Cervicitis is inflammation of the cervix, which is the lowest and narrowest part of the uterus that connects to the vagina, also called the cervix, causing symptoms such as vaginal discharge, bleeding outside the menstrual period, redness in the genital region, pain when urinating or pain during intimate contact.
Cervicitis can be caused by sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, or arise due to mechanical irritations, such as the use of pessaries, tampons or diaphragms, or even allergies to intimate hygiene products, spermicides or condom latex.
In the presence of symptoms of cervicitis, it is important to consult a gynecologist to confirm the diagnosis and initiate the most appropriate treatment, which normally involves the use of antibiotics.
Symptoms of cervicitis
The main symptoms of cervicitis are:
- Vaginal discharge, which may be yellowish or grayish;
- Discharge with pus and/or mucus;
- Pain during intimate contact;
- Bleeding after intimate contact;
- Bleeding outside the menstrual period;
- Frequent urge to urinate;
- Pain or burning when urinating;
- Redness in the genital region;
- Burning sensation or discomfort in the genital region.
Furthermore, when cervicitis affects higher parts of the genital tract, such as the uterus, endometrium, ovaries, fallopian tube or even bladder, high fever, abdominal pain or increased cervical sensitivity may occur.
Typically, the symptoms of cervicitis caused by a sexually transmitted infection are more intense, causing a lot of discomfort.
Online symptom test
If you think you may have cervicitis, select what you are feeling to find out what the chances are that you actually have cervicitis:
The symptom test is only a guidance tool and does not serve as a diagnosis or replace a consultation with a gynecologist.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of cervicitis must be made by the gynecologist initially based on the evaluation of symptoms, health history, sexual history, including number of partners, type of contraception used, and STI prevention methods, in addition to the history of previous sexually transmitted infections. .
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor must perform a gynecological examination and a Pap smear, which evaluates the presence of changes in the cervix. Understand how the Pap smear is done.
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Furthermore, during the Pap smear, the gynecologist can collect a small sample of vaginal or endocervical fluid or request a urine test, to be analyzed in the laboratory, using the NAAT test, which is capable of identifying microorganisms such as Neisseria gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis or Mycoplasma genitalium. See the main tests requested by the gynecologist.
Possible causes
Cervicitis is caused by inflammation of the cervix due to infections, physical trauma or irritants, resulting in the symptoms.
The main causes of cervicitis are:
- Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, Mycoplasma genitalium or simple herpes;
- Bacterial vaginosis;
- Use of a tampon, diaphragm or pessary;
- Cirurgical instruments;
- Allergies to latex condoms, intimate hygiene products, spermicide or intimate gel;
- Vaginal douches;
- Systemic inflammatory diseases, such as lichen planus and Behçet’s syndrome;
- Hormonal imbalance, especially when a woman has low levels of estrogen and a high amount of progesterone.
Furthermore, and although it is rarer, cervicitis can also be one of the initial signs of cervical cancer and, therefore, it is very important to go to the gynecologist for at least 1 pap smear per year to identify if there are any changes, such as cervicitis, which may be a sign of cancer. See the main symptoms that may indicate cervical cancer.
If the irritation in the cervix is constant, due to trauma or irritating agents, the inflammation can become chronic, with symptoms of persistent vaginal discharge for three months or more, being called chronic cervicitis. Understand what it is and the causes of chronic cervicitis.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of cervicitis must be carried out under the guidance of a gynecologist and normally involves the use of antimicrobials, such as azithromycin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone or metronidazole, for example, depending on the type of microorganism that caused the inflammation of the cervix.
Furthermore, if the cervicitis was caused by the Herpes simplexthe doctor may recommend treatment with antivirals, such as acyclovir, for example.
In some cases, your doctor may also recommend the use of vaginal creams.
During treatment, it is recommended that the woman does not have intimate contact and her partner must also be treated. See more details on the treatment for cervicitis.
Possible complications
When cervicitis is not treated properly, the infection can spread to the upper genital tract and affect the uterus, bladder, endometrium, ovaries and fallopian tube, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Understand what pelvic inflammatory disease is.
As a consequence of PID, abscess formation, chronic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility can also occur. Furthermore, cervicitis also increases the risk of contamination by the HIV virus.
