WHAT IS CERVICITIS?
Cervicitis is an inflammation (pamamaga) of the cervix. The cervix is about 2 to 3 cm long, found at the inner end of the vagina, and it acts like a gate to the uterus. It feels like the tip of your nose but becomes very soft during childbirth and opens up to allow the fetus to exit the womb. Inflammation happens when the body tries to protect itself from injury, irritation, or infection. That’s why, in cervicitis, the cervix looks red rather than pale pink and there may be an unusual discharge or bleeding, vaginal itchiness, a feeling of heaviness, lower abdominal pain, and pain during intercourse. It is not unusual, however, for the woman to feel no symptoms at all.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
Cervicitis can be caused by several things including infections like herpes virus (which causes genital herpes), human papilloma virus (genital warts), and yeast infections. It can also be a reaction to a chemical like a vaginal douche; a reaction to a birth control device inserted into the vagina like a diaphragm; an allergy to a spermicide or to latex in condoms; irritation from a foreign object, like a forgotten tampon. Other causes include intercourse at a very early age, having many sexual partners, or injury during intercourse.
HOW SERIOUS IS IT?
Knowing how you got cervicitis will help you determine how serious it is. If it’s due to an irritating chemical or product, then stopping its use will quickly alleviate the symptoms. If it’s an infection caused by a sexually transmitted disease, discuss this with your partner as he may need treatment too.
After you’re done with the medication your doctor gave you, go for a follow-up checkup. Your doctor will want to see if the cervix has improved and whether further medication is necessary. If your cervicitis lasts for a long time, or if it recurs frequently, your doctor will consider other treatment modalities.
Want to learn how to prevent cervicitis? Scroll through the gallery below.
Read these articles for more sexual health-related information:
- What You Should Know about Irregular Menstrual Periods
- How to get tested for a sexually transmitted infection
- 10 Stupid Mistakes Smart Women Make about Contraception
- What Every Woman Should Know about Ovarian Cancer
- Hot GirlTalk Topic: What Every Woman Should Know about Cervical Cancer
- Who's afraid of the Ob-Gyne?
- How to Pick the Right OB-GYN for You
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
(First published in Good Housekeeping Magazine, Good Health section as "Health Check" in March 2007; adapted for use on Female Network)
CONTINUE READING BELOW
watch now
Trending on Network
