Information From Your Health Care Provider

CERVICITIS

Basic information

description

Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix. The cervix is about an inch long and is the narrow end of the uterus where it meets the vagina. Cervicitis is common and occurs more often in women under age 25.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Often there are no symptoms.
Vaginal discharge. It may be thick and creamy, foamy and greenish-white, white and curd-like, or thin and grey.
There may be bleeding after sexual intercourse.
Pelvic pain may occur with severe infection.

causes

Infection. Cervicitis is most often caused by an infection (a sexually transmitted disease [STD]). Bacteria infections, Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis, are the most common. Herpes simplex or human papillomavirus (HPV) can also be the cause.
Allergic reaction (such as to latex).
Injury or irritation.

risk increases with

Multiple sexual partners.
Practicing unsafe sex.
Women who begin having sex at an early age.
History of sexually transmitted diseases.
Having sexual partners who engage in high-risk sexual behavior or have an STD.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Practice safe sex. Begin sexual activity at a later age. Have sex with just one person.
Avoid sexually transmitted diseases. Do not engage in sexual intercourse with an infected partner. Have your sexual partner use a condom during sexual activity.
Avoid irritants to the cervix (e.g., douches or sprays).
Have routine pelvic exams and Pap smears to detect cervicitis at an early stage.

expected outcomes

Cervicitis typically heals with treatment.

possible complications

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The infection spreads to other parts of the reproductive system. PID sometimes does not cause symptoms. It can lead to infertility.
Untreated or prolonged cervicitis may make it difficult or impossible for a woman to become pregnant.
Pregnant women who develop cervicitis are at risk for miscarriage or preterm delivery. The newborn is at risk for serious infections.
HPV infection is a risk factor for cervical cancer.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do a pelvic exam. Medical tests usually include a culture of the vaginal discharge and a Pap smear.
Treatment is with drugs to cure any infection. If a sexually transmitted disease caused the cervicitis, your sexual partner must also be treated.
If the cause is other than infection, appropriate treatment will be provided.
Use sanitary pads instead of tampons during treatment. Avoid douches.
Repeated or prolonged cervicitis may require other treatment (e.g., surgery to treat infected cervix tissue).

medications

Oral (or sometimes injected) antibiotics will be prescribed for bacterial infection. Antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of some birth control pills.
Antiviral drugs may be prescribed for viral infection.
Topical drug therapy may be used in some cases.

activity

Avoid sexual relations for 7 days (or as advised) after treatment has started.
If your partner needs treatment, do not have sexual relations until the treatment is completed.