How to treat cervicitis during menopause. Causes, symptoms and how to treat cervicitis? Symptoms of acute inflammation of the cervix

Cervicitis is an inflammatory process in the vaginal segment of the cervix. Cervicitis, the symptoms of which are characterized by purulent or mucous discharge, pain in the lower abdomen (pulling or dull), painful intercourse and urination.

Protracted chronic cervicitis leads to the development of erosion, thickening of the cervix, the spread of infection to the upper parts of the genital apparatus.

In its structure, the cervix serves as a barrier that prevents infection from entering the uterus. Under certain factors, its protective function is violated, which leads to the entry of foreign microflora into this area, thereby contributing to the development of inflammation - cervical cervicitis.

Most often, the disease occurs in women aged 18 to 45 years who live an active sexual life. However, many infected women do not receive the necessary treatment, since the symptoms of cervicitis may be hidden.

The reasons

Why does cervicitis occur, and what is it? In order for a woman to develop this disease, it is necessary to introduce various pathogenic microflora into the genitals: E. coli, streptococci, staphylococci, mycoplasmas and other microorganisms. They are able to enter the cervix through contact routes, through the blood and lymph or from the rectum, a specific microflora is transmitted sexually.

In most cases, cervical cervicitis occurs due to the presence of sexually transmitted vaginal infections:,. Herpetic genital infections can also provoke inflammation of the cervix, or. In addition, mechanical irritants can also accompany the onset of the disease, these are injuries of the cervix after abortion, childbirth, or due to other injuries.

Cervicitis rarely occurs in isolation, usually its development is accompanied by other pathologies of the reproductive system: vaginitis, ectropion, pseudo-erosion of the cervix. In order to avoid complications, you need to think in time about how to treat cervicitis, and what drugs will be required for this.

Cervicitis symptoms

The disease can occur in two ways. The first - without symptoms, the second - with the manifestation of certain signs. In most cases, the severity of the clinic depends on the causative agent of the infectious process.

With a mild form of cervicitis, a woman may not notice any symptoms at all. Perhaps the periodic appearance of small vaginal discharge, which is predominantly mucous in nature.

Main features cervical cervicitis:

  • weak aching;
  • pain or discomfort during intercourse;
  • rare spotting from the vagina, sometimes with an admixture of pus;
  • cloudy mucous discharge from the vagina, regardless of the menstrual cycle;
  • painful menstruation.

With cervicitis of the cervix, there are more pronounced symptoms - bleeding, itching in the genital area, pain or discharge with blood interspersed during intercourse, burning during urination. In addition, in a woman with cervicitis, the presence of periodic and uncomfortable sensations in the lower abdomen is noted. If acute cervicitis has a severe course, then it is possible to observe an increase in body temperature, the appearance of dizziness, nausea or vomiting.

If a woman has developed gonorrheal cervicitis, then the discharge becomes yellow, with trichomoniasis they become foamy. The human papillomavirus can cause genital warts and cervical ulceration of various sizes.

Acute cervicitis is treated with antibiotics. And if gonococci became the cause of the disease, then treatment of both partners will be required. Untreated at this stage, cervicitis turns into a protracted chronic process. The discharge becomes cloudy. In the chronic stage, signs of inflammation (edema, hyperemia) are less pronounced.

During pregnancy

Cervicitis during pregnancy can turn into a rather serious problem for both the woman and her child. With an infectious course of the disease, the likelihood of infection of the fetus during childbirth is high.

It is extremely difficult to treat cervicitis during pregnancy due to the fact that many antibacterial agents adversely affect the fetus. Therefore, it is necessary to cure cervicitis before the onset of pregnancy, so that there are no various pathological changes in the fetus.

Chronic cervicitis

If acute cervicitis is not treated properly or is not treated at all, after one to two weeks, the acute phenomena subside, and the inflammation acquires the features of a chronic process.

Symptoms of chronic cervicitis can be occasional aching pains in the lower abdomen, mucous discharge from the vagina. A chronic infection poses a great danger to a woman's health, because due to untimely treatment, the walls of the cervix become thicker, which can cause cancer, infertility and dysplasia in the genital area in question.

Purulent cervicitis

This is an inflammatory process in the cylindrical epithelium, as well as subepithelial damage to the mucous membrane of the cervix and any area that is adjacent to the cylindrical epithelium.

Its main manifestations:

  • abundant (with an admixture of pus), unpleasantly smelling discharge from the vagina;
  • uterine bleeding not associated with menstruation;
  • lower abdominal pain;
  • , malaise (in rare cases).

If a woman has purulent cervicitis, it can almost certainly be argued that her partner has urethritis caused by a similar type of pathogens.

Cervicitis - treatment

First, you should identify the cause of the disease, and then prescribe a comprehensive treatment for cervicitis. To do this, a woman needs to be examined by a gynecologist, pass an analysis for sexual infections, the bacterial flora of the vagina, as well as standard blood and urine tests. It is worth noting that if an STI is detected, the sexual partner must also be examined.

The treatment regimen is as follows:

  • prescribing antibiotics after the pathogen is identified.
  • local anti-inflammatory, analgesic therapy.
  • restoration of the microflora of the vagina.
  • physiotherapy.

With chlamydial cervicitis, tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline), quinolones, macrolides (erythromycin) are indicated. With candidal cervicitis, antifungal agents (itraconazole, fluconazole) are used. In the treatment of cervicitis, combined local preparations are widely used.

After the acute stage of the disease subsides, it is possible to use local methods of treating cervicitis. Candles (terzhinan) and creams are well suited for this. Thus, cervical cervicitis treatment requires a long and thorough treatment so that it does not become chronic and completely cured.

In rare cases, if a woman's cervicitis does not go away after a course of antibiotics, cauterization of the inflamed areas is performed.

Preventive measures

Prevention of cervicitis is primarily the timely treatment of endocrine disorders, the prevention of abortion, personal hygiene and the exclusion of sexual infections.

Cervicitis - This is an inflammation of the tissues of the vaginal part of the cervix.

The main function of the cervical mucosa is to protect the uterine cavity from pathogenic microorganisms. Cervical mucus consists of immunoglobulins, enzymes and various substances that have an antibacterial effect. The cervix and cervical mucus are a natural filter that protects a woman from adverse environmental conditions. The main reasons for the development of cervicitis include:

  • sexually transmitted infections;
  • violation of the microflora of the vagina;
  • various injuries of the cervical canal, for example, during childbirth, installation of uterine contraceptives, artificial termination of pregnancy;
  • chemical burns of the cervix during douching;
  • hormonal disorders.

Predisposing factors of the disease include earlier onset of sexual activity, promiscuity, early childbirth (before 18 years of age), allergic reactions to latex or condom components, use of hormonal drugs, smoking.

Cervicitis rarely occurs in isolation, most often it is accompanied by other diseases of the genital organs, for example, vulvitis, bartholinitis, vaginitis, ectropion, etc.

There are 2 forms of cervicitis:

  • specific, which is caused by pathogenic microflora (gonococcus, mycoplasma, trichomonas, chlamydia);
  • nonspecific - caused by opportunistic microflora, which under certain conditions leads to the development of cervicitis (streptococci, staphylococci, Escherichia coli, enterococci, fungi of the genus Candida and others).

Depending on the localization of inflammation, exocervicitis and endocervicitis are distinguished. Exocervicitis means inflammation of the vaginal segment of the cervix, in turn, endocervicitis means inflammation of the cervical canal of the cervix.

According to the nature of the course, cervicitis is divided into:

  • spicy. In this case, the inflammatory process lasts less than 6 weeks;
  • chronic, which occurs with periodic exacerbations of the process.

With timely treatment to a specialist, the prognosis of the disease is favorable. In case of untimely seeking help from a doctor or insufficient treatment, acute cervicitis can become chronic, which has certain consequences. In addition, the result of cervicitis may be polyps and erosion of the cervix, inflammation of the upper genital tract. That is why it is recommended to immediately contact a medical institution when the first symptoms of the disease appear, as well as annually undergo preventive gynecological examinations.

Symptoms


Acute cervicitis is manifested by the appearance of copious discharge from the genital tract of a mucous or mucopurulent nature. In addition, pain syndrome may be present in the clinic of the disease. However, dull pain in the lower abdomen is not a permanent symptom of the disease, that is, acute cervicitis can occur without pain.

Chronic cervicitis is characterized by an erased clinical picture. In the chronic form of the disease, there are periodic pains in the lower abdomen, mostly aching in nature, as well as cloudy mucous discharge from the genital tract.

Depending on the type of causative agent of cervicitis, the clinic of the disease may vary slightly. So, for example, cervicitis, caused by a gonorrheal infection, proceeds acutely and rapidly, the symptoms are pronounced, often with pain. With chlamydial infection, the symptoms of the disease are less pronounced, which is why patients do not seek help from a specialist for quite a long time.

Diagnostics


A gynecologist can diagnose cervicitis not only when a patient presents with characteristic complaints, but also during a preventive examination, when the patient was not bothered by anything.

The examination begins with an examination of the cervix using a speculum. Depending on the causative agent of the disease, the cervix has the following appearance:

  • with cervicitis of gonorrheal etiology, the vaginal part of the cervix has a bright red color, it is swollen, loose, with areas of ulceration (a symptom of "solid erosion");
  • with cervicitis caused by Trichomonas, the cervix is ​​hyperemic, edematous, loose, small hemorrhages are detected (“strawberry cervix”);
  • with chlamydial infection, which can also cause the development of cervicitis, the mucous membrane of the vaginal part of the cervix is ​​slightly hyperemic, edematous.

Next, colposcopy is performed - a diagnostic method that allows you to assess the condition of the mucous membrane of the vaginal part of the cervix using a special optical device (colposcope). In the course of this study, the nature of the pathological changes in the cervix is ​​clarified. In addition, colposcopy allows you to determine the location of the pathological focus, which is necessary for targeted biopsy of the cervix. There are 2 types of colposcopy:

  1. A simple colposcopy, during which the cervix is ​​examined with a colposcope without medical tests.
  2. Extended colposcopy, in which the cervical mucosa is pre-treated with a 3% solution of acetic acid (or 0.5% salicylic acid solution) and Lugol's aqueous solution (the so-called Schiller test), after which the cervix is ​​examined using a colposcope .

The procedure is absolutely painless and does not require any preparation on the part of the patient. It is believed that colposcopy must be performed only if any changes in the cervical mucosa are detected during examination with a gynecological speculum. However, it is currently recommended to perform this study for women who are sexually active at least once a year for prophylactic purposes.

Next, a smear is taken from the cervical canal, which is sent for microscopic and bacteriological examination. Microscopic examination allows you to determine the number and ratio of normal, pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, as well as cellular elements, which allows us to conclude that there is an inflammatory process, its severity and the nature of the microflora that inhabits the vaginal part of the cervix. In acute cervicitis, a large number of leukocytes (30 or more), lymphocytes and pathogenic microorganisms are found. Bacteriological examination allows to identify the type of pathogen that caused the development of cervicitis, as well as to determine the sensitivity of the microorganism to a spectrum of antibiotics, which will help in choosing a specific antibiotic for treatment. It is far from always possible to identify the causative agent of the disease using a bacteriological examination of a smear; in such cases, PCR diagnostics are performed. This, of course, is a fairly powerful and effective modern diagnostic method that allows you to quickly and accurately determine the causative agent of an infectious disease. It is also worth noting that PCR diagnostics has a high specificity and sensitivity. Due to the numerous advantages of this diagnostic method, an existing disease in a person can be detected even at the stage of the incubation period, when there are no clinical and laboratory signs of the disease yet.

Treatment


Treatment of cervicitis is aimed at eliminating the cause and predisposing factors to the onset of the disease. For this, antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal drugs are prescribed, depending on the causative agent of the disease.

Local treatment is carried out only after the acute process of the disease subsides. It includes douching, the introduction of vaginal creams, suppositories, treatment of the cervix with a 3% solution of dimethyl sulfoxide, a solution of silver nitrate. It is important to emphasize that the use of local therapy in the acute period of cervicitis is strictly prohibited due to the risk of developing an ascending infection.

Physiotherapeutic treatment is also used, which is prescribed after the relief of the acute period of the disease. For example, vaginal laser therapy, magnetotherapy, darsonvalization, and the like can be used.

Chronic cervicitis is poorly amenable to drug treatment. Therefore, the following surgical treatment options are used:

  • diathermocoagulation is a method of treatment, the action of which is to cauterize tissues with high-frequency current;
  • cryotherapy is a method of treatment based on exposure of tissues to cold;
  • laser therapy is a method of treatment based on the effect on tissues with a concentrated beam of light.

Preventive measures aimed at preventing the development of cervicitis include personal hygiene, avoidance of sexually transmitted infections, their timely treatment, and treatment of endocrine disorders. An important condition for the prevention of cervicitis is the timely treatment of thrush.

Medications


The appointment of antibacterial drugs is necessary for bacterial etiology of cervicitis. The following groups of antibiotics are used:

  1. Tetracyclines. One of the representatives of this group of antibacterial agents is doxycycline, which is active against both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. Contraindicated in children under 8 years of age, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with liver failure, as well as myasthenia gravis (in the case of intravenous administration of the drug).
  2. Macrolides. The most common representative of macrolides is azithromycin. This antibiotic has a wide spectrum of antibacterial action, which allows it to be used in case of damage to various gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms. The mechanism of action of the drug is to slow down the growth and reproduction of bacteria. Azithromycin is well tolerated, rarely side effects occur while taking the drug, it is contraindicated only if the patient has an allergic reaction to any of the components of the drug, pregnancy and lactation, as well as children under 12 years of age.
  3. Fluoroquinolones:
    • moxifloxacin. It has a bactericidal effect that extends to a wide range of microorganisms. The drug is well tolerated among representatives of different ages. If necessary, it is allowed to prescribe to pregnant women, since during the study on animals a teratogenic effect was not detected, which means the occurrence of malformations due to the use of the drug. It is worth refraining from using children under 18 years of age, since clinical trials of the drug have not been conducted, indicating the safety of using moxifloxacin in childhood;
    • levofloxacin. The drug has a bactericidal effect, is active against both gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms. Levofloxacin is well tolerated, the following adverse reactions rarely occur: nausea, diarrhea, discomfort in the epigastric region (upper abdomen), muscle weakness.

Antiviral drugs are used, for example, for herpes infections. In this case, acyclovir is often prescribed. The dosage of the drug and the frequency of administration is determined by the attending physician, based on the severity of the process and the severity of clinical manifestations. Adverse reactions while taking the drug are rare. The most common are abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. The detection of an allergic reaction is an indication for discontinuation of the drug. While taking acyclovir, it is recommended to monitor kidney function, that is, to monitor changes in the biochemical blood test of indicators such as creatinine and urea.

In case of detection of candidal cervicitis, antifungal drugs are prescribed. The most common drug in this group is fluconazole. Tolerability of this drug is very good, side effects are extremely rare. Of the adverse reactions, the most common are abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, dryness of the oral mucosa, stool disorder in the form of constipation.

Folk remedies


Treatment of cervicitis should be done by a specialist in this field of medicine. Self-medication at home is not welcome, since the lack of timely qualified treatment of acute cervicitis can lead to a chronic course of the process.

As you know, in some cases, cervicitis has an erased clinical picture, which is why a woman does not seek help from a specialist in a timely manner. To avoid such situations, it is recommended not to forget about preventive examinations by a gynecologist, which should be carried out at least 2 times a year. In addition, it is important to observe the rules of personal hygiene in order to eliminate the appearance of favorable conditions for infection. Not a small role in the possibility of developing cervicitis is played by the number of sexual partners in a woman. Therefore, the number of sexual partners should be limited, as well as casual sex should be excluded. To prevent the occurrence of a sexually transmitted infection, it is necessary to use a barrier method of contraception (condom) during intercourse. If this method of protection is neglected, it is strongly recommended to be examined for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, especially if there is no permanent sexual partner. In addition, it is necessary to promptly treat infectious and inflammatory diseases of the internal genital organs, as well as prevent yourself from provoking factors leading to exacerbation of chronic diseases. To do this, avoid hypothermia, various injuries, psycho-emotional stress. It is also important to take care of your diet, special attention should be paid to the use of vegetables and fruits that are rich in various vitamins and minerals, dairy products, cereals. Particular attention is paid to the regime of sleep and rest, the observance of which allows you to strengthen the general condition of the body.

The information is for reference only and is not a guide to action. Do not self-medicate. At the first symptoms of the disease, consult a doctor.

Chronic cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix caused by bacterial, viral or fungal infections. The disease can develop against the background of the prolapse of the uterus or the walls of the vagina, while the inflammatory process is dangerous with the possibility of complications, therefore, when its symptoms appear, a woman should consult a gynecologist.

Causes of chronic cervicitis

The cervical canal of the cervix becomes inflamed under the influence of the following reasons:

Main symptoms

Chronic cervicitis of an inactive form does not have pronounced symptoms. There are signs that are not considered typical for this disease. Scars form on the cervix, its tissues grow, scant mucous discharge from the vagina appears. Often found benign neoplasms and erosion in the cervical canal.

The clinical picture of chronic active cervicitis includes the following symptoms:

Diagnosis of the disease

Chronic cervicitis is detected using:

Features of treatment

The chronic form of the disease can be cured in various ways. The most frequently prescribed:

Complications

In the absence of treatment or its improper conduct, the chronic form of cervicitis can be complicated by:

The chronic course of the inflammatory process is dangerous by increasing the risk of oncological diseases. Changes in the composition of the mucus present in the cervical canal may contribute to the development of infertility.

Prevention

Regular gynecological examinations, timely elimination of infectious diseases of the genitourinary system, and competent surgical interventions help prevent chronic cervicitis.

It is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene, exclude casual sexual contacts, use barrier contraceptives, and refrain from sexual intercourse during menstruation. Prevention of exacerbations includes strengthening the immune system, protection against hypothermia, organizing an optimal regime of work and rest.

Most women face inflammatory diseases of the genital organs. The structural features of the female reproductive system are such that the infection quickly spreads from the vagina to the internal genital organs. Cervicitis turns into inflammation of the endometrium and ovaries. Often the consequences are pregnancy complications or even infertility. Chronic inflammation causes precancerous disease. It is important to strengthen the immune system, use contraception wisely, and be regularly examined by a doctor in order to protect yourself from such dangers.

The epithelium of the cervical canal (endocervix), which connects the uterine cavity with the vagina, differs in structure from the epithelium lining that part of the cervix that is located directly in the vagina (exocervix). Depending on in which part of the cervix inflammation occurs, there are, respectively, endocervicitis and exocervicitis.

The age of women who have cervical cervicitis is found in 70% of cases is 20-40 years, and only 30% of women are those who have menopause.

The disease must be treated without fail, since when it becomes chronic, the walls of the uterus thicken and the lumen of the cervical canal narrows. This can lead to infertility. The spread of inflammation in the tubes and ovaries also leads to the impossibility of conception, the occurrence of an ectopic pregnancy, and hormonal disorders.

The danger of cervicitis in pregnant women

Cervicitis is associated with the destruction of the mucous plug that protects the uterus from infection from the vagina. The likelihood of the disease and the transition of the inflammatory process into a chronic form increases due to the inevitable decrease in immunity during this period (this prevents fetal rejection).

In the presence of cervicitis in pregnant women, the risk of complications such as miscarriage and premature birth increases. Possible infection of the fetus, which leads to abnormal development, the appearance of deformities, intrauterine death, death of the newborn in the first months of life.

Cervicitis poses a great threat in the early stages of pregnancy, when organs and systems are formed in the fetus. Most often, a woman has a miscarriage. If acute cervicitis occurs in the middle or end of pregnancy, the child may develop hydrocephalus, kidney disease and other organs. Therefore, when planning a pregnancy, a woman should be cured of cervicitis in advance, strengthen her immune system. Treatment is mandatory, as the risk of complications is very high.

Video: Danger of genital infections during pregnancy

Causes of cervicitis

The inflammatory process in the cervix may be of an infectious nature or occur for reasons not related to the penetration of microbes and viruses.

Infectious causes of infection

The cervix separates the sterile uterine cavity from the vagina, the microflora of which normally contains beneficial lactobacilli and opportunistic microorganisms. Beneficial lactic acid bacteria create a healthy environment that prevents the reproduction of pathogens. The causes of cervicitis of infectious origin are:

  1. Reproduction of opportunistic bacteria. Opportunistic pathogens are microorganisms that are always present in the intestines and urogenital organs of a person in small quantities, without causing harm. But under certain conditions, they begin to multiply uncontrollably, which leads to disease. These include, for example, staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli, fungi, gardnerella. They cause inflammation of the vulva and vagina, spreading to the cervix. The infection can enter the vagina directly from the rectum and urinary organs.
  2. Infection with human papillomaviruses and genital herpes.
  3. Infection with sexual infections (Trichomonas, pathogens of gonorrhea, mycoplasmas, chlamydia and others).

Non-infectious causes of cervicitis

These reasons include:

  • prolapse of the cervix and vagina;
  • cervical injuries (ruptures during childbirth or during abortions, as well as damage during curettage and cauterization, causing scarring);
  • non-compliance with hygiene rules, use of unsuitable hygiene products;
  • frequent douching with solutions that cause overdrying of the mucosa and disruption of microflora;
  • changes in the composition of the mucosa when using hormonal replacement therapy drugs or contraceptives;
  • pseudo-erosion of the cervix, that is, the movement of cells of the cylindrical epithelium of the cervical canal into the area of ​​the squamous epithelium of the vaginal part of the cervix. This happens during abortion, childbirth or surgery.

Contributes to the occurrence of inflammation of the cervix, reduced immunity, the presence of tumor diseases, uncontrolled use of antibiotics.

Video: Diagnosis and treatment of cervicitis

Types and forms of cervicitis

There are different types of cervical cervicitis.

Purulent cervicitis. Sources of inflammation are gonococci, ureaplasmas, trachoma sticks. The infection is sexually transmitted, affects the mucous membrane of the cervical canal (cylindrical epithelium). If there is a displacement of cylindrical cells into the area of ​​​​squamous epithelium (ectopia of the cervix appears), then the purulent process also spreads to the displaced areas. The process can also affect the stroma, which separates the mucosa from the muscles. The infection enters other organs of the small pelvis and becomes the cause of their inflammation.

Viral cervicitis. Inflammation is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) or the causative agent of genital herpes (specific infections). Papillomas or herpes can occur both inside the cervical canal and on the vaginal surface of the cervix. A characteristic symptom is severe itching in the neck and pain in the lower abdomen. Most often, this type of cervicitis occurs in women of childbearing age who are sexually active.

bacterial cervicitis. The process of inflammation extends to all parts of the mucous membrane of the cervix: both internal and its vaginal segment. The reason is bacterial vaginosis, that is, the development of opportunistic bacteria in the vagina due to a lack of beneficial lactic acid bacteria in the microflora. With this disease, there is no danger of infection of the sexual partner. However, if a sexual infection also enters the vagina, the disease becomes purulent.

Atrophic cervicitis. This is the name of a type of disease in which there is a decrease in the thickness of the mucous membranes of the cervix (atrophy). The causes of such a process can be both specific (gonococcus, Trichomonas, herpes virus and HPV), and non-specific infections (staphylococci, streptococci).

In addition, this type of cervicitis occurs due to traumatic lesions of the mucosa during an abortion or curettage.

Cystic cervicitis. There is inflammation of the glands located in the cylindrical epithelium, an increase in its volume, the formation of many cysts in the mucosa and damage to its surface. This type is an advanced stage of the disease, in which a combination of various types of infection is observed.

The disease often proceeds in an acute form with pronounced symptoms. If left untreated, the inflammation becomes chronic, passes to the glands and affects the mucosa in depth. At the same time, treatment is hampered by the fact that the external signs of the disease are smoothed out, it is more difficult to diagnose cervicitis. Often it can be detected only at a late stage, when the inflammation passes to the uterine appendages.

Symptoms and signs of cervicitis

In some cases, even acute cervicitis is difficult to notice, as it occurs without pain or other obvious symptoms. However, in severe form, acute inflammation can cause a profuse, purulent discharge with an unpleasant odor. There are pulling pains in the lower abdomen, in the lower back. There are discharges with blood impurities, especially after intercourse, which also becomes painful. Itching is felt in the genitals. An increase in body temperature, nausea and dizziness are possible. There is frequent painful urination.

Signs of the disease in the acute stage are swelling and redness of the mucosa on the surface of the vaginal segment of the cervix. Examination reveals a protrusion of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal into the outer region. It has small hemorrhages and sores.

With the transition of the disease into a chronic form, the discharge becomes less abundant, since the production of mucus by the glands of the cervical canal is disrupted. Muddy discharge contains impurities of blood. The woman feels a constant aching pain in the lower back.

The degree of manifestation of the disease depends on the type of infection. When infected with gonococci, the manifestations, for example, are stronger than with chlamydia. If the occurrence of cervicitis is associated with the herpes virus, then on the mucosa there are separate sores, loose areas of bright red color.

In the presence of chronic cervicitis, mucosal edema decreases. It is possible to move the outer epithelium of the cervix into the cervical canal. The color of the mucosa is bright pink. Cysts and vesicles containing lymph and blood are found. Inflammation spreads to neighboring tissues.

Diagnosis of cervicitis

Since there may be no obvious symptoms of cervical cervicitis, regular visits to the doctor for preventive purposes are of great importance for the timely detection and diagnosis of this disease.

The following methods are used for examination:

  1. Examination of the cervix with the help of mirrors. At the same time, a change in the color of the vaginal segment of the cervix, the presence of purulent plaque, hemorrhages, ulcers, and the appearance of edema are noticed.
  2. Analyzes of a smear from the cervix for examination under a microscope and the detection of infectious agents in it.
  3. Bacteriological culture of the contents of the smear, which allows you to determine the type of microbes and sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.
  4. PCR and ELISA. These methods of smear examination can determine the presence of pathogens of specific infections and estimate their number.
  5. Colposcopy. Through optical magnification and illumination of the vagina and cervical canal with the help of a colposcope, the condition of the mucous membranes is studied.
  6. Laboratory analysis of a smear for the content of leukocytes, erythrocytes and lymphocytes allows you to assess the degree of inflammation of a non-infectious nature.

In the chronic stage of cervicitis, destroyed epithelial cells are found in the smear. Additionally, general blood and smear tests for leukocytes, as well as an HIV test, are carried out.

Video: In what cases are different smear tests used

Treatment of cervicitis

Treatment of cervicitis is to eliminate the causes of the disease, fight inflammation and strengthen the body's defenses.

Antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal drugs are used to destroy pathogens. When a papilloma virus is detected in a woman's body, special attention is paid to treatment, since damage to the genital organs with an increased probability can lead to the formation of malignant tumors. First of all, immunomodulating drugs (interferon, cycloferon, immunal) are prescribed.

Vaccines, tablets and ointments are used to clear the mucosa from papillomas. However, there is a risk of recurrence, so a woman is recommended to undergo regular gynecological examinations.

Often, papillomas can only be removed surgically. Such treatment is often used to eliminate chronic cervicitis of any nature. Methods such as laser destruction, cryotherapy, chemical cauterization, electrical destruction, radio wave coagulation are used.

Sometimes the treatment of cervicitis requires the simultaneous elimination of urological diseases.

Note: If the cause of inflammation of the mucosa is sexual infections, then the woman's sexual partner should be treated at the same time.

In order to accelerate the recovery of the mucosa and improve the hormonal background, estrogen and progesterone preparations are used.

After the inflammation is eliminated, agents containing beneficial bacteria are prescribed that are necessary to maintain the normal composition of the vaginal microflora. Candles are used lactobacterin, kipferon, as well as gynoflor vaginal tablets.

Video: Diseases of the cervix in the presence of the human papillomavirus. Methods of treatment of the cervix

Prevention of cervicitis

The most important preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of cervicitis are proper hygienic care of the external genital organs, the use of condoms during sexual intercourse. Properly selected contraceptives help to avoid abortions, possible injury to the cervix and infection. It is necessary to treat intestinal and urological diseases in time.


Have questions?

Report a typo

Text to be sent to our editors: