Cervicitis - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Cervicitis is a common disease which means an inflammation of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of your uterus that opens into the vagina. A number of factors that may lead to this condition includes infections, chemical or physical irritations, and allergies.

Cervicitis Causes

Cervicitis can result from many factors, including:

Sexually transmitted infections (STI): Most frequently, the microbial and infections that result in cervicitis are transmitted by sexual contact. The most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that cause cervicitis includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and genital herpes.

Allergic reactions: An allergic reaction, either to contraceptive spermicides or to latex in condoms, can cause cervicitis. A reaction to feminine hygiene products, such as douches or feminine deodorants, can also lead to cervicitis.

Bacterial overgrowth: Cervicitis can also result from an overgrowth of some of the bacteria that are normally present in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis).

Cervicitis Symptoms

No signs and symptoms will be experienced by patients with cervicitis most often. One will only know she may have the condition after a Pap test or a biopsy for another condition. If symptoms present, they may include:

Frequent and painful urination
Large amounts of vaginal discharge that's in green, brown or yellow color and pus-like and that sometimes has an unpleasant odor
Pain during intercourse
Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, not associated with a menstrual period

Cervicitis Diagnosis

A pelvic exam is usually performed by your doctor if he suspects you have cervicitis. He can get a closer look at the cervix by this way. The doctor will probably also swab the cervix to collect vaginal fluids or to see how easily it bleeds. The following questions about your sexual history will be also asked by your doctor:
1. Whether or not you've had sex without a condom
2. The number of partners you've had in the last 60 days
3. The kind of contraception you used

Cervicitis Treatment

Treatment may be not necessary for cervicitis if it’s caused by something other than a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The inflammation of cervicitis can be often cleared up after taking prescription medications. The common treatment may include:
1.    Antibiotic drugs for a bacterial infection such as gonorrhea or chlamydia.
2.    Herbal Medicines like Fuyan Pill
3.    An antiviral medication, for a viral infection such as genital herpes. However, antiviral medication doesn't cure herpes, which is a chronic condition and may be passed on to your partner at any time.

You need to abstain from sexual intercourse until you finish with the treatment suggested by your doctor.