Cervicitis is an inflammation of the uterine cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
Sometimes it is possible to have cervicitis and not experience any symptoms. Among the symptoms women notice are bleeding between menstrual periods and changes in vaginal discharge.
Often, cervicitis results from a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Cervicitis can develop from noninfectious causes, too. Successful treatment of cervicitis involves treating the underlying cause of the inflammation.
Symptoms
Most often, cervicitis causes no signs and symptoms, and a woman may only learn about the condition after a Pap test or a biopsy for another condition. The signs and symptoms may include:
- Frequent, painful urination,
- Large amounts of vaginal discharge that's green, brown or yellow and pus-like and that sometimes has an unpleasant odor,
- Pain during intercourse,
- Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, not associated with a menstrual period.
Causes
Possible causes of cervicitis include:
- Sexually transmitted infections. The bacterial and viral infections that cause cervicitis are most often transmitted by sexual contact.
- Allergic reactions. An allergy, either to contraceptive spermicides or to latex in condoms, may lead to cervicitis. A reaction to feminine hygiene products, such as douches or feminine deodorants, also can cause cervicitis.
- Bacterial overgrowth. An overgrowth of some of the bacteria that are normally present in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis) can lead to cervicitis.
Risk factors
A woman is at greater risk of cervicitis if she:
- Engages in high-risk sexual behavior, such as unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners or sex with someone who engages in high-risk behaviors,
- Begins having sexual intercourse at an early age,
- Has a history of sexually transmitted infections.
Complications
The cervix acts as a barrier to keep bacteria and viruses from entering the uterus. When the cervix is infected, there is an increased risk that the infection will travel into the uterus.
Cervicitis caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia can spread to the uterine lining and the fallopian tubes, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the female reproductive organs that can cause fertility problems.
Cervicitis can also increase the risk of a woman getting HIV from an infected sexual partner.
Treatment
Treatment may not be necessary for cervicitis caused by something other than a sexually transmitted infection. If the case is that cervicitis is caused by a sexually transmitted infection, both the woman and her partner are likely to need treatment.
Prescription medications can clear up the inflammation of cervicitis. The treatment may include antibiotic medications and antiviral medications.
Repeated testing for cervicitis caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia may be recommend.
Prevention
To reduce the risk of cervicitis from sexually transmitted infections, condoms must be used consistently and correctly during sex. Condoms are very effective against the spread of STIs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, which can lead to cervicitis. A long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner can also lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
