Cervicitis

Definition

Cervicitis is swelling (inflammation) of the end of the uterus (cervix).

Alternative Names

Cervical inflammation; Inflammation - cervix

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Cervicitis is most often caused by an infection. However, in a few cases it may be due to:

• A device inserted into the pelvic area such as:
  • Cervical cap
  • Device to support the uterus (pessary)
  • Diaphragm
• An allergy to spermicides used for birth control or to latex in condoms
• Exposure to a chemical

Cervicitis is very common, affecting more than half of all women at some point during their adult lives. Risks include:

• High-risk sexual behavior
• History of sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• Many sexual partners
• Sex (intercourse) at an early age
• Sexual partner(s) who have engaged in high-risk sexual behavior or have had an STD

STDs that can cause cervicitis include:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Herpes virus (genital herpes)
• Human papilloma virus (genital warts)
• Trichomoniasis

Bacteria (such as staphylococcus and streptococcus) and too much growth of normal bacteria in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis), can also cause cervicitis.

Symptoms

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • After intercourse
  • After menopause
  • Between periods
• Unusual vaginal discharge
  • Does not go away
  • Gray, white, or yellow color
  • May have an odor
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Pain in the vagina
• Pressure or heaviness in the pelvis

Note: There may be no symptoms.

Signs and tests

A pelvic examination may show:

• Discharge from the cervix
• Redness of the cervix
• Swelling (inflammation) of the walls of the vagina

Tests:

• Inspection of the discharge under a microscope (may show candidiasis, trichomoniasis, or bacterial vaginosis)
• Pap smear
• Tests for gonorrhea or chlamydia

Treatment

Treatments include:

• Cryosurgery
• Electrocauterization
• Hormonal therapy (especially in postmenopausal women)
• Laser therapy
• Medication (antibiotics or antifungals)

Expectations (prognosis)

Simple cervicitis usually heals with treatment if the cause is found and there is a treatment for that cause.

Complications

Cervicitis may last for months to years. Cervicitis may lead to pain with intercourse (dyspareunia).

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of cervicitis.

Prevention

Ways to reduce the risk of cervicitis include:

• Avoid chemical irritants such as douches and deodorant tampons.
• Avoid using spermicidal contraceptives, if possible (however, if they are the only form of contraceptive available to you, it is better to practice safer sex by using them). If you use a barrier method of birth control (diaphragm, condoms, cervical caps) with spermicidal jelly, see your health care provider to discuss other methods of birth control before stopping your current method.
• Begin sexual activity at a later age.
• Have sex with just one person (monogamy).
• Make sure that any foreign objects that you insert into your vagina (such as tampons) are placed properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines as to how long to leave the object in, how often to change it, or how often to clean it.