What is Cervicitis?
The cervix is a small, circular organ that sits at the top of the vaginal canal and forms the opening to the uterus. Cervicitis is a quite common condition that is described as an inflammation of the cervix.
Cervicitis is a quite common condition that is described as an inflammation of the cervix (the small, circular organ that sits at the top of the vaginal canal and forms the opening to the uterus).
What are the causes of cervicitis?
Cervicitis can be caused by an allergy, infection, physical irritation, or injury to the cervix. If you’re experiencing symptoms of cervicitis, it’s important to have your condition evaluated by our doctor to determine the cause. If your cervicitis is caused by an infection or sexually transmitted disease (STD), it has to be caught and treated quickly.
An infection can rapidly spread to other organs, such as your uterus or fallopian tubes. This can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility and peritonitis, a life-threatening infection.
If you are already pregnant, an infection can increase the risk of complications for you and your baby.
Sexually transmitted infections are a common cause of cervicitis, including:
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Gonorrhea
- Genital herpes
- Herpes simplex virus
- Mycoplasma genitalium and ureaplasma bacteria
- Trichomoniasis
What are the risk factors for cervicitis?
While an infection usually causes acute cervicitis, chronic cervicitis is more likely from a noninfectious cause, including:
- Injury from objects inserted into the vaginal canal, such as tampons, diaphragms, IUDs, cervical caps, or pessaries.
- Chemical allergies, such as to latex condoms, spermicides, or
- Low estrogen or high progesterone levels are caused by menopause or an endocrine disorder.
- Bacterial vaginosis is a condition in which there is an unhealthy balance of normal and harmful bacteria in the vagina.
- Some cancers or cancer treatments.
It has been predicted that more than half of all adult women will have cervicitis at some point in their lives. Women who engage in high-risk sexual behaviors and have multiple partners are at a higher risk for cervicitis.
What are the symptoms of cervicitis?
A reddened and swollen cervix characterizes Cervicitis. The cervix may bleed easily or secrete pus or mucus. In many cases, women with cervicitis experience no outward symptoms, but some common symptoms that you may experience include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods, especially after sex
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Pelvic pain
- Abdominal pain
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Frequent, difficult, or painful urination
How is cervicitis diagnosed?
Cervicitis is usually diagnosed with a pelvic exam. Our OB/GYN will gently probe the cervix with a cotton swab to check for bleeding, swelling, or tenderness. Your vaginal fluids can be tested for a bacterial infection.
Dr. Aliabadi will also discuss your recent sexual history and may ask for the number of partners you’ve been with over the past few months. You may also be asked whether or not you used condoms or other forms of contraception (spermicides, diaphragm, etc). This will help to narrow down the cause of your cervicitis.
What is the treatment for cervicitis?
If an infection doesn’t cause your cervicitis, you may not require medical treatment. The problem often resolves itself on its own.
However, if an STI causes it, you will want to treat the underlying condition immediately. The most important thing is to eradicate the infection from your body and ensure it doesn’t spread.
STIs associated with cervicitis can usually be treated with oral drugs or topical creams, such as antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals (depending on the infection).
Your sexual partner(s) should also be treated right away to avoid reinfection.
You should avoid douching or using any yogurt-based therapy while you have cervicitis. These treatments are not effective and may aggravate the condition.
You should refrain from sexual activity until the infection has been completely cleared by both yourself and your sex partners.
A follow-up appointment is recommended to avoid the recurrence of the infection.
HIV and Cervicitis
If you or your partner is HIV positive, treatment for cervicitis is extremely important. Your inflamed cervix allows even more of the virus to transfer from the bloodstream to the bloodstream (your body to your partner’s and vice versa), increasing the chances of transmitting the infection. Contact a healthcare provider right away.
Have questions about your health? Talk to Dr. Aliabadi
Dr. Aliabadi and her compassionate gynecologic team are women’s healthcare experts. When treated by Dr. Aliabadi, you’re guaranteed to feel safe, heard, and well cared for.
We invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please make an appointment online or call us at (844) 863-6700.
The practice of Dr. Thais Aliabadi and the Outpatient Hysterectomy Center is conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. We are near Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.
Yes, HPV can cause cervicitis. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and is known primarily for its role in causing cervical cancer and genital warts. However, it can also lead to inflammation of the cervix.
Mucopurulent cervicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the cervix that leads to the production of a thick, pus-like discharge. This discharge is often yellow or greenish in color and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as vaginal irritation, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between periods.
The condition is usually caused by (STIs), most commonly chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Chronic cervicitis with squamous metaplasia is a condition involving long-term inflammation of the cervix, which leads to a change in the type of cells that line the cervix.
Normally, the cervix is lined with columnar epithelial cells, but in squamous metaplasia, these cells transform into squamous epithelial cells, which are flatter and more resistant to irritation.
Squamous metaplasia itself is not harmful and is considered a benign (non-cancerous) condition. However, it’s important to address the underlying cause of the chronic inflammation to prevent further complications.
Sources:
Urethritis and Cervicitis – STI Treatment Guidelines, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 2022
https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/urethritis-and-cervicitis.htm.
Cervicitis, Iqbal U, Wills C. Cervicitis, September 2023
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562193/
