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Introduction
The term Cervicitis refers to the swelling in the areas of the uterus or cervix. This is a common disease among women especially during their adult stage. It is caused by an infection during sexual intercourse.
Epidemiology
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Cervicitis is a very common disease among the woman. It is common at the adult stages of the women.
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Nearly half of the women in the world experience Cervicitis during their adult stages.
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Causes & Risk factors
Causes:
The main cause of Cervicitis is an infection. This infection is transmitted during sexual intercourse. There are certain sexually transmitted diseases that can cause Cervicitis. The common sexually transmitted diseases that cause Cervicitis are:
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Genital herpes which is also known as herpes virus
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Chlamydia
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Genital warts also known as human papilloma virus
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Trichomoniasis
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Gonorrhea
There are other causers of Cervicitis. But these occur in rear cases. They include
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Being in contact with a chemical substance
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A garget that is put in the around the pelvic like:
Pessary-a gadget that supports the uterus
Cervical cap
Diaphragm
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A hypersensitivity to spermicides that are used for birth control or used on latex in condoms.
Risk Factors:
There are a number of risk factors that can lead to Cervicitis. Some of the risk factors include
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Sexual behavior- frequent sexual behavior can easily lead to the condition of Cervicitis
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A background of sexually transmitted diseases- in case you have past experience of sexually transmitted diseases then you have a high risk of contracting Cervicitis.
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Various sexual partners- a person who has more than one sexual partner has a higher risk of getting Cervicitis than a person that has one sexual partner.
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Sexual partners with a background of sexually transmitted diseases or frequent sexual behaviors- it is very easy for that person to get Cervicitis.
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Engagements in early sexual intercourse- people who engage themselves to sexual intercourse at an early age have a high risk of getting Cervicitis.
Bacteria infection can also lead to Cervicitis. Bacterial infections like the streptococcus and staphylococcus can be a cause of Cervicitis. A condition like abnormal growth of ordinary bacteria can also lead to Cervicitis.
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Symptoms and signs
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Experiencing some pains during sexual intercourse- a woman who has Cervicitis will experience some pain in the vagina during sexual intercourse. She will also experience some weight in the areas around the pelvis. This experience should tell you that you are likely affected with Cervicitis.
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Irregular bleeding from the vagina- a woman will experience bleeding during the event of sexual intercourse. This is abnormal especially to women that are not virgins. This should also alarm you of the possibility of getting Cervicitis. Irregular vaginal bleeding after menopause is the other indicator of Cervicitis. A woman can also experience unusual vaginal bleeding in between periods.
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Irregular vaginal discharge-frequent vaginal discharge is another indicator of Cervicitis. This kind of discharge lasts for a longer time than usual. The color of the discharge is also another indicator of Cervicitis. The color of the discharge appears in a grayish, whitish or yellowish color. In some instances, the discharge can produce a bad smell.
Note: some women will not experience any signs of this disease; however it is recommended that in such cases one should go for regular testing. | |
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Diagnosis
When you go for pelvic test, it will show certain things that will reveal the possibilities of Cervicitis. This test will show the following
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Discharges that come out from the cervix.
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Inflammation or swelling of the vaginal walls.
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Cervix will appear to be reddish.
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Investigations
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Tests of the presence of Chlamydia or gonorrhea. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are some of the sexual transmitted diseases that cause Cervicitis. Their presence thus will indicate the high risk of the patient getting Cervicitis.
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Examination of the discharge using a powerful microscope. The examination results may be a possibility of candidiasis, bacterial vaginos or Trichomoniasis.
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Pap smear
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In some rare cases colposcopy and biopsy of the cervix is needed.
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Treatment
It is important to note that this disease can be cured. There are some antibiotics that can be taken to facilitate the healing of some bacterial infections like gonorrhea, Chlamydia and other kinds of bacterial infections. Herpes infection can be treated by taking a drug referred to as antiviral.
For women who have past menopause, hormonal therapy using progesterone and estrogen can be used in them.
There are some instances when these drugs will be given to a patient and after some time Cervicitis will still be experienced in the patient. In that situation, the treatments that will be given t such a patient include
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Freezing or cryosurgery
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Laser therapy
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electrocauterization
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Complications Of Disease
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Cervicitis should not be taken lightly when discovered. It is a disease that can last for some couple of months or even for years.
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It may also lead to severe pains each and every time you participate in sexual intercourse.
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Prognosis
Cervicitis can be cured easily with treatments incase its causer is known and the treatment of such causer is available. | |
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Prevention
As soon as you see the symptoms of Cervicitis, visit or call your personal doctor for possible medication or advice.
There are certain ways that you can follow in order to reduce the high risk of getting Cervicitis. This ways include:
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Make sure that you have sexual intercourse with only one person who has been tested for sexual transmitted diseases and found to be negative.
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Protected sex- make sure that you use a condom each and every time you do sexual intercourse. There are also female condoms that are available for women. However make sure that you have followed all the proper guidelines of using the condom.
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Prevent yourself from the possibilities of having contact with any chemical such as deodorant tampons and douches.
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Be careful when you put any foreign objects in your vagina. Read careful through the instructions provided in order to know the duration that the object needs to stay in the vagina, the number of times to clean it and the number of times to change the object.
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References
Marrazzo J. Cervicitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html.
Biggs WS, Williams RM. Common gynecologic infections. Prim Care. 2009;36:33-51. | |