, endometrial biopsy with caseating granulomas, and TB culture/PCR. India has the highest TB burden globally, and genital TB remains a leading cause of infertility and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease in reproductive-age women. Treatment follows standard anti-TB regimens (RIPE: Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol for 2 months, then RH for 4 months).
Why the other options are wrong
B. Neisseria gonorrhoea — Gonorrhea causes acute purulent cervical discharge (often copious and mucopurulent), dysuria, and acute pelvic inflammatory disease with severe pain. The presentation here is subacute with minimal discharge—a key distinguishing feature. Gonorrhea typically presents within days to weeks, not a month of chronic symptoms. While it can cause intermenstrual bleeding via endometritis, the absence of significant discharge makes it unlikely. C. Herpes simplex — HSV presents with painful vesicular lesions on external genitalia, severe dysuria, and systemic symptoms (fever, malaise) during primary infection. Recurrent episodes are preceded by prodromal pain. This patient has no mention of vesicles, severe dysuria, or systemic symptoms. HSV does not typically cause chronic abdominal pain or intermenstrual bleeding. The clinical picture is incompatible with herpes infection. D. Candida — Candida causes vulvovaginal itching and thick white curdy discharge, often without systemic symptoms. It does not cause lower abdominal pain, intermenstrual bleeding, or chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. Candida is not a sexually transmitted infection in the classical sense and does not lead to endometrial or tubal pathology. The clinical presentation—chronic pain with minimal discharge—is atypical for candidiasis.
High-Yield Facts
- Genital TB affects fallopian tubes (95%) and endometrium (60%), typically sparing cervix and vagina—hence minimal discharge despite upper genital tract disease.
- Intermenstrual bleeding and amenorrhea are hallmark menstrual abnormalities in genital TB due to endometrial granulomas and fibrosis.
- Chronic indolent course (weeks to months) with insidious onset distinguishes TB from acute STIs like gonorrhea or chlamydia.
- Endometrial biopsy showing caseating granulomas is the gold standard for diagnosis; TB culture and PCR confirm the diagnosis.
- India has the highest TB burden globally; genital TB is a leading cause of infertility and accounts for 5–20% of infertile women in endemic areas.
- Standard anti-TB therapy (RIPE × 2 months + RH × 4 months) is the DOC; adjunctive surgery may be needed for severe tubal damage.
Mnemonics
MINIMAL discharge in Genital TB Minimal discharge, Intermenstrual bleeding, No acute systemic signs, Indolent course, Multiple risk factors (endemic TB area), Abdominal pain (chronic), Low-grade inflammation. Genital TB spares lower genital tract (cervix/vagina) → minimal discharge despite upper tract disease. TB vs Gonorrhea: The Discharge Rule Gonorrhea = Copious purulent discharge (acute STI). TB = Minimal/absent discharge (chronic granulomatous disease of upper tract). When you see 'minimal discharge + chronic pain,' think TB, not gonorrhea.
NBE Trap
NBE pairs "multiple sexual partners" with acute STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia) to lure students into choosing a sexually transmitted infection. However, the chronic 1-month course with minimal discharge is the key discriminator—genital TB is hematogenous, not sexually transmitted, and presents insidiously with upper genital tract involvement that spares the cervix.
Clinical Pearl
In India, when a reproductive-age woman presents with chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and menstrual irregularities without acute purulent discharge, genital TB must be ruled out—it is far more common in endemic TB areas than in Western populations. A high index of suspicion and endometrial biopsy can prevent delayed diagnosis and irreversible tubal damage.
_Reference: DC Dutta's Textbook of Gynaecology (6th ed.), Ch. 10 (Genital Tuberculosis); Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Ch. 165 (Tuberculosis)_