CERVICITIS

What is cervicitis?

Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Most cases of cervicitis are caused by infection with sexually transmitted diseases.

Cervicitis is generally classified as either acute, meaning severe and sudden, or chronic, lasting over a period of months or longer.

Acute cervicitis can be caused by infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes, and is often confused with vaginitis.

Chronic cervicitis is common in women following childbirth. It is also often associated with pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives

Symptoms:

The following are the most common symptoms of cervicitis.

purulent discharge containing pus
pelvic pain
backache
urinary problems
Vaginal discharge that's grayish or yellow, possibly with an odor
Frequent, painful urination
Pain during intercourse
Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between menstrual periods or after menopause

Causes:

The three most common causes of cervicitis are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomonas. All three, are considered sexually transmitted diseases or STDs.

A number of other organisms-including herpes simplex, treptococcus, staphylococcus, enterococcus, and Gardnerella vaginalis can also cause cervicitis.

Other possible causes include:

Allergic reactions.One possible cause is an allergy, either to contraceptive spermicides or to latex in condoms.

Bacterial overgrowth. An overgrowth of bacteria that normally appears in the vagina is another possible cause.

Risk factors:

You're at greater risk of getting cervicitis associated with STDs if you:

Have unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners
Begin having sex at an early age
Have a history of sexually transmitted diseases
You may also be at increased risk if you have sex with a partner who has engaged in high-risk sexual behavior or has had a sexually transmitted disease.

Diagnosis :

A pelvic exam. This may include physical examination and may reveal redness of the cervix and evidence of discharge. When cervicitis is present, the cervix will appear red and swollen
Pap test - This test involves microscopic examination of cells collected from the cervix; used to detect changes that may be cancerous or may lead to cancer, and to show infection or inflammation.
biopsy - a procedure in which tissue samples are removed from the body for examination under a microscope; to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present.
culture of cervical discharge

Complications:

Cervicitis that's caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia can result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the female reproductive organs. Women who develop PID may experience no signs or symptoms. PID may be detected only later, when a woman has trouble becoming pregnant and learns that her reproductive organs have been damaged.

Treatment:

Successful treatment of cervicitis involves addressing the cause of the inflammation. In most cases of cervicitis, antibiotics are used to remove an infection.
Those with cervicitis caused by illness, allergy or infection are likely to make a full recovery when treated with the appropriate medications, or when they change contraceptives.
If the cause is an STD, both you and your partner are likely to be treated, to prevent your becoming reinfected.
Prescription medications often clear up the inflammation of cervicitis. Treatment for a bacterial infection is with an antibiotic. If the cause is viral, the treatment is an antiviral medication.
When cervicitis persists, surgery to remove part of the irritated cervix may be required. Surgery is mostly performed in women who are post-menopausal, since changing the cervix could limit the ability to conceive .

To prevent Cervicitis …

Limit your sexual contacts; practice safe sex and know the history of your partner.
Women who become sexually active at a later age and those in monogamous relationships are at a lower risk of getting cervicitis.
See your doctor immediately if your partner has been diagnosed with urethritis or if he has symptoms of the condition .
Meet your doctor immediately if you notice a vaginal discharge or any kind of lower abdominal pain.
Get yourself examined annually, regardless of whether or not you are experiencing any symptoms.
Treat vaginal infections immediately before they have a chance to spread to your cervix.
Avoid chemical irritants in deodorized tampons, douches, or sprays.