The female reproductive system is very complex and delicate. 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 that occurs 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 intercourse.
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 of inflammation; in this case, the symptoms have some differences. With this reason, condylomas may occur. There is also a high risk of developing cervical ulcers.
In the absence of timely therapeutic measures, the inflammatory process becomes chronic, and the 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 appropriate 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 that can be used to 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 of the 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 used 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, and 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:
- regularly observe 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.
Video on the topic
Cervicitis refers to pathologies of the female genital area of an inflammatory nature. It is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the cervix (vaginal part) and its cervical canal. Very often it accompanies more extensive pathological processes (vulvovaginitis, colpitis), and is rarely an independent disease.
The cervix is a kind of barrier, the task of which is to prevent the spread of infection through the ascending route into the uterus and its appendages. If its protective function is impaired, then pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the upper parts of the woman’s internal genital organs, provoking the development of cervicitis. The woman begins to be bothered by atypical discharge, periodic or constant pain localized in the lower abdomen, which intensifies during sexual intercourse or urination.
note: 7 out of 10 women with cervicitis are of childbearing age, and only 3 are in menopause. This is due to a greater extent to the reasons that provoke it. It is important not to postpone a visit to the gynecologist if alarming symptoms appear, since untreated cervicitis provokes the development of cervical erosion, the formation of polyps on it and other complications.
Possible causes of cervicitis
This inflammatory disease is formed as a result of the following reasons:
Opportunistic microorganisms cause cervicitis by entering the cervix by contact (directly from the rectum), and specific microorganisms (chlamydia, gonococci, trichomonas) by sexual contact. Factors that provoke inflammation in this case are malignant tumors, scars on the cervix, a decrease in the body’s immune forces, and contraceptives.
Important:Cervicitis can be different: atrophic, viral, candidal, chlamydial, purulent, bacterial. That is why treatment must be selected taking into account the pathogen, since different groups of drugs must be included in the therapeutic regimen.
Varieties of cervitis
Cervitis can manifest itself in the form of endocervicitis (inflammation of the vaginal part of the cervix) and exocervicitis (inflammation of the vaginal part), have an acute and chronic form.
Exocervicitis
Exocervitis is an inflammation that develops in the area of the exocervix, that is, the segment of the cervix located in the vagina. In the acute stage, patients complain of mucopurulent discharge and pain in the lower abdomen.
Upon examination, the doctor will find the following signs of exocervicitis:
- eroded surface of the cervix;
- visually noticeable redness in the area of the external opening of the cervical canal;
- microabscesses;
- swelling of the mucous membrane of the neck;
- copious discharge (mucus, pus);
- periglandular infiltrates in the plural.
If the process is chronic, inflammation spreads to deeper connective and muscle tissues, and upon examination, pseudo-erosion can be detected. Secondary infection also occurs, the epithelium on the cervix is torn off, it hypertrophies, becomes denser, and cysts can form on it.
Endocervicitis
Endocervicitis is considered to be the presence of an inflammatory process on the endocervix - the mucous membrane that lines the cervical canal of the cervix from the inside. It is usually caused by specific microorganisms, that is, viruses, bacteria and fungi.
In most cases, endocervicitis is diagnosed in women aged 20 to 40 years. It develops after intrauterine medical procedures and diseases of other female genital organs. This type of cervicitis progresses very quickly and develops into a chronic form with an erased symptom complex. Discharge of various types, pain of varying intensity, and local itching may be observed. During the examination, the gynecologist will notice swelling of the cervix, cherry coloring of the mucous membrane, small erosions in the plural (with purulent plaque sometimes), mucus with pus in the cervical canal.
The potential danger of endocervicitis is complications. They occur when the pathological process spreads along the ascending pathways, which can cause adnexitis, endometritis, etc.
Chronic cervicitis
Cervicitis becomes chronic if its acute phase is not treated.
This condition has the following typical manifestations:
Diagnosis of cervicitis
Taking into account the fact that pathology often does not make itself felt, it is usually detected during the next preventive examination.
Examination of a woman, making and confirming a diagnosis consists of the following mandatory diagnostic points: 
- collecting anamnesis (features of sexual life, number of pregnancies, births, abortions, past illnesses);
- gynecological examination (bimanual and using speculum);
- colposcopy (its task is to clarify the presence and type of pathological changes on the epithelial layer of the cervix);
- laboratory research:
- bacteriological seeding of material (discharge, mucus) to determine the type of pathogen and the level of its sensitivity to a/b;
- cytology smear, which allows you to determine the presence of oncological changes at the cellular level;
- microscopy of secretions to study the bacterial flora, which are taken from three places (urethra, cervical canal, vagina).
As additional studies, if necessary, the gynecologist may prescribe:
- general urine analysis;
- HIV analysis;
- clinical blood test;
- culture for gonococcus;
- RW analysis.
note: Cervicitis has a fairly deep localization. Taking into account the fact that it is most often infectious in nature, it greatly increases the risk of endometritis (inflammation of the uterine mucosa), etc.
Treatment of cervicitis of the cervix
There are general rules for treating cervicitis:
- mandatory unscheduled visit to the urologist by the partner;
- refusal of active sexual life (exclusively for the period of treatment);
- Only condoms are allowed as a contraceptive.
Treatment of cervicitis cervix is based on eliminating its root cause (infection).
Today there are a lot of different and quite effective methods and drugs that are selected based on the causative agent of cervicitis:
- in case of atrophy, estrogens are used;
- chlamydial is treated with such drugs as Sumamed, Doxycycline, Maxaquin;
- herpetic requires taking Acyclovir, vitamins, immunostimulants, antiherpetic immunoglobulin;
- candidiasis implies the prescription of Diflucan;
- Cervicitis due to a virus requires the use of cytostatics, interferon and removal of the condylomas themselves.
Usually, the regimen also includes combined local drugs, such as Terzhinan, and after the acute period has been eliminated, treatment of the cervix with Chlorophyllipt is prescribed. For the fastest regeneration of the epithelium and normalization of natural microflora, Ovestin is used.
Among the methods of physiotherapy, the following procedures are practiced on the uterine area:
- magnetic therapy;
- DMV therapy;
- darsonvalization with a vaginal electrode;
- electrophoresis with magnesium;
Chronic cervicitis is difficult to treat using classical methods, so it is more effective to use the following methods:
- diathermocoagulation;
- cryotherapy;
- laser therapy.
Important: The treatment process for cervicitis should be accompanied by laboratory monitoring and colposcopy to monitor the pathology over time and evaluate the effectiveness of therapy.
Local treatment of cervicitis with suppositories
Suppositories, tablets and cream that are applied locally, that is, topically, also give good results, but provided that they are part of a comprehensive treatment regimen for cervicitis. All of them are divided into several types, and they are prescribed exclusively by a gynecologist after receiving test results.
In particular, cervicitis is treated with suppositories of the following pharmacological groups: 
- antifungal;
A long-term inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the vaginal and supravaginal part of the cervix, which in some cases spreads to its connective tissue and muscle layer. During remission, symptoms are limited to an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge. During exacerbation, the volume of discharge increases, it becomes mucopurulent, and the patient notes pain in the lower abdomen. When making a diagnosis, data from extended colposcopy, bacteriological, serological and cytological tests, and gynecological ultrasound are taken into account. Antibiotics, hormonal drugs, eubiotics, and immune agents are used for treatment.
General information
Diagnostics
Since the clinical manifestations of chronic cervicitis are nonspecific and usually mild, the leading role in diagnosis is played by data from physical, instrumental and laboratory studies. The most informative for making a diagnosis are:
- Inspection on the chair. There is slight swelling of the mucous membrane, the cervix looks thickened and somewhat enlarged. In the area of the exocervix, eroded areas and papillomatous growths are detected.
- Extended colposcopy. Examination under a microscope allows you to clarify the condition of the mucosa and timely identify precancerous changes and malignant degeneration of the epithelium.
- Laboratory etiological studies. A flora smear and culture with an antibiogram are aimed at detecting the pathogen and assessing its sensitivity to etiotropic drugs. Using PCR, RIF, ELISA, you can reliably determine the type of specific infectious agent.
- Cytomorphological diagnostics. When examining a scraping of the cervix, the nature of the changes and the condition of the cells of the exo- and endocervix are assessed. Histology of the biopsy is carried out according to indications for the timely detection of signs of malignancy.
- Etiotropic drug treatment. For infectious genesis of cervicitis, antibacterial and antiviral drugs are used. When selecting an antimicrobial agent, the sensitivity of the pathogen is taken into account. Hormonal drugs (estrogens) are used in the treatment of atrophic cervicitis in women during menopause.
- Restoration of vaginal microflora. After a course of antibiotic therapy, eubiotics are recommended topically (in the form of suppositories, tampons, vaginal irrigations) and orally.
- Adjuvant therapy. To speed up the processes of mucosal regeneration, strengthen the immune system and prevent possible relapses, immunotherapy and herbal medicine, and physiotherapeutic procedures are indicated.
In the presence of retention cysts, radio wave diathermopuncture is prescribed. In cases where conservative treatment is ineffective, or chronic cervicitis is combined with dysplasia, elongation, cicatricial deformation and other diseases of the cervix, surgical techniques are used - cryo- or laser therapy, tracheloplasty, etc.
Prognosis and prevention
The prognosis of the disease is favorable. For timely detection of possible cervical dysplasia, after a course of treatment, the patient must undergo colposcopy twice a year, undergo cytological smears and bacterial cultures. Prevention of chronic cervicitis includes regular examinations by a gynecologist, adequate treatment of inflammatory diseases of the female genital area, and justified prescription of invasive procedures. It is recommended to follow the rules of intimate hygiene, streamline your sex life, use condoms (especially during sexual contacts with unfamiliar partners), and avoid sex during menstruation. To prevent relapses, courses of restorative and immunotherapy, adherence to sleep and rest, and protection from hypothermia in the legs and pelvic area are effective.
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 additional risks contributing to the development of the disease are early onset of sexual activity, having sex with a large number of men, giving birth before the age of 16, smoking, allergies to latex or spermicides, and taking certain hormonal medications.
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. A 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 cause of chronic forms is 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. Frequent causes of atrophic inflammation are 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. The drug azithromycin, called Sumamed, received good reviews, 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 of 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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The most interesting on the topic
Cervicitis is an inflammation localized in the cervical canal. The pathology clinic is determined by the etiology and severity of the process. Symptoms of cervicitis of the cervix may include vaginal discharge (purulent or mucous), pain in the lower abdomen, discomfort or pain during urination and sexual intercourse.
More about pathology
Inflammation of the cervix can lead to such serious complications as erosive changes, hypertrophy, as well as the spread of the infectious process to the overlying parts of the female reproductive system. The cervix is a kind of barrier that should prevent pathogenic microorganisms from entering the uterus. But the effect of certain factors on the cervix can worsen its functionality.
Inflammation of the vaginal portion of the cervix is called exocervicitis, and the inflammation of the cervical canal itself is called endocervicitis. The disease can manifest itself as a result of infection with opportunistic infectious agents, such as:
- staphylococcus;
- streptococcus;
- coli;
- candida fungus.
The following pathogens can also cause the disease:
- chlamydia;
- gonococci;
- Trichomonas;
- pale spirochete;
- mycoplasma;
- amoeba;
- viruses.
Conditional pathogens can enter the cervical epithelium by contact from the rectum; hematogenous and lymphogenous routes of infection are also characteristic. Specific pathogens enter the cervix through sexual contact. 
It is worth noting that gynecology also considers non-infectious causes of cervicitis, namely:
- the effect of aggressive chemicals (products for genital hygiene, spermicides);
- neoplastic pathologies;
- mechanical injury
- a number of systemic diseases (Behcet's syndrome).
There are a number of factors that predispose to the development of cervicitis. These include:
- Injuries to the cervical canal during childbirth.
- Injury to the cervical epithelium during diagnostic curettage and termination of pregnancy.
- Installation and removal of the intrauterine device.
- Cicatricial changes in the cervical canal.
- Neoplasms of a benign nature.
Only in rare cases does cervicitis occur in isolation; more often it is combined with other diseases of the female reproductive system, such as vaginitis, vulvitis, bartholinitis, and pseudo-erosion. Most cases of the pathological process are registered in patients of reproductive age. The disease can provoke miscarriage and premature birth, as well as erosion, polyps and the spread of the inflammatory process to the uterus and appendages.
Drug therapy involves the prescription of antibiotics, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics are prescribed according to the type of pathogen identified and its sensitivity to a particular drug. If a fungal form of pathology is detected, the doctor prescribes antifungal agents (fluconazole for candidiasis). When infected with chlamydia, tetracyclines (monomycin, doxycycline), quinolones (lomefloxacin), macrolides and azalides are needed. In addition to systemic medications, local remedies are also prescribed, including creams, ointments, suppositories, and vaginal tablets.
Inflammation of the cervix of a viral nature is quite difficult to treat therapeutically. It requires complex treatment, which includes antiviral drugs, specific immunoglobulins, immunomodulators and vitamins. If condylomas form, they may need to be removed. Atrophic inflammation is treated with hormonal drugs. Their use helps restore the structure of the epithelium and stabilize the natural flora.
The chronic form of cervicitis may require surgical treatment. These include:
- diathermocoagulation;
- laser therapy;
- cryotherapy.
Any surgical method involves preliminary elimination of the infectious agent.
It is important to note that complex treatment of cervical inflammation involves regular monitoring of effectiveness using laboratory diagnostics and colposcopy.
To prevent the disease, you should follow the rules of hygiene, exclude infection with sexually transmitted infections, prevent abortions, follow the recommendations of the gynecologist when managing pregnancy and childbirth, as well as when treating various pathologies. Neglect of preventive measures, non-compliance with prescriptions, and self-medication can lead to serious consequences.
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