What is it? Cervicitis of the cervix is inflammation of the cervix, if you say it in simple language. But, not so simple - let's consider the issue in detail.
Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the cervix and the mucous plug inside the cervical canal, a protective barrier is formed between the vagina and the inner cavity of the uterus. When certain factors cause inflammation in the cervix, a diagnosis of cervicitis is made.
It is established that such inflammation can be both in the outer( vaginal) segment of the cervix - exocervicitis, and in the inner part of the neck, endocervicitis, facing the uterine cavity. Pathology is most prevalent among women of young and middle age( about 2/3 of cases), somewhat less often the symptoms of cervicitis of the cervix are met in the menopausal period.
Contents
- 1 Causes of cervicitis
- 2 Symptoms of cervical cervicitis
- 3 Treatment of cervical cervicitis
- 4 Cervicitis in pregnancy
Causes of cervicitis
Inflammation of the inner or outer cervical region occurs after infection has penetrated into the mucous membrane. Pathogenic microflora( chlamydia, gonococci, treponema, trichomonads, genital herpes viruses, human papillomavirus) enters the cervix sexually;opportunistic microbes( staphylococci, streptococci, fungi, E. coli) penetrate through blood or lymph from other organs( eg rectum).
Factors that contribute to the occurrence of cervicitis include any diseases and conditions in which general and local( vaginal) resistance decreases:
- urogenital infection with sexual transmission;
- tears of the cervix in labor;
- abortions, uterine cavity scraping;
- early sexual activity, frequent change of partners;
- non-compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene, improper use of tampons, napkins, wearing an intrauterine device beyond the term;
- allergy to contraceptives( on latex, spermicides);
- hormonal imbalance( dysfunction of the ovaries, thyroid gland, pituitary gland);
- autoimmune and rheumatic diseases;
- immunodeficiency after severe infections, against HIV.
In isolated form, cervicitis is extremely rare, often combined with other diseases of the female genitalia: colpitis, pseudo erosions, bartholinitis, etc.
Symptoms of cervical cervicitis
In the course of the course, acute and chronic cervicitis of the cervix is isolated, the degree of lesion is focal and diffuseform. Acute cervicitis is manifested by itching in the vagina, burning with urination, pain in the sacrum and in the lower abdomen, swelling after sexual intercourse.
Vaginal discharge depending on the pathogen can be purulent and abundant( with gonorrheic cervicitis) or meager and inconspicuous( with chlamydia), but almost always accompanied by an unpleasant odor and uncomfortable sensations.
With erased or chronic form of cervicitis, signs and symptoms will be slightly expressed. The nature of the secretions can be cautious - the mucus is more turbid and abundant. There is an increase in the number of vaginal whiteness for several days after menstruation and the appearance of bloody inclusions after sexual intercourse.
Establishing a diagnosis of cervicitis is not difficult - this can be done by any gynecologist after examining the cervix with mirrors and finding areas of altered mucosa with redness, swelling, ulceration, suppurative overlap. A more accurate picture can be seen with colposcopy, when pathological changes are output to a large monitor.
At the next stage of diagnosis it is necessary to find out the cause that led to the development of cervical inflammation. For this, the following studies are carried out:
- smear microscopy;
- pot. Sowing a smear on the flora and sensitivity to antibiotics;
- ELISA and PCR diagnostics for determination of pathogens;
- histological study of cervical biopsy;
- determination of the level of estrogen and progesterone hormones.
Treatment of cervical cervicitis
The choice of cervicitis treatment regimen and the duration of the course can only be performed by a gynecologist, taking into account the form and duration of the disease, the data on the pathogen, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient's health. There are several general steps in the treatment of cervicitis:
1. Elimination of the cause - antibiotics( doxycycline, rovamycin, sumamed, maxachvin), antiviral( acyclovir, antiherpetic immunoglobulin), antifungal agents( fluconazole) are prescribed.
Local treatment is not shown in the acute stage with "bacterial cervicitis" diagnoses: suppositories and ointments do not penetrate into the deep layers of the epithelium, where the main focus of inflammation is located, and can contribute to the upward spread of infection.
Therefore, the drugs are prescribed systemically( in the form of injections, tablets).When revealing a disease with sexual transmission, it is necessary to treat a woman's partner.
2. Surgical removal of the altered mucous cervix( used only for chronic cervicitis) - cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrocoagulation are used.
3. Restoration of the normal flora of the vagina( tampons with antiseptics, candles with lactic acid bacteria).
4. Homogenization of the hormonal background - oral contraceptives are selected, suppositories with estrogens are prescribed.
5. Increased local immunity - magnetotherapy, vaginal mud tampons, electrophoresis.
6. Increase in overall immunity - vitamins, immunomodulators.
Complications of cervical cervix
In the absence of timely treatment of inflammatory disease of the cervix( cervicitis), erosions, cysts and infiltrates occur, tissue is tightened, the infection spreads to the upper parts of the reproductive system.
Against the backdrop of chronic inflammation, dangerous complications can occur in the form of organ damage( ectropion), infertility, malignant tumors, and habitual miscarriage.
Cervicitis during pregnancy
Inflammation of the cervix during pregnancy can be a serious problem for both the future mother and her baby. In the early stages, the frequency of abortion and infection in the amniotic fluid increases, which can lead to impaired fetal development.
For the second half of pregnancy there is a risk of placental insufficiency and premature birth.
During labor activity, the risks of traumatic ruptures of the cervix and infection of the child during passage of the genital tract in women diagnosed with cervicitis of the cervix uteri increase. Treatment during pregnancy is carried out using drugs that are as safe as possible for the fetus( sumamed, ceftriaxone).
In order to avoid the negative effects of cervicitis of the cervix during pregnancy, gynecologists are advised to approach their health responsibly at the planning stage: a woman and her sexual partner should be examined and treated before conception.
