Cervicitis
DEFINITION
Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of your uterus that opens into the vagina.
It’s possible to have cervicitis and not experience any signs or symptoms. Among the signs and symptoms women sometimes notice are bleeding between menstrual periods and changes in vaginal discharge.
Often, cervicitis results from a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. Cervicitis can develop from noninfectious causes, too.
Successful treatment of cervicitis involves treating the underlying cause of the inflammation.
CAUSES
Possible causes of cervicitis include:
- Sexually transmitted infections. Most often, the bacterial and viral infections that cause cervicitis are transmitted by sexual contact. Cervicitis can result from common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and genital herpes.
- Allergic reactions. An allergy, either to contraceptive spermicides or to latex in condoms, may lead to cervicitis. A reaction to feminine hygiene products, such as douches or feminine deodorants, also can cause cervicitis.
- Bacterial overgrowth. An overgrowth of some of the bacteria that are normally present in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis) can lead to cervicitis.
SYMPTOMS
Most often, cervicitis causes no signs and symptoms, and you may only learn you have the condition after a Pap test or a biopsy for another condition. If you do have signs and symptoms, they may include:
- Large amounts of vaginal discharge that’s green, brown or yellow and pus-like and that sometimes has an unpleasant odor
- Frequent, painful urination
- Pain during intercourse
- Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, not associated with a menstrual period
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have:
- Persistent, unusual vaginal discharge
- Nonmenstrual vaginal bleeding
- Pain during intercourse
