Women's reproductive system is arranged very complexly and subtly. In the absence of any pathologies, a woman can live a full life: work productively, actively relax, have sex and give birth to children. But if any of the components of the reproductive system fails, various problems appear. As a rule, failures occur due to diseases and pathological processes. One such process is cervicitis. What is such a deviation and how to deal with it? Let's try to figure it out.
By its nature, cervicitis is a type of inflammatory process occurring in the vaginal segment of the cervix. If there is such a defect, specific discharge comes out of the vagina, and there may be pain discomfort in the lower abdomen. In addition, pain may accompany urination, as well as sexual contact.
Cervicitis - what is it?
This pathology is quite dangerous, because it can provoke additional complications. What causes cervicitis?
Causes of cervicitis
The fact is that the cervix is a kind of natural shield that protects the uterus itself and the upper genital tract from infectious agents. Under the influence of harmful factors, the protective functionality of the cervix may decline. As a result of this weakening, pathogenic microflora penetrates into the uterus, and the pathological process begins. This process is called cervicitis.
Cervicitis of the cervix is divided into 2 types according to the localization of inflammation:
- exocervicitis;
- endocervicitis.
With exocervicitis, the vaginal part of the cervix becomes inflamed. With endocervicitis, the inner lining of the cervical canal is affected.
The occurrence of the pathology in question can be provoked by a variety of pathogens.
As a rule, cervicitis of the cervix occurs due to exposure to:
- staphylococcus;
- coli;
- streptococcus;
- pathogenic fungi;
- gonococcus;
- syphilis;
- Trichomonas;
- certain protozoal infectious agents.
Mechanical damage to the cervix can also affect the formation of cervicitis.
The causes of cervicitis may be:
- cervical injuries during childbirth;
- damage to the inner lining of the vagina during preventive curettage;
- poor-quality abortion;
- poor installation or unprofessional removal of the intrauterine device.
Inflammation can develop if a woman has benign formations in the vaginal area. A weak immune system can contribute to the onset of such inflammation.
Often, cervicitis progresses on a large scale, causing the appearance of additional defects. In particular, vaginitis, vulvitis, and pseudo-erosion of the cervix may develop.
As for the risk group, it includes women of reproductive age. According to statistics, more than 70% of women who had any type of cervicitis were aged from 20 to 45 years. However, occasionally, cervicitis can also be detected in women during menopause.
The pathology is extremely dangerous for pregnant women. It can cause premature birth or miscarriage.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cervicitis differ depending on the type of pathology. Medicine distinguishes several types of cervicitis (depending on the characteristics of its course). So, according to the time of occurrence they distinguish:
- chronic cervicitis;
- acute cervicitis;
- hidden cervicitis.
Depending on the extent to which segments of the reproductive system are affected, cervicitis can be
- focal
- diffuse.
Occasionally, a hidden type of flow may occur. In acute cases, mucous or purulent discharge may be present. Less commonly, a woman may experience painful discomfort in the lower abdomen. There is often swelling of the external opening of the cervical canal. Hemorrhages and ulcers may also occur.
The severity of cervicitis also depends on the type of pathogen and the strength of the immune system; symptoms may vary depending on the organism.
For example, the gonorrheal type of cervicitis is acute, with clear symptoms. Cervicitis is quickly diagnosed.
If the causative agent is chlamydia, the symptoms may be less obvious.
When the cause of the pathology is herpes, severe redness of the cervix occurs. In addition, with inflammation of a herpetic nature, ulcers often form on the uterine cervix.
If cervicitis is of Trichomonas origin, there is a high probability of mild hemorrhages. At the same time, a smear taken for analysis may contain atypical cellular components.
When the causative agents of cervicitis are actinomycetes, the so-called “yellow granular spot” symptom is present.
Human papillomavirus is also capable of causing this type inflammation, the symptoms in this case have some differences. With this reason, condylomas may occur. There is also a high risk of developing cervical ulcers.
In the absence of timely treatment measures inflammatory process becomes chronic, symptoms change slightly. Chronic cervicitis is less pronounced. The discharge becomes more cloudy, and pseudo-erosion of the vaginal component of the uterus may occur. As it becomes chronic, the main symptoms of cervicitis (such as swelling) become less obvious. The pathological process can affect nearby tissues and glands. There is a high risk of cyst formation. Almost always, the structure of the cervix becomes atypically dense.
Diagnostics
The main danger of cervicitis is that it often occurs without symptoms, which is why women rarely seek help from specialists. As a rule, this type of inflammation is detected during routine gynecological examinations of the cervix, or after examinations when women come to the hospital for other problems. If there is a suspicion of cervicitis, all diagnostic measures are aimed at determining the root cause of the pathology.
Often, the diagnosis of cervicitis includes:
- examination of the cervix using speculum;
- colposcopy, thanks to which you can clearly see atypical changes in the uterine epithelium;
- various laboratory examination techniques (micro-examination of smears, bacterial cultures, cytomorphological examinations).
In acute cases, smears contain many leuko-lympho- and histiocytes. In chronic cervicitis, cellular components of columnar epithelium of various sizes are visible. Occasionally it is possible to detect traces of cellular destruction.
Thanks to a bacteriological examination, you can find out the type and type of organisms that provoked inflammation. Also, through this analysis, it is possible to select the most suitable type of antibiotics.
Cytomorphology of the smear makes it possible to thoroughly study damage to cellular components. Also, thanks to it, you can observe the dynamics of cellular changes during the treatment stage. A procedure called PCR allows you to detect pathogens of an infectious nature (gonorrhea, chlamydia, papillomavirus).
Treatment
Fortunately, modern medicine knows a lot of techniques with which you can treat cervicitis. Treatment is primarily aimed at eliminating provoking factors (weak immunity, hormonal imbalances). In addition, concomitant pathologies must be healed.
Cervicitis is a pathology that can cause many complications and health problems. If you notice symptoms of cervicitis, consult a specialist. Treatment should be carried out by an experienced doctor!
As a rule, treatment involves the use of antibacterial and antiviral drugs. The selection of funds is carried out by the attending physician. The choice depends on the susceptibility of the pathogenic component to a particular drug and on the stage pathological process.
For chlamydial inflammation, tetracycline antibiotics (for example, monomycin), macrolides, and quinolones are prescribed. For candidiasis-type cervicitis, fluconazole is often prescribed. To obtain a better result, different drugs can be combined, which speeds up treatment. The type of medicine can be different: both tablet forms of medicine and suppositories are used.
Local treatment can be activated when the pathological process is already beginning to weaken. For local therapy, the vagina and cervix can be treated with a three percent dimethyl sulfoxide solution and a two percent chlorophyllipt solution. In addition, doctors often prescribe treatment with a solution containing silver nitrates.
Treating viral cervicitis is quite problematic. So, in the presence of genital herpes, treatment is quite long. It involves taking antiviral drugs (for example, acyclovir), special antiherpes Igs, vitamin complexes, immune system stimulants.
To eliminate papillomavirus lesions, interferons and cytostatics are used; If necessary, condylomas are removed. If the inflammation is atrophic in nature, treatment involves the use of female hormones. This measure helps restore the vaginal and uterine epithelium. In addition, the balance of microflora and cervical tissue is restored. If specific infectious lesions occur, the sexual partner of the sick woman must also undergo treatment.
For chronic cervicitis, conservative treatment measures are less effective. For this reason, doctors prescribe surgery:
- diathermocoagulation;
- cryotherapy;
- laser processing.
However, for the operation to be permitted, the woman must be free of infections. Before and after the operation, measures are continued to be taken to eliminate associated defects; Efforts are also made to normalize the balance of microflora.
So that the doctor can monitor the entire treatment process, the woman periodically undergoes colposcopy. Also, smears must be taken for laboratory examination. The cervix may be examined in a gynecological chair to monitor treatment.
Prevention measures
As you can see, cervicitis is an extremely unpleasant pathology that can negatively affect a woman’s life.
However, “getting to know” her can be avoided. To do this, you need to follow a number of simple preventive measures:
- observe regularly intimate hygiene;
- protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy so as not to have an abortion later, which can provoke inflammation and cervicitis;
- treat infectious lesions of the vagina and cervix in a timely manner;
- follow all medical recommendations during pregnancy and at the stage of childbirth, so as not to damage the cervix during the birth of the child;
- eliminate endocrine system dysfunctions in a timely manner.
These rules are quite enough to protect yourself from cervicitis and the accompanying problems it causes.
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Content
Cervicitis is one of the most frequently diagnosed underlying diseases in the field of gynecology. Despite the fact that this pathology is not life-threatening, it can significantly worsen a woman’s quality of life.
Cervicitis is an inflammatory process that develops in the vaginal part of the cervix.
The disease does not always manifest itself with severe symptoms, which contributes to the transition of the active phase to a chronic course. Long-term, indolent cervicitis can lead to the formation of ectopia and hypertrophy of the cervical part of the uterus. In addition, chronic cervicitis often leads to the development of adnexitis and other inflammatory processes in the reproductive sphere in women.The cervix resembles a narrow cylindrical tube up to four centimeters long and about two centimeters wide. It connects the uterine body and the vagina thanks to the cervical canal, which runs in its center. The cervical canal is quite narrow and contains glands that produce mucus. This mucus helps the cervix perform a protective function and prevent the spread of infection along the ascending path from the vagina.
Unlike the vagina, the uterine cavity is sterile. Penetration of infection can cause various inflammatory processes and infertility.
Under the influence of unfavorable factors, the protective function of the cervix is disrupted. As a result pathogenic flora penetrates the cervical canal, causing the development of endocervicitis. If inflammation is observed in the vaginal segment, they speak of the development of exocervicitis.
Cervicitis can occur in different types. Depending on the activity of the pathological process and the severity of its symptoms over a certain period of time, cervicitis is distinguished:
- spicy;
- chronic.
The chronic form of cervicitis is a consequence of untreated acute inflammation and is difficult to treat. In some cases, doctors treat this pathology surgically.
Cervicitis develops due to damage to the cervical tissue by various pathogenic microorganisms. Depending on the nature of the microflora leading to inflammation of the cervix, two types of cervicitis are distinguished.
- Non-specific. This type of disease is caused by opportunistic microflora of the cervix. Most often, with nonspecific cervicitis, microorganisms such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, Candida fungi, and E. coli are detected, which enter the cervical area along with blood and lymph.
This microflora is classified as opportunistic due to with the fact that it is often present on the mucous membranes in small quantities. However, under unfavorable conditions, opportunistic microorganisms are activated, causing severe symptoms of inflammation.
- Specific. This type of microorganisms includes chlamydia, ureaplasma and mycoplasma, HPV, herpes, CMV, gonococci. Infection occurs mainly through sexual contact.
Cervicitis is classified according to the degree of damage to the mucous membrane:
- focal;
- diffuse.
Cervicitis requires timely treatment, which is prescribed depending on the specific pathogen that caused the disease.
Causes and factors of occurrence
Cervicitis occurs when opportunistic and specific microflora are activated. However, for the inflammatory process to develop, the influence of the following negative factors is necessary:
- trauma to cervical tissue during abortion, curettage, childbirth, installation of an intrauterine device and pessary;
- neoplasms of the cervical region that are benign in nature;
- weakening of the body's defenses;
- concomitant gynecological pathologies, for example, ectopia, vaginitis or bartholinitis;
- promiscuous sex life;
- long-term use of local contraception.
Most women diagnosed with cervicitis are of reproductive age. Nevertheless, it is possible that the disease may develop in women after menopause. If there is no treatment for the disease, polyps, ectopia and adnexitis may occur.
Treatment of pathology is of particular importance during pregnancy. This period is characterized by a physiological decrease in immunity, which often leads to exacerbation of many diseases, including cervicitis. Doctors must treat cervicitis in pregnant women due to the risk of infection of the amniotic membranes, the fetus itself, the threat of miscarriage, and premature birth.
Clinical manifestations
Symptoms for cervicitis are often absent. In general, the intensity of the manifestations of the disease is influenced by the form of cervicitis, which can be either acute or chronic.
Acute cervicitis occurs with severe symptoms.
- Pathological discharge. Often women are bothered by copious mucous or purulent discharge, which may have an unpleasant odor.
- Painful sensations. In the acute form, there may be a dull pain in the lower abdomen. When affected by bladder infections, urethritis and cystitis can develop.
- Feeling of discomfort. Often a woman experiences itching and tingling in the vagina.
Among the visual signs of the acute form of cervicitis are:
- swelling of tissues;
- hyperemia outside the cervical canal;
- swelling of the mucous membrane;
- areas with hemorrhage or ulceration.
If women are not treated promptly a disease whose acute form becomes chronic.
In a chronic condition, the symptoms are muted, exacerbating when exposed to unfavorable factors. Unusual discharge, painful frequent urination and mild discomfort in the genital area may be systematically observed. During a gynecological examination, slight swelling and proliferation of tissue of the cervical mucosa, as well as replacement of the epithelium, are diagnosed.
Manifestations of cervicitis directly depend on the pathogen that caused the disease. For example, gonorrhea is always accompanied by acute symptoms, while chlamydia has a hidden course. When infected with the genital herpes virus, the cervix is covered with characteristic ulcers, and HPV promotes the formation of formations on the mucous membrane.
The symptoms of cervicitis are similar to those of many gynecological pathologies. To make a correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment, a woman should consult a gynecologist.
Diagnostic methods
Since cervicitis is characterized by asymptomatic progression, the disease is often detected in the chronic stage. Treatment in such cases is often ineffective. Detection of cervicitis at the onset of the disease most often occurs by chance. Diagnosis of the disease is aimed not only at making a specific diagnosis, but also at determining the causes of the inflammatory process.
Cervicitis can be detected using basic diagnostic methods.
- Visual examination by a gynecologist on a chair. During the gynecological examination, the doctor uses a gynecological speculum, which allows you to see changes characteristic of the disease: swelling, heavy discharge, pronounced color, growths and formations of the cervix.
- Colposcopy. This is an additional research method that is recommended in the presence of structural changes in the mucosa. To diagnose background and precancerous diseases, an extended type of colposcopy is performed using special solutions. These substances are applied to the cervix in order to obtain a colposcopic picture of certain pathologies.
- Oncocytology. Such a study is a smear to determine atypical cells and the inflammatory process. A chronic process is indicated by a change in the shape of cylindrical cells.
- General smear. The laboratory method refers to basic diagnostics and is performed to assess the vaginal microflora. In the acute type of pathology, an increased concentration of lymphocytes is observed, which ranges from 30 units.
- Bacterial culture. The analysis involves a detailed type of smear to diagnose microorganisms inhabiting the vagina.
- PCR research. This diagnosis is necessary to identify the pathogenic microflora that causes specific cervicitis.
Doctors treat infections with a variety of antibacterial drugs. In order for the treatment to be effective and suitable for a specific strain of microorganism, it is advisable to perform an antibiotic sensitivity test.
- Ultrasound with a vaginal sensor. Diagnostics allows you to visualize structural changes in the cervix that are observed in pathology.
The examination is prescribed on an individual basis depending on the medical history, clinical picture and patient complaints.
Treatment
In modern gynecology, cervicitis is treated using different tactics. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the factor that provokes inflammation and concomitant diseases of an infectious nature.
Pathology is treated:
- conservatively;
- surgically.
Conservative therapy involves taking various medications and procedures. Cervicitis is treated:
- antibacterial agents;
- antiviral drugs;
- antifungal drugs;
- immunostimulants and immunomodulators;
- vitamin-mineral complexes;
- hormonal therapy;
- antiseptics;
- physiotherapy.
Conservative treatment involves an integrated approach. Of particular importance is the simultaneous treatment of both sexual partners and compliance with all doctor’s recommendations.
Cervicitis appears due to decreased immunity; therefore, the pathology is also treated with good nutrition and moderate physical activity. After treatment, it is necessary to restore the vaginal microflora with special preparations.
Chronic cervicitis is often treated surgically.
- Diathermocoagulation. The method is used mainly in women who have given birth and involves the use of electric current.
- Cryotherapy. The intervention is carried out using liquid nitrogen, which freezes the pathological tissues.
- Laser therapy. Treatment involves the use of a dosed laser beam in women of different age groups.
Surgical treatment is carried out after drug therapy. A woman is not treated surgically if an active inflammatory process and sexually transmitted infections are detected. A month after treatment, its effectiveness is monitored. The patient was recommended to perform laboratory tests, undergo colposcopy and a general gynecological examination.
To avoid relapses, it is necessary to follow preventive measures:
- observe the rules of intimate hygiene;
- use a barrier method of protection;
- avoid casual sex and surgical interventions;
- promptly treat genital infections.
If symptoms occur gynecological disease You should consult a doctor in a timely manner to undergo the necessary examination.
The development of inflammatory processes affecting the genital organs is diagnosed in most representatives of the fair sex. The female reproductive system is formed in such a way that it allows the rapid spread of infection from the vagina to the internal genital organs. Cervicitis is a disease in which the ovaries and endometrium become inflamed. Common negative consequences include complications that arise during pregnancy or the development of infertility in the future. To protect your body from possible conditions, you need to undergo regular examination by specialists.
General description
Cervicitis is a disease that is diagnosed cervical inflammation in the vaginal area. Pathological process accompanied by purulent or mucus-laced discharge, soreness in the lower abdomen, pain during urination, as well as discomfort during sexual intercourse. If a chronic form of pathology is diagnosed, then this condition is characterized by erosive phenomena, thickening of the uterine walls, and infection of the upper part of the vagina.
Cervicitis is a fairly well-known problem in gynecology among women of childbearing age and is less commonly found in the period before menopause. Establishing the real prevalence of the disease is somewhat difficult due to the fact that cervicitis is asymptomatic and is mainly detected during preventive medical examinations.
Cervicitis - what is it?
The disease is a general inflammation of the uterus, which includes the presence of a pathological process in the mucous membrane of the vaginal part of the cervix and cervical canal. Isolated inflammations are very rare, and in most cases they are combined with other inflammatory problems of the female reproductive system (colpitis, vaginitis, cervical erosion).
ICD code 10 N72 Inflammatory diseases of the cervix.
Causes of Cervicitis
The mucous membrane of the cervical canal plays the role of a protective barrier between the uterine cavity and the external environment. The composition of cervical mucus includes proteolytic enzymes, immunoglobulins of all classes, and bactericidal substances. As you can see in the photo, the cervix and its mucus represent a kind of filter that provides protection from the influence of unfavorable agents.
The most common causes of Cervicitis may be:
- pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases: chlamydia, gonococci, trichomonas, papilloma and herpes simplex viruses, mycoplasma, ureaplasma;
- nonspecific flora: streptococcus, Proteus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, fungi of the genus Candida;
- injury to the cervical canal during childbirth, abortion, insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive;
- the effect of strong chemical solutions when douching
- changes in hormonal levels during premenopause may be the cause of cervicitis.
It should be noted that an additional risk contributing to the development of the disease is the early onset of sexual activity, the presence of sexual relations with a large number men, childbirth before 16 years of age, smoking, allergies to latex or spermicides, taking certain hormonal drugs.
Classification of the disease
The disease is differentiated into several categories:
- according to the nature of the inflammation, there are acute, chronic and subacute cervicitis;
- by type of pathogen: specific and nonspecific cervicitis;
- According to the degree of activity, minimal, severe and moderate cervicitis is distinguished.
General symptoms of cervical cervicitis
Inflammation is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- vaginal discharge of a foamy purulent nature, with an unpleasant odor;
- irritation and itching in the vulva area;
- pain during coitus and bloody discharge after it, anorgasmia;
- pulling pain in the lower abdomen and lower back;
- a burning sensation and pain during urination;
- dark spotting vaginal discharge between periods.
If you notice these symptoms, contact your gynecologist immediately. Only on the basis of examination and diagnostic data will the doctor make the correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.
In addition to the generally accepted classification forms of inflammation, there are other types of this disease.
Acute Cervicitis: what is it?
Inflammation that lasts up to 6 weeks. Signs are characterized by a rapid course, manifested by copious purulent discharge from the vagina, moderately elevated temperature, nagging pain in the lower abdomen.
When examining the speculum in case of acute inflammation, the gynecologist will see the discharge of pus from the external pharynx of the cervical canal, pinpoint hemorrhages, swelling of the tissues and redness of the mucous membrane, and erosions may be detected.
Chronic cervicitis. APA.
Chronic cervicitis. Treatment, signs
Chronic cervicitis. Phonophoresis (NCUS)
Gonococcal cervicitis occurs in an acute form. The risk group for this disease includes women who have multiple sexual partners or a partner with gonorrheal urethritis. Purulent cervicitis is accompanied by copious purulent discharge and can spread into the uterine cavity.
Bacterial cervicitis can be provoked by staphylococcus, streptococcus and other nonspecific flora. The cause may be an imbalance in the vaginal flora, and the disease will not necessarily be associated with sexual activity.
Chronic Cervicitis
Chronic inflammation of the cervical canal generally has no symptoms and is detected when a woman consults a doctor for other reasons. The chronic form of the disease can occur if the acute form of inflammation is not detected and treated in a timely manner. Due to a long-term pathological process, the formation of infiltrates, cysts and thickening of the cervix occurs, which makes it possible to define the disease as productive cervicitis.
Very often the reason chronic forms are fungi, viruses or hormonal changes in the female body.
Candidiasis cervicitis
It occurs in a situation where there is already a fungal infection in the vagina (thrush). When examining the cervix in the speculum, white deposits are detected, which are easily scraped off, resulting in exposure of the inflamed red mucosa.
Lymphocytic Cervicitis
The disease is also called follicular cervicitis. This form of inflammation is asymptomatic and occurs in menopausal women. The process is a lymphoid “impregnation” of the walls of the cervix, resulting in the formation of follicular benign formations. If this form of inflammation is detected, the doctor will definitely carry out a differential diagnosis with malignant lymphosarcoma.
Cystic cervicitis
It is a form of the disease in which benign cysts form in the cervix. As a result of the inflammatory process, blockage of the glands that secrete mucus occurs and their subsequent proliferation, which the gynecologist will detect during examination or colposcopy.
Viral Cervicitis
The disease appears as a result of infection with the herpes simplex virus, human papilloma virus, and HIV. It is somewhat difficult to recognize because it has no specific features. During the examination, the doctor may see blisters characteristic of a herpes infection, or only a laboratory will confirm the diagnosis.
Atrophic cervicitis
Most often this is a chronic and nonspecific form of the disease. Common reasons atrophic inflammation - traumatic manipulations associated with disruption of the integrity of the cervical canal of the uterus or childbirth.
Diagnostics
To make a correct diagnosis, in addition to standard gynecological manipulations (examination in speculum, bimanual palpation), you will need to take a smear for a cytogram, culture to determine the microflora of the vagina, donate blood to check for syphilis and HIV and major sexually transmitted infections. Diagnosis of the disease does not exclude colposcopy.
Why is Cervicide dangerous?
The main danger of the disease lies in its negative impact on a woman’s reproductive function. Patients who have suffered inflammation of the cervical canal in the future may have problems conceiving and carrying a pregnancy, including infertility. The long-term nature of the disease can also lead to oncological complications.
Treatment of cervicitis of the cervix
The main tactic in treating the disease is to combat the underlying cause that caused the inflammation. Taking into account the clinic and laboratory data, the doctor will prescribe a comprehensive treatment.
Based on treatment standards and reviews on patient forums, you are presented with a list of drugs used for treatment.
Antibiotics for Cervicitis. Good reviews received the drug azithromycin, called Sumamed, especially since its use is permitted in pregnant women. Fluoroquinolones (Ofloxacin) and tetracycline antibiotics are also used to treat acute and purulent cervicitis. Chlamydial Cervicitis is treated with azithromycin in combination with local treatment of the mucous membrane with solutions of Dimexide or Chlorophyllipt.
Suppositories for cervicitis: Hexicon, Terzhinan, Polygynax, Metronidazole.
Traditional treatment of the disease
The essence traditional methods is to eliminate the consequences of the disease and strengthen the body's defenses. They use decoctions of anti-inflammatory herbs: chamomile, oak bark, sage in the form of douches and tampons. Use folk remedies only after treatment prescribed by a doctor.
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Cervicitis is an inflammatory process in the vaginal segment of the cervix. Cervicitis, the symptoms of which are characterized by purulent or mucous discharge, pain in the lower abdomen (pulling or dull), pain in sexual intercourse and urination.
Prolonged chronic cervicitis leads to the development of erosion, thickening of the cervix, and the spread of infection to the upper parts of the genital apparatus.
By its structure, the cervix serves as a barrier that prevents infection from entering the uterus. Under certain factors, its protective function is disrupted, which leads to the entry of foreign microflora into this area, thereby promoting the development of inflammation - cervicitis of the cervix.
Most often, the disease occurs in women aged 18 to 45 years who are sexually active. However, many infected women do not undergo the necessary treatment, since the symptoms of cervicitis may be hidden.
Reasons
Why does cervicitis occur, and what is it? In order for a woman to develop this disease, it is necessary to introduce various pathogenic microflora into the genitals: E. coli, streptococci, staphylococci, mycoplasmas and other microorganisms. They are able to enter the cervix through contact pathways, through the blood and lymph or from the rectum; specific microflora is transmitted sexually.
In most cases, cervicitis of the cervix occurs due to the presence of vaginal sexually transmitted infections:,. Inflammation of the cervix can also be provoked by herpetic genital infections, or. In addition, mechanical irritants can also accompany the onset of the disease, such as injuries to the cervix after abortion, childbirth, or due to other injuries.
Cervicitis rarely occurs in isolation; usually its development is accompanied by other pathologies of the reproductive system: vaginitis, ectropion, pseudo-erosions of the cervix. To avoid complications, you need to think in time about how to treat cervicitis and what medications will be required for this.
Cervicitis symptoms
The disease can occur in two ways. The first is without symptoms, the second is with the manifestation of certain signs. In most cases, the severity of the clinic depends on the causative agent of the infectious process.
With a mild form of cervicitis, a woman may not notice any symptoms at all. There may be periodic appearance of small vaginal discharge, which is predominantly mucous in nature.
Main features cervicitis of the cervix:
- weak aching;
- pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse;
- rare spotting from the vagina, sometimes mixed with pus;
- cloudy mucous discharge from the vagina, regardless of the menstrual cycle;
- painful menstruation.
With cervicitis of the cervix, there are more pronounced symptoms - bleeding, itching in the genital area, pain or discharge with blood during intercourse, burning during urination. In addition, a woman with cervicitis experiences periodic and uncomfortable sensations in the lower abdomen. If acute cervicitis is severe, then it is possible to observe an increase in body temperature, dizziness, nausea or vomiting.
If a woman has developed gonorrheal cervicitis, the discharge becomes yellow in color; with trichomoniasis, it becomes foamy. The human papillomavirus can cause the formation of condylomas and cervical ulcerations of various sizes.
Treatment of acute cervicitis is carried out using antibiotics. And if the cause of the disease is gonococci, then treatment of both partners will be required. Cervicitis untreated at this stage becomes a protracted chronic process. The discharge becomes cloudy and mucous. In the chronic stage, signs of inflammation (swelling, hyperemia) are less pronounced.
During pregnancy
Cervicitis during pregnancy can turn into a rather serious problem for both the woman and her child. With an infectious course of the disease, there is a high probability of infection of the fetus during childbirth.
It is extremely difficult to treat cervicitis during pregnancy due to the fact that many antibacterial agents negatively affect the fetus. Therefore, it is necessary to cure cervicitis before the start of pregnancy, so that there are no various pathological changes in the fetus.
Chronic cervicitis
If acute cervicitis is not treated properly or not treated at all, after one or two weeks the acute phenomena subside, and the inflammation acquires the features of a chronic process.
Symptoms of chronic cervicitis may include occasional aching pain in the lower abdomen and mucous discharge from the vagina. Chronic infection poses a great danger to a woman’s health, since due to untimely treatment, the walls of the cervix become thicker, which can cause cancer, infertility and dysplasia in the genital area in question.
Purulent cervicitis
This is an inflammatory process in the columnar epithelium, as well as subepithelial damage to the mucous membrane of the cervix and any area that is adjacent to the columnar epithelium.
Its main manifestations:
- profuse (mixed with pus), unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge;
- uterine bleeding not associated with menstruation;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- , malaise (in rare cases).
If a woman has purulent cervicitis, it can almost certainly be said that her partner has urethritis, caused by a similar type of pathogen.
Cervicitis - treatment
First, you should identify the cause of the disease, and then prescribe a comprehensive treatment for cervicitis. To do this, a woman needs to be examined by a gynecologist, tested for sexually transmitted infections, bacterial flora of the vagina, as well as standard blood and urine tests. It is worth noting that if an STI is detected, the sexual partner must also undergo testing.
The treatment regimen is as follows:
- prescribing antibiotics after identifying the pathogen.
- local anti-inflammatory, analgesic therapy.
- restoration of vaginal microflora.
- physiotherapy.
For chlamydial cervicitis, tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline), quinolones, and macrolides (erythromycin) are indicated. For candidal cervicitis, antifungal agents (itraconazole, fluconazole) are used. In the treatment of cervicitis, combined local drugs are widely used.
After the acute stage of the disease subsides, it is possible to use local methods of treating cervicitis. Candles (terzhinan) and creams are good for this. Thus, cervicitis of the cervix requires long-term and thorough treatment so that it does not become chronic and is completely cured.
In rare cases, if a woman’s cervicitis does not go away after a course of antibiotics, cauterization of the inflamed areas is performed.
Preventive measures
Prevention of cervicitis is, first of all, timely treatment of endocrine disorders, prevention of abortions, personal hygiene and exclusion of sexually transmitted infections.