Cervicitis: Causes and warning symptoms

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi Man - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

The cervix, about 5cm long, lies between the uterus and the vagina. Cervicitis is a condition with symptoms such as bleeding outside of the menstrual cycle, pain during intercourse, and abnormal vaginal discharge. However, there are cases where no signs or symptoms are experienced. Determining the cause of cervicitis is very important. If the infection is not detected and treated, the inflammation can spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and pelvic cavity and abdomen causing life-threatening infections, affecting fertility and later pregnancy.

1. Symptoms of cervicitis

Usually, cervicitis has no signs and symptoms, and is only accidentally discovered when the patient has a routine health check or due to another disease. If present, signs and symptoms of cervicitis include:
Unusual vaginal discharge Pain during intercourse Bleeding outside of menstrual period Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, not related to menstruation When to see a doctor?
See a doctor if you have:
Unusually prolonged vaginal discharge Vaginal bleeding without periods Pain during intercourse

2. Causes of cervicitis

Severe cases of cervicitis are usually caused by an infection that is transmitted through sexual activity. Sexually transmitted infections (STDs) that can cause cervicitis include:
Gonorrhea Chlamydia Genital herpes Trichomonas Mycoplasma and ureaplasma bacteria

But there are women who have cervicitis but test negative for any kind of infection. Other possible causes of inflammation include:
Allergy to chemicals in spermicides, feminine hygiene solutions, or latex in condoms. Irritation or injury from tampons, vaginal tablets, or from birth control devices such as diaphragms. Bacterial imbalance; Normal, healthy bacteria in the vagina are replaced by unhealthy or harmful bacteria. This is also called bacterial vaginosis. Hormonal imbalance; Having relatively low estrogen or high progesterone can interfere with your ability to maintain healthy cervical tissue. Cancer or cancer treatment can cause changes in the body that lead to cervicitis.

3. Risk factors

You are at higher risk of cervicitis than others if:
High-risk sexual behavior, such as unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, or sex with someone who engages in high-risk behavior Early sex Has a history of sexually transmitted infections

4. Complications of cervicitis

Your cervix acts as a barrier to prevent bacteria and viruses from entering the uterus. When the cervix becomes infected, the risk that other infections will enter your uterus increases.
Cervicitis caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia can spread to the lining of the uterus and fallopian tubes, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the reproductive organs that can cause fertility problems if not treated early.
Cervicitis can also increase a woman's risk of getting HIV from an infected partner.

5. Prevention

To reduce the risk of cervicitis from a sexually transmitted infection, use a condom every time you have sex. Condoms are very effective against the spread of STIs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.

6. Cervicitis treatment

You will not need treatment for cervicitis if it is caused by an allergic reaction to products such as spermicide or feminine hygiene products.If your doctor finds the cause of your cervicitis, If the uterus is caused by an infection, the main goal of treatment is to clear the infection and prevent it from spreading to the uterus and fallopian tubes, or, if you are pregnant, to help protect your baby. Depending on the organism causing infections, your doctor may prescribe:
Antibiotics Antifungals Antivirals Your doctor may also recommend that your husband or sexual partner also be examined and treated for an infection to make sure you don't re-infected. You should not have sex until you and your partner have recovered. Treatment is especially important if you already have HIV because cervicitis increases the amount of virus released from the cervix. to increase the risk of infection to partners. In addition, cervicitis can make it easier for you to get HIV from an HIV-positive partner.

Note, doctors do not recommend patients to perform non-pharmacological treatments such as douches or yogurt to treat cervicitis that have no effect on cervicitis and may worsen the symptoms. symptoms of the disease.
Currently, at Vinmec International General Hospital, we are implementing the Basic Gynecological Examination and Screening Package, helping customers to detect early infectious diseases for easy and inexpensive treatment; Screening for early detection of gynecological cancer (cervical cancer).
With a team of experienced gynecologists at Vinmec hospital, ready to examine and treat you. When you see the symptoms of cervicitis, you should go to the doctor and treat as soon as possible to avoid trouble in daily life.

Specialist I Nguyen Thi Man is former Head of Obstetrics Department - Tam Tri Da Nang General Hospital, Head of IUI unit (Intrauterine Insemination) - Hoan My Hospital - Da Nang. The doctor has more than 10 years of experience in diagnosing, consulting and treating in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology such as:
Infertility examination and consultation, implementation of assisted reproductive techniques such as: Ovulation monitoring, intrauterine insemination (IUI) Examination, ultrasound, screening and treatment of gynecological diseases Laparoscopic surgery for ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy

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Article reference source: mayoclinic.org, webmd.com