Women get the same main TB symptoms as men. Women may also get genital TB, which can affect periods and fertility, and TB during pregnancy needs special care.
हिंदी में सार
महिलाओं में टीबी के मुख्य लक्षण वही हैं: 2 हफ़्ते या ज़्यादा खाँसी, बुखार, रात को पसीना, वज़न घटना। गर्भाशय या ट्यूब की टीबी में बांझपन, माहवारी में गड़बड़ी और पेट के निचले हिस्से में दर्द हो सकता है। गर्भावस्था में टीबी का इलाज ज़रूरी और संभव है।
The official warning signs
India’s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) uses a four-symptom complex to decide who should be tested for lung TB. The programme says anyone with a cough of more than 2 weeks, with or without other symptoms, should be identified as presumptive TB and tested.
- Cough for 2 weeks or morewith or without phlegm
- Fever for 2 weeks or moreoften rising in the evening
- Night sweatswaking up drenched
- Weight losswithout trying
Other common signs listed by the programme:
- Blood in the phlegmeven a streak
- Chest painor breathlessness
- Loss of appetiteand tiredness
- An abnormal chest X-rayfound during a check-up
Signs that are specific to women
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Missed or changed periods
- Long-lasting pelvic or lower belly pain
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
See uterus and genital TB symptoms.
TB during pregnancy
The CDC says untreated TB is a greater risk to a pregnant woman and her baby than TB treatment. First-line TB medicines are not known to harm the baby, and women taking them can usually breastfeed. Tell your doctor you are pregnant. See TB in pregnancy and children.
Barriers some women face
Women may put family first, fear stigma, or need permission to travel to a clinic. If you are a family member, help her get tested early. TB testing and treatment are free at government health facilities.
Symptoms alone cannot tell you whether you have TB. If you have a cough or fever for 2 weeks or more, weight loss, night sweats or blood in your phlegm, go to your nearest government health facility and ask for a TB test. TB testing and treatment are free there.
Free TB helpline Ni-kshay Sampark: 1800-11-6666.
Should I get tested?Answer a few yes or no questions based on the official TB warning signs. Nothing is saved.
Start the checklistMore on TB symptoms
Frequently asked questions
Do TB symptoms in women differ from men?
The main signs are the same. Genital TB signs differ.
Can TB stop periods?
Genital TB can cause missed or changed periods. Weight loss from any long illness can also affect periods.
Can I take TB medicines while breastfeeding?
The CDC says women on first-line TB drugs can continue breastfeeding. Ask your doctor.
Medical review note. Written from official TB programme guidelines; last checked 16 October 2026. This is general information, not medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, see a doctor at your nearest government health facility.