What you need to know about Cervicitis!

Have you ever experienced a change in vaginal discharge, or any discomfort or itching? These are actually things that many women experience, but are not talked about much. So today we are going to talk about such a common, but worrying condition. That is cervical inflammation, or in medical terms, cervicitis . Don't be scared when you hear this name. Let's talk about everything simply and clearly.

What exactly is cervicitis?

Simply put, cervicitis is when your cervix becomes swollen or inflamed. The cervix is ​​the narrow part of your uterus that opens into your vagina. Just as our throats become red, swollen, and sore when we have an infection, the cervix can also become swollen, red, and bleed easily due to an infection or other condition.

When this condition occurs, sometimes a yellow or grayish discharge from the vagina may appear. There may also be slight bleeding during menstruation or after sex, and pain during sex. But surprisingly, some women may have this condition without experiencing any symptoms .

That's why we always say that it's important to be aware of your body's normal state. Because then you can quickly recognize even the smallest abnormality. Since cervicitis is a very common condition, a doctor can easily detect it during a routine examination. Therefore, even if you think you have no problems, it's very important to get medical tests done on time.

Are there different types of this?

Yes, there are two main types of cervicitis. They are classified according to how it occurs and the duration of it.

1. Acute Cervicitis: This is a condition that starts suddenly. It is often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or other bacterial infections. In this type, the symptoms are very obvious. It can usually be completely cured with antibiotics.

2. Chronic Cervicitis: This condition lasts for several months. The symptoms are not as severe, or there may be no symptoms at all. It is not caused by a sexually transmitted infection. Instead, it is caused by things like feminine hygiene products, latex in condoms, or cervical caps that are left in the vagina for too long.

To understand easily, let's look at the difference between these two types.

How do I know if I have Cervicitis?

This is difficult to confirm on your own. The only way to know for sure whether you have cervicitis is to see a doctor and get tested. However, if you have these symptoms, you should definitely be concerned.

• Abnormal vaginal discharge: A discharge that is yellow, white, or gray, looks like pus, and may have an unpleasant odor.
• Itching around the vagina .
• Abnormal bleeding: Light spotting between menstrual cycles or after sexual intercourse.
• Pain during sexual intercourse (medically known as ``Dyspareunia'').

What are the main causes of cervicitis?

As we discussed earlier, this can be affected by both infectious and non-infectious causes.

Infectious Causes

Acute cervicitis is often caused by infections that are transmitted from one person to another through sexual activity.

• Chlamydia: Chlamydia infection is the cause of about 40% of cervicitis cases.
• Gonorrhea
• Genital Herpes
• Trichomoniasis

Non-infectious Causes

These causes of chronic cervicitis have little to do with sexual activity.

• Allergies caused by chemicals: Reactions caused by things like spermicides, vaginal douches, or latex in condoms.
• The body's response to vaginal devices: such as diaphragms, tampons, or vaginal pessaries.
• Bacterial imbalance: An imbalance between the good and bad bacteria that naturally live in the vagina. We also call this condition Bacterial Vaginosis .

Is this contagious? What happens if it is not treated?

Yes. Acute Cervicitis, a condition caused by an infection, can be passed from you to your sexual partner. Therefore, your doctor will advise you to avoid having sex for at least seven days after you receive treatment or until your symptoms are completely gone.

Cervicitis is not usually a life-threatening condition, but it can lead to serious complications if not treated properly.

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): This is the most serious complication. This infection can spread to the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes. This can cause scarring of these organs, leading to dangerous conditions such as chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy.
• Increased risk of contracting other sexually transmitted diseases: When the cervix is ​​inflamed and swollen, it increases the chance that viruses and bacteria, such as HIV/AIDS, can enter the body and bloodstream.

Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor without ignoring even a minor discomfort.

How does the doctor diagnose and treat this?

When you go to see your doctor, he or she will ask you about your symptoms and perform a pelvic exam. During this exam,

• Check to see if the cervix is ​​red or swollen.
• Check for pus-like discharge.
• They check for inflammation of the vaginal walls.

Then, the doctor will use a cotton swab to take a sample of your vaginal discharge and send it for laboratory testing to determine the exact cause of the infection.

Pap Smear and Cervicitis

One of the questions that many people ask is whether a Pap test can detect this. A Pap test is not a test that looks for cervicitis. It mainly looks for abnormalities (`dysplasia`) in the cells of the cervix that can lead to cancer or precancerous conditions. However, if a Pap test shows inflammation of the cells of the cervix, it may be noted on the report. This can be used by the doctor as a clue that cervicitis may be present.

Treatment methods

Treatment methods depend on the cause of your cervicitis.

• Bacterial infections or STIs: These are treated with antibiotics . In most cases, these medications will completely cure the condition.
• Genital Herpes: If this is the cause, antiviral medications are given to control the symptoms.
• Non-infectious causes: If you have this condition due to an allergy to a product, stopping use of that product usually resolves the problem. If it is due to a device lodged in the vagina, your doctor will remove it and prescribe further treatment if necessary.

Cervicitis usually resolves within two weeks of starting treatment. It is important to take the medication for the full duration as prescribed by your doctor.

Can cervicitis be prevented?

Although it cannot be completely prevented, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk.

• Safe sex: Always using condoms can help prevent sexually transmitted infections.
• Regular medical checkups: Visit a gynecologist at regular intervals and get tested. If you are sexually active, get the necessary tests done.
• Proper hygiene: If you use tampons, diaphragms, etc., remove them at the appropriate times as directed.
• Avoid allergies: If your vaginal area is sensitive, avoid using scented soaps and lotions.

You know your body best. If you have any concerns or even a slight change, don't ignore it. See a doctor and talk about it. That's the best thing you can do.

Cervicitis Sinhala, Vaginal discharge, Women's diseases, Sexual health, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Gynecology