- May 25, 2016
- Posted by: emobile
- Category: Trending Topic
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Emobileclinic Trending Topic: Cervicitis
Cervicitis is a common infection of the lower genital tract. It is the inflammation of the cervix (this is the neck and outlet of a woman’s uterus). Many cases of cervicitis go untreated because women who have the infection do not know they do. Often there are no obvious symptoms.
If untreated, cervicitis may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, spontaneous abortion, cervical cancer, or other complications during the delivery of a baby.
Causes
Vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted disease (such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and trichomoniasis)
HIV, infection with the herpes virus (genital herpes), and human papillomavirus (HPV, genital warts)
Sexual relations at an early age or engage in high-risk sexual behavior with many partners or have a history of sexually transmitted diseases.
Injury or irritation (a reaction to the chemicals in douches and contraceptives or a forgotten tampon) also can cause the disease.
Allergy to contraceptive
Spermicides or to latex in condoms that leads to cervicitis.
Symptoms
Vaginal discharge that becomes more pronounced immediately following your menstrual period.
Vaginal bleeding
Itching
Irritation of the external genitals
Pain during intercourse
Bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse or between periods
A burning sensation during urination
Lower back pain or pain low in the abdomen, sometimes felt only during sexual intercourse
Pus-like discharge with an unpleasant odor, accompanied by intense vaginal itchiness or abdominal pain
When to Seek Medical Care?
Call your health care professional if you have the following symptoms:
Yellowish pus-like vaginal discharge or any abnormal vaginal discharge associated with pain or itching.
Difficult or painful urination
Increased frequency in urination
Pelvic pain
Bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse or between periods
Pain low in the abdomen, sometimes felt only during sexual intercourse
Vaginal discharge
Fevers, chills, nausea and vomiting, dizziness
Diagnosis
Clerking of medical history where questions on your medical problems, contraceptives you use, medications you are taking, family history of disease, your sexual activity, last menstrual period, and whether you have been pregnant and have given birth will be asked.
Physical examination where you will be placed on your back, with your bottom at the edge of the table, and your legs elevated and supported by stirrups.
The doctor will inspect your external genitalia for redness, swelling, or any signs of irritation or injury.
An instrument called a speculum will be inserted into your vagina to hold the vaginal walls apart, permitting an inspection of your cervix and vaginal lining for redness, irritation, unusual discharge, or sores.
Pap smear by swabbing the cervix. Test for gonorrhea and Chlamydia and possibly a slide preparation for the diagnosis of other infections. The Pap test can be used to rule out the possibility of cervical cancer or precancerous changes.
A biopsy (a sample of tissue is taken) might be recommended if your cervix appears abnormal.
Colposcopy is a procedure that uses a binocular-like instrument to get a magnified view of the surface of the cervix
Risk factors for the development of cervicitis
Starting intercourse at an early age
High-risk sexual behaviors
History of sexually transmitted diseases
Having multiple sex partners.
Treatment
Use of antibiotics
Use of antiviral agents such as acyclovir
Cauterized by electrocoagulation (heat)
Cryotherapy (freezing)