Cervicitis is a disease that is often asymptomatic, which makes it even more dangerous. Untreated cervicitis can lead not only to infertility, but also to the spread of inflammation to the peritoneum, which is an immediate life threatening condition. What are the causes and how do you recognize the symptoms of cervicitis? What is the treatment?
Cervicitisis inflammation of the part of the uterus that connects the vagina with the uterine cavity. The cervix plays a very important role: it protects the upper genital tract from infections, allows sperm to enter the uterus, and during delivery, the baby can escape from the uterus.
Cervicitis - causes and risk factors
Acute cervicitis, which is associated with sudden onset of symptoms, is usually caused by a sexually transmitted disease such as:
- chlamydiosis,
- trichomoniasis,
- genital warts (HPV infection)
- gonorrhea
- genital herpes.
Cervicitis can also be caused by other pathogens such as fungi, staphylococci, streptococci, colitis, or ureaplasma (a microbe that causes inflammation of the genitourinary system). Inflammation can also develop when the natural balance of the vaginal flora is disturbed. Then there is an advantage of "bad" bacteria over "good" ones.
Cervical inflammation may also be caused by an allergic reaction to latex or chemical contraceptives (spermicidal gels, contraceptive foams, vaginal globules, spermicidal creams). The spiral can also be the source of infection.
Chronic cervicitis that lasts several months is common after childbirth. In this case, inflammation can be caused by mechanical damage to the cervix that occurred during childbirth, such as a cervical rupture. Other cervical injuries, such as the destruction of the cervical mucosa during intrauterine procedures, injuries caused by tampons or vaginal globules, can also cause inflammation.
In rare cases, cervicitis may develop in women who havetreat neoplastic disease with radiotherapy.
The risk group includes women who frequently change sexual partners and have sex without condom protection.
Cervicitis - symptoms
Inflammation is asymptomatic in most cases. However, some women show:
- purulent or muco-purulent vaginal discharge;
- vaginal spotting or bleeding after intercourse or between periods;
- painful intercourse;
- frequent urination or smoking and pain when urinating;
- itching of the vagina and vulva;
- abdominal pain and fever (in rare cases);
Cervicitis - complications
Since the cervix allows sperm to enter the uterus, inflammation may result in infertility. On the other hand,cervicitis in pregnancymay lead to premature birth or miscarriage. In addition, inflammation can spread to the higher reproductive organs (which causes pelvic inflammatory disease - PID) and even to the urinary system or the peritoneum, which in the latter case is a condition of immediate life-threatening.
Cervicitis - diagnosis
If cervicitis is suspected, a basic gynecological examination is performed. Then the cervix is swollen, tender and bleeds easily. In addition, cervical discharge is collected for culture to identify pathogens responsible for inflammation.
In addition, the doctor conducts an interview with the patient, during which he may ask, inter alia, o the number of sexual partners in the last 60 days, whether sex is secured with a condom, and the type of contraception used.
Cervicitis - treatment
The main goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection and prevent the infection from spreading to the uterus and fallopian tubes, or (if you are pregnant) to your baby.
Depending on which pathogen is causing the inflammation, the patient is given vaginally anti-inflammatory drugs, antifungal drugs or antibiotics (topical or systemic). However, after recovery, the inflammation may recur, which occurs in 8-25% of patients. women.
You should exercise sexual abstinence during therapy. It is also necessary to treat sexual partners of sick women.