CERVICITIS

General Information

DEFINITION--

Inflammation or infection of the cervix. There are 2 types, and either may be contagious:

• Acute cervicitis is usually a bacterial or viral infection with specific symptoms.
• Chronic cervicitis is a long-term infection that may not have symptoms.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Cervix and mucous membranes covering the cervix.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Females of all ages after adolescence.

> Slight--sometimes unnoticeable--

vaginal discharge.

• Backache.
• Discomfort with urination.
• Discomfort with sexual intercourse. Extensive chronic cervicitis:
• Profuse vaginal discharge.
• Bleeding between menstrual periods.
• Spotting or bleeding after sexual intercourse.

CAUSES

• Acute cervicitis is usually caused by the organisms N. gonorrhoeae or C. trachomatis. Herpes virus can also be a cause.
• Chronic cervicitis is caused by repeated episodes of acute cervicitis or one episode that is not treated long enough to heal completely.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Multiple sexual partners.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Acute or recurrent vaginitis.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Have an annual pelvic examination and Pap smear (See Glossary).
• Wear cotton panties or pantyhose with a cotton crotch. Avoid panties made from non-ventilating materials. Synthetic materials hold in vaginal wetness and warmth, which may trigger vaginal or cervical infections.
• Avoid contracting gonorrhea or other sexually transmitted diseases by having your sexual partner wear a latex condom for intercourse.
• If cervicitis is caused by a sexually transmitted infection, your sexual partner also needs treatment.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and pelvic exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory studies, such as a Pap smear (See Glossary) and culture of the discharge.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment, including destruction of abnormal cells with silver nitrate (chemical used for cautery); cryosurgery (destruction of abnormal tissue by applying freezing temperatures, usually with liquid nitrogen); or electrocautery (destruction of tissue by heat applied with a controlled electric current).

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Cervical polyps.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Untreated cervicitis can spread and cause endometritis (infection of the lining of the uterus) or salpingitis (infection of fallopian tube).
• Malignant change in cervix cells (rare).

PROBABLE OUTCOME--

• Mild cervicitis will heal without treatment.
• Acute cervicitis caused by venereal disease is contagious through sexual intercourse and is curable with medication.
• Most other cases of cervicitis can be cured with treatment. All women with cervicitis need regular checkups until the condition heals.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Use sanitary pads instead of tampons during treatment.
• Don't douche unless your doctor recommends it.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Oral antibiotics if infectious cervicitis suspected.
• Antiviral or antibiotic vaginal creams or suppositories to fight infection.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions, except to avoid sexual relations until your doctor determines that the infection has healed.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of cervicitis.
• During treatment, discomfort persists longer than 1 week or symptoms worsen.
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding or swelling develops during or after treatment.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.