Chronic cervicitis is constant irritation of the cervix, characterized by persistent vaginal discharge for at least three months, even though previous infections have been treated and an infectious cause has been excluded.
This type of cervicitis mainly affects women of childbearing age, and unlike acute cervicitis, which can be caused by sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis or genital herpes, chronic cervicitis is usually caused by allergies or trauma, but can also occur due to HPV.
The treatment of chronic cervicitis must be carried out by a gynecologist, who must assess whether it was caused by an allergy or whether there is a virus or even bacteria involved to initiate appropriate treatment, according to its cause.
Symptoms of chronic cervicitis
The main symptoms of chronic cervicitis are:
- Vaginal discharge for three months or more;
- Swelling and redness in the vagina;
- Itching in the genital region;
- Pain in the uterus, at the foot of the belly;
- Frequent urination;
- Pain during sexual intercourse;
- Feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvic region;
- Yellowish or greenish discharge when bacteria is involved.
In most cases, chronic cervicitis does not cause symptoms, which is why it is important that all women have at least 1 gynecology consultation per year to check if there are any changes that require treatment.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of chronic cervicitis is made by a gynecologist through evaluation of symptoms, health history, history of acute cervicitis and previous treatment of acute cervicitis, in addition to a gynecological examination.
The gynecologist can diagnose chronic cervicitis by observing the entire intimate region with the vaginal speculum and the results of tests such as vaginal smears, pap smears or biopsy, for example. See the main tests requested by the gynecologist.
Possible causes
Chronic cervicitis is caused by constant irritation to the cervix due to physical trauma or irritating agents, which can cause allergies or inflammation of the cervix.
The main causes of chronic cervicitis are:
- DIU;
- Diaphragm;
- Latex condom;
- Spermicide;
- Intimate gel;
- Tampons;
- Vaginal showers frequently;
- Pessaries;
- Soaps.
Chronic inflammation of the cervix can also be caused by the presence of a Nabothian cyst or HPV infection, which is transmitted through unprotected intimate contact. See how to identify and treat Naboth’s cyst.
Furthermore, women who have already had some type of sexually transmitted infection (STI), and those who have intimate contact without a condom with several partners, are those most at risk of developing this disease.
Is chronic cervicitis HPV?
Chronic cervicitis can be caused by the HPV virus but is not always the case, and can be caused by other situations, such as allergies or other viruses or bacteria. Find out what the symptoms, transmission and how HPV is treated.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for chronic cervicitis must be carried out under the guidance of a gynecologist who may recommend the use of antibiotics to be taken and antibiotic ointments to be applied inside the vagina, which reduce uterine infection when the cause is bacteria. Antiviral medicines can be used in case of infection caused by viruses. Learn more about treating cervicitis.
During treatment, it is recommended that women maintain good hygiene in the intimate region, washing only the external region daily, with the intimate soap recommended by the doctor, changing panties every day and wearing cotton panties.
In addition, the gynecologist should recommend avoiding vaginal douches, tampons, diaphragms, spermicides and scented soaps to reduce the risk of irritation.
In the case of irritation caused by the use of latex condoms, the doctor may recommend the use of polyurethane or polyisoprene condoms, or the female condom, which must be used in all sexual relations to avoid sexually transmitted infections. See other types of condoms that do not contain latex.
When drug treatment cannot cure the disease, the gynecologist may also recommend a loop surgical excision to remove the part of the cervical tissue that is injured. Normally the surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and the woman returns home the same day.
Bibliography
- HESTER, E. E.; MIDDLEMAN, A. B. A Clinical Conundrum: Chronic Cervicitis. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 32. 2; 342-344, 2019
- ACOSTA-RIOS, MP; et al. Effect of Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract on chronic cervicitis in patients with HPV infection. J Med Life. 10. 4; 237–243, 2017
- MATTSON, SK; et al. Chronic Cervicitis: Presenting Features and Response to Therapy. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 20. 3; e30-3, 2016
- M.A., F.; et al. Characterization of allergic inflammation in chronic uterine cervicitis. Clin Exp Immunol. 207. 1; 44-52, 2022
- IQBAL, U.; WILLS, C. IN: STATPEARLS (INTERNET). TREASURE ISLAND (FL): STATPEARLS PUBLISHING. Cervicitis. 2022. Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562193/>. Accessed on 29 Dec 2022
