Inflamed Cervix

What is an Inflamed Cervix?

An inflamed cervix is also known as Cervicitis, which is considered a common infection of the bottommost genital tract. The cervix is located at the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. This is where the blood departs from the uterus during menstruation.

Like any other tissues found in the body, the cervix can be inflamed for a number of reasons like for example; when a women is in labor, the cervix enlarges to let the baby pass through the birth canal. Based on the studies and research of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, cervicitis can affect more than half of the women population at some point in their adult lives.

There can be many causes and risk factors from this condition and it may involve irritations and infections. An inflamed cervix is mainly divided into two; chronic and acute. Chronic cervicitis tends to last up to a couple of months while acute cervicitis involves an unforeseen commencement of symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of an Inflamed Cervix?

In the lightest form of cervicitis, a number of women do not develop any symptoms and the condition can be confirmed through a test or a routine exam. Often when the cervicitis makes progress, the cervix can become really swollen. Other cases, it can advance into an open sore.

If there are symptoms present, these include:

The first symptom is usually a vaginal discharge which is pale yellow or greyish in color that will be very noticeable after a menstrual period
Intense itchiness
Abnormal bleeding of the vagina that sometimes occur after a sexual intercourse or between menstrual periods
Repeated urination that is usually gruelling and painful
Pain during a sexual intercourse
A twinge in the abdomen or lower
Backaches that’s often felt during sex
Pelvic pain or pressure or fever if the infection spreads to other organs which is rare

What Causes the Cervix to be inflamed?

The most typical cause of an inflamed cervix is an infection. Although infections can be caused by sexual activities, it is not always the source, but infections that are gained during sex are; trichomoniasis, human papillomavirus, herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. For women who are not positive for any infection, causes of cervicitis may include:

If the woman has plenty of sexual partners
A history of diseases that had been transmitted through sexual intercourse
Engaging into sexual activities at a very young age
If progesterone or estrogen hormones are somewhat imbalanced, the body’s capacity to retain a healthy cervical tissue may be interfered
Allergies to certain contraceptives or a cervical cap
Bacterial imbalance which is also known as bacterial vaginosis
Chemicals can possibly cause cervicitis from tampons or in douches, birth control devices, and contraceptives which triggered the irritation
Cancer treatments like radiotherapy or cancer itself although uncommon, can sometimes cause changes to the cervix which may lead to cervicitis

What are the Treatments for an Inflamed Cervix?

As long as the inflamed cervix is not caused by an infection acquired during a sexual intercourse, the person may not need any treatments at all. However, if an infection is present, the primary goal is to get rid of the infection and stop it from scattering to the fallopian tubes and uterus, or to the baby if the woman happens to be pregnant.

The treatment will vary and the physician will first calculate the overall medical history, health status, and as to how worse the inflammation is or the symptoms present.

Treatments include:

Antibiotics for the elimination of infections
Antiviral medications for genital herpes
Antifungal medications
For worst cases, cryosurgery is advised when the cervical cells are damaged

If the woman’s partner is infected, the physician will recommend for him to be treated as well so that there won’t be a repeat of the infection and no sexual intercourse should be done unless the treatment is completed. If symptoms are still there despite the treatment, a re-evaluation by the physician is a must.

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References:

http://www.healthline.com/health/cervicitis#Overview1
Mitchell, Richard Sheppard; Kumar, Vinay; Robbins, Stanley L.; Abbas, Abul K.; Fausto, Nelson (2007). Robbins basic pathology (8th ed.). Saunders/Elsevier. pp. 716–8.
http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/cervicitis
Workowski KA, Berman SM (August 2006). “Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006”. MMWR Recomm Rep 55 (RR–11): 1–94.Inflamed cervix ; Overview, Causes, Symptoms, When to Seek Medical Care Questions to Ask the Doctor, Diagnosis, Treatment, Surgery, Next Steps, Follow-up, Prevention, Prognosis at http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cervicitis/article_em.htm#cervicitis_overview
Lis, R.; Rowhani-Rahbar, A.; Manhart, L. E. (2015). “Mycoplasma genitalium Infection and Female Reproductive Tract Disease: A Meta-Analysis”. Clinical Infectious Diseases. doi:10.1093/cid/civ312.